Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to shut 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 confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions required to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who conducted the test.

The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue has been solved.

It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety test to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will involve. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should be sure to are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has 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 a time of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.

A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

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

It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger for tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant must be able to access and keep. It contains information on the gas installations in a rental property and also details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying problems with appliances or installations and make sure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. The rules around this are applicable 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 an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also consider having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It's important that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off your gas supplies when necessary.