landlord gas safety certificate And boiler service (postheaven.net)
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rental property have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the inspection.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue is fixed.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it is more common to send a letter that explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.
how long does gas safety certificate last often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 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 penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the documentation in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice before they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification before tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of 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 then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. The document contains information about gas safety certificate replacement installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. 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 illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they install within the 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 also think about conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It lists the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off gas lines when necessary.