Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, 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) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that need to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who performed the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply should be turned off until the issue is resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to send a letter which describes why the check is vital and what is required. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. click through the up coming website is an essential obligation and landlords must make sure that they are inspected for gas by a licensed gas 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 inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have 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 prior to the time tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations require that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could pose a risk for tenants. They will then 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 take possession of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing any alarm that doesn't work. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue 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 with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and 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 includes the results of the safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.