The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will ask permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required 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 are in compliance with safety standards.

Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.

CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant refuses to permit access to the homeowner gas safety certificate safety checks to be carried out, it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.

How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety certificate duplicate safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a qualified engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed annually.

A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission, if required. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may pose a risk to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety document, that is also known as the 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. The document contains information about gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure that they know how long does a gas safety certificate last to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords are required to provide the gas safety report to their tenants, 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 that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate can be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 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 ruling was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It is also a good idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the gas safety certificate replacement Safety check being completed.

It's important that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.

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. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.