10 Misconceptions Your Boss Shares About Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service

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 checks. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.

What is what is  gas safe certificate check ?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to organize a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.

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

CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that must be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who performed the test.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem is resolved.

If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of a criminal offence. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be required. This can make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord might need to consider starting the process of eviction.

How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must make sure that they are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.

A landlord who does not provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital 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.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords are also required to give tenants 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 necessary. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?

In essence it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into the property. Failure to do this is an offence that can cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on 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 then 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 should keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rented property and also details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property.  discover this  must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should repair it. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a certified 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. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with 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's a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off the gas supply in case of need.