10 Things We Hate About Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service
landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service (reviews over at www.metooo.com)
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
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 rented property have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and that they comply with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that must be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer who conducted the check.
If the gas safety certificate landlord Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue has been solved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be involved. This should entice 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?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to carry out an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they must ensure they are completed by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas safe building regulations compliance certificate inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice before they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord must send a letter to them explaining 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 could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
what is gas safety certificate happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants on 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, an engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant should get a hold of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to get gas safety certificate to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules governing this apply to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas safety certificate duplicate appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be completed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection in conjunction with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the seals on boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety checks and details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove defective equipment or shut off the gas supply in case of need.
