As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test and the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the check.
The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue is solved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it's often easier to send a letter which clarifies why the checks are important and what's involved. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are carried out by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which confirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 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 period of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the documentation in case a tenant needs 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 in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if necessary. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move in. Infractions to the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas installations of a rented property as well as information about when they were last tested and when they expire. It can assist tenants in identifying problems with appliances or installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, current and new, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. This is applicable 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 illegal 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 an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply for use within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.
