Watch Out: How Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Is Gaining Ground, And How To Respond

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.

If  More Material  considers an appliance or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.

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 in the property that is rented have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once a year.  More Material  registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.

Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.

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

The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary the landlord has the right to 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 important and what's involved. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. This is an essential obligation and landlords must make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.

A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the documents in case a tenant requests it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as  being at-risk and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord must write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't 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 have a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations require that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue an 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 must keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property, including when they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.

In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move into it.

How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should consider having a boiler inspection done at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the boiler burner's seals as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is crucial 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 is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off your gas supply in the event of a need.