10 Things Everybody Has To Say About Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas supply 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 that are in the rented property were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation used 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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is a criminal offence. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is important and what's required. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to initiate the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should make sure that they are inspected for gas by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants request it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant is still refusing the engineer entry, then the landlord must 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 a landlord to make sure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offence that can lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. It includes information about the gas installations in the rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both current and new, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should fix it. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. gas safe building regulations compliance certificate can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as details of any problems 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 is essential that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
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. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off gas lines in the event of a need.