Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

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 a gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.

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

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 lists the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the test.

The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be turned off until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant does not permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of a criminal offence. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to send a clearly written letter stating the reason why the checks are made and what they'll involve. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, if not, the landlord may have to think about starting the process of eviction.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is an essential responsibility for landlords and they should ensure that they are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that an inspection of the gas supply has been conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.

If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and recommend 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 allows tenants time to prepare and request permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

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

It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the landlord gas safety certificate how often Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and make arrangements for them to be checked every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. The rules around this apply to council, private and housing association landlords as well as licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).

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 a valid gas safety certification. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

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

Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they install in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also recommended for landlords to look into having a boiler service and gas safety certificate service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to 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 crucial that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing. 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 your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. Be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.