Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

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

If the engineer believes that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to shut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and in compliance with the safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of 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 any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.

CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is resolved.

If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas safety checks to be carried out, it is a criminal offence. A landlord gas safety certificate how often can apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter stating the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord may have to think about starting the eviction process.

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 are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has 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 a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the documents in the event that a tenant asks for it.

It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant is still refusing the engineer entry, then the landlord must consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

In essence it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may present a danger to tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant must be able to access and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.

Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules governing this apply to private, council and housing association landlords and also to 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 a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.

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

Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed gas safe installation certificate Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also consider having a boiler inspection done at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service and gas safety certificate service for an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.

The CP12 is often called "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.

Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas supply when necessary.