Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.

Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.

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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that need to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide 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 has been fixed.

It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it's often easier to send a letter that describes why the check is important and what's required. This should make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, if not, the landlord may need to consider starting the eviction process.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

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

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be given to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.

A landlord who is unable to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants ask for 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 annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger 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 must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission if necessary. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a vital document that every tenant should be able to access and keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rented property as well as information regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and have them tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules governing this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017 in June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal for mkgassafety landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certification. The decision was made in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move in.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified 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, since it will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of 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' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is essential that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.

Tenants should always ask to see 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 the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.