Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service<br /><br />As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.<br /><br />If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.<br /><br />What is a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.<br /><br />The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. <a href="https://squareblogs.net/whitecomma92/15-current-trends-to-watch-for-gas-safety-certificate-cp12">safety certificates</a> must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.<br /><br />CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions required to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the test.<br /><br />If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue is fixed.<br /><br />It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety check to be conducted. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.<br /><br /><br /><br />How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a certified engineer.<br /><br />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 inspection within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord, and should be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed every year.<br /><br />A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant needs it.<br /><br />Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.<br /><br />Landlords must also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.<br /><br />What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />In short it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.<br /><br />Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.<br /><br />This is an important document that every tenant must be able to access and keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rented property and also details about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.<br /><br />Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.<br /><br />In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to repair it. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as 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 a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into.<br /><br />How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?<br /><br />Landlords have a legal responsibility 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 be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the building. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.<br /><br />It's also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the seals of boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.<br /><br />The CP12 document is commonly called 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 problems 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.<br /><br />It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should 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 prove that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supply in the event of a need.<br /><br />