Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires that 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 cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they 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. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and test and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the test.

The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues 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 will have to be turned off until the problem is solved.

It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This should make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the eviction process.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren’t gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified 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 conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed annually.

If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.

It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be ‘at risk’ during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if necessary. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord must write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What is the consequence if I don’t have a Gas Safety Certificate?

In short, it is the landlord’s legal obligation to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations require that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their installation or appliances and make sure that they are aware of how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.

Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. This is the case for 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 illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move into the property.

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

Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they install within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It’s also a good idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will examine the seals of boiler burners as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is often called “landlord’s gas safety certificate” however it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer’s presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, it’s the landlord or letting agent’s responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.

Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home’s gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.