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 undergo annual inspections. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.<br /><br />If the engineer determines that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to shut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.<br /><br />What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety standards.<br /><br />The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.<br /><br />CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that need to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer that conducted the test.<br /><br />If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue has been solved.<br /><br />If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow 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 encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and if not, the landlord may have to think about starting the eviction process.<br /><br />How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />By law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are conducted by a certified engineer.<br /><br />The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be presented to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.<br /><br />A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant requests it.<br /><br />It's also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.<br /><br /><br /><br />Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter the landlord must send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is still refusing, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.<br /><br />What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />In essence, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of the gas <a href="https://www.mkgassafety.co.uk/landlord-gas-safety-certificates-buckingham/">safety certificates</a> to their tenants upon request.<br /><br />Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).<br /><br />This is a vital document that all tenants should be able to access and keep. It contains information on the gas appliances in the rental property and also details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.<br /><br />Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.<br /><br />In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.<br /><br />In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was by reference to the law which states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property before tenants move into.<br /><br />How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To comply with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.<br /><br />Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.<br /><br />The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.<br /><br />It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.<br /><br />Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supply when necessary.<br /><br />