Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service<br /><br />As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that 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 considers an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.<br /><br />What is a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.<br /><br />The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas 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 start of their lease.<br /><br />CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.<br /><br />The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected to make it safe to use. If <a href="https://www.mkgassafety.co.uk/landlord-gas-safety-certificates-buckingham/">click through the following page</a> is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is fixed.<br /><br />If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out it is a criminal offence. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a well written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This should make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, if not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.<br /><br />How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a licensed gas engineer.<br /><br />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 within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.<br /><br />If a landlord is unable 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 carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.<br /><br />Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.<br /><br />What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />In essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their home has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.<br /><br />Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.<br /><br />This is a vital document that every tenant must be able to access 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 installation and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.<br /><br />Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, 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 starts. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.<br /><br />In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. If an alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.<br /><br />In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into.<br /><br />How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?<br /><br />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 under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.<br /><br />It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.<br /><br />The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.<br /><br />It is essential that the landlord or letting agent only 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 explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if necessary.<br /><br />Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises to prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.<br /><br />