Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that the rented property's gas safety certificate landlord appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.

Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.

CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.

The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out it is a criminal offence. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it's more common to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are vital and what is involved. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, if not, the landlord might be required to begin the eviction process.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should make sure that they are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.

A landlord who is unable to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant requests it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to a landlord gas safety certificate cost being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also state that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure that they are aware of how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

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

Landlords should consider conducting a boiler inspection in conjunction with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is essential that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access the agent or landlord gas safety certificate uk must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.