Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Explained In Less Than 140 Characters

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that any appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.

Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply should be turned off until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted, it is a criminal offence. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a well worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will entail. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

The law requires that landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual safety check of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.

If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access, the landlord should write to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of a landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service to ensure that their property is equipped with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move in. Failure to comply with the law can lead to the landlord gas safety certificate price being charged or fined severely. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant must take possession of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety certificate grace period safety to their tenants, current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules around this apply to private, council and housing association landlords and also to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also recommended for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will examine the seals on boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It's important that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.

Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.