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Carr Gaines posted an update 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. gas safety certificate uk must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection every year 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 provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be given to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps required to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer who conducted the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted, it is an offence that is criminal. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it’s more common to send a letter that explains why the checks are vital and what is involved. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 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 a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for annual inspections. 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 provide their tenants with at least 24 hours’ notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what happens if they don’t follow through. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don’t receive 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 in. In the absence of this, it’s an offense that could lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that all tenants should take possession of and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. The rules for this apply to private, council and housing association landlords and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was by reference to the law which states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with 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 for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It’s also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as “landlord’s gas safety certificate” however it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It’s important that the landlords or letting agents allow 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 the property and explain that the engineer is there to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access the agent or landlord must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in, as this will prove that they’re qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.