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Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rented property have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning 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 includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and name of the engineer who conducted the test.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem is fixed.

If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted it is a criminal offence. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will entail. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the eviction process.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are an essential 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 indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.

A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and shut off 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 gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access the landlord must inform them why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

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

In essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into the property. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations stipulate that landlords are required to provide copies of the 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 the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may pose a risk to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is an important document that every tenant should get a hold of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.

Landlords must give an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord should fix it. The rules around this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.

How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It lists the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. 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 landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.

Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises, as this will prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.