Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer considers 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 (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to 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 includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and title of the engineer that conducted the test.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have 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 an offence that is criminal. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they will involve. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

The law requires that landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord gas safety certificates, and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas safety certificate cp12 supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.

A landlord who does not provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy of the documents in the event that a tenant asks for it.

It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant refuses entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate 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 furnish copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue a 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 must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and make sure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must provide 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 the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. This is applicable to private landlords, councils 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 a valid gas safety certification. The decision was in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas safety certificate grace period appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is essential that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.

Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to ensure that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.