As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rented property have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to 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 pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and that they comply with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for 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 contains 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 test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is a criminal offence. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is more common to write a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be required. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. This is an essential responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if necessary. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter the landlord should inform them why it is necessary and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may 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?
In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certification before tenants move into the property. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, Mkgassafety.Co.Uk a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant should take possession of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home as well as the date they were tested as well as 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 contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. The rules around this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords as well as 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 decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they install in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals and look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.
