Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service<br /><br />As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.<br /><br />If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to cut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.<br /><br /><br /><br />What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?<br /><br />A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.<br /><br />The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.<br /><br />CP12 is the abbreviation for 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 and tests, the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the inspection.<br /><br />If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be shut off until the issue is fixed.<br /><br />If a tenant does not allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted it is an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's more common to write a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be involved. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the process of eviction.<br /><br />How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they supply 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. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are completed by a certified engineer.<br /><br />The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.<br /><br />If a landlord does not provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.<br /><br />Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.<br /><br />Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice before they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.<br /><br />What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offense that could cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.<br /><br />Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).<br /><br />This is an important document that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.mkgassafety.co.uk/landlord-gas-safety-certificates-milton-keynes/">MK Gas Safety</a> must give an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.<br /><br />In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord should fix it. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.<br /><br />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 decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.<br /><br />How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they install in the building. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.<br /><br />Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will check the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.<br /><br />The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.<br /><br />It's important that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.<br /><br />Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off gas lines when necessary.<br /><br />