my explanation and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rental property were inspected by an accredited 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 out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is fixed.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which describes why the check is vital and what is required. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are an essential responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are completed by a certified 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 last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access the landlord must inform them why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is unwilling to 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 you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move in. 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 the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a risk 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 a crucial document that every tenant should keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize problems with appliances or installations and make sure that they know how contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, 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 to provide the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and make arrangements for them to be checked every month. gas safety certificates is responsible for fixing any alarm that doesn't work. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
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 a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's job is to protect 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 go to the property and force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off gas lines when necessary.