5 People You Should Meet In The Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Industry

landlord safety certificate Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

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

If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is immediate danger they will ask permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all of the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.

CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems 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 dangerous, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem is resolved.

It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may be required to begin the eviction process.

How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

By law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should be sure to are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.

A landlord who fails to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant needs it.

It's also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry the landlord must inform them why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

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

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. Infractions to this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. 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 property of the landlord to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial piece of documentation that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords must give 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 tenure. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and arrange for them being tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. This applies 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 illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificates safety certificate and it must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document within 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 educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas technician can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.