Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning 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 outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that must be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who conducted the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems 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 immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue is resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they'll involve. This can make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their 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. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are conducted by a certified 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 within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission if necessary. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property 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 crucial document that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rented property as well as information regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must 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 decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. mouse click the next web page is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues that they install within the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also recommended for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety checks and details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
gas safety certificate and boiler service that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is qualified to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove defective equipment or shut off the gas supply in case of need.