17 Reasons Not To Ignore Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rented property were inspected by an experienced gas safe register duplicate certificate engineer. Landlords are legally required to organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and in compliance 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 every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out 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 lists the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are carried out and what is a landlord gas safety certificate they will involve. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are conducted by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens in the event that they do homeowners need a gas safety certificate not comply. If the tenant is still refusing the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offence that can cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas safety certificate cp12 appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations in the rental property and also details regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to repair it. 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 certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals on boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally disconnect the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.