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Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. You must also provide a copy to your tenants. If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches. What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and in compliance with safety standards. Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start 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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the check. If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue has been solved. It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety check to be carried out. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they will entail. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process. How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate? In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are conducted by a certified engineer. The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which confirms that an engineer has completed a gas check 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 a time of 12 months and must be renewed each year. If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants ask for it. Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed. Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. gas certificates allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission, if required. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what would happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is still refusing then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate? It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could result in landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request. Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During next page , an engineer will identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate). This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. The document contains information about gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested. Landlords are required to provide 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 give a 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. Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being checked every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation. 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 certification. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in. How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use 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. It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance. The CP12 is often called “landlord's gas safety certificate”, although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed. It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed. Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer has the necessary qualifications 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 allowed to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas supply in the event of a need.