Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. gas safety certificate cp12 is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all the gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out 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 employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests as well as the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the check.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be corrected to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue is solved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is a criminal offence. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is often easier to write a letter that explains why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer 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 property. This is an essential responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they are inspected for gas by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
A landlord who is unable to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant refuses the engineer's entry the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in the rental property and also details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
gas safety certificate cp12 to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them checked every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules governing this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, and also to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be completed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals on boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before 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 check efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas technician can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.