Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected every year. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

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

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and that they comply with the safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 gas safety certificate homeowner Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.

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

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem is solved.

It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety test to be conducted. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to send a letter that explains why the checks are essential and what will be required. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, if not, the landlord may have to think about starting the eviction process.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should ensure that they 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 confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.

A landlord who is unable to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

In short it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law can result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also state that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could present a danger to tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations in the rental property and also details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing, 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 their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. The rules governing this are applicable 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 a valid gas safety certification. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas certificates checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It's also recommended for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document not 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's a good idea inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if required.

Tenants should always 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 safety certificate homeowner systems and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off your gas supply when necessary.