Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected annually. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.
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 given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is click the up coming post used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety test to be conducted. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to simply send a well worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are made and what they'll involve. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a certified 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 conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that 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. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law can result in the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety records 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 be a threat to tenants. gas safety certificate duplicate will issue a 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 keep. It includes information about the gas installations of the rental property and also details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both current and new, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord should fix it. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually 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 as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.