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As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the
gas safety certificate cp12 Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be turned off until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant does not permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to send a clearly worded letter explaining the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they will entail. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, if otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they must ensure they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed every year.
A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant refuses entry to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it is the
landlord gas safety certificate cost's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger for tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the
gas safety certificate what is checked installations of the rental property as well as information regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them tested each month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all gas appliances are functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at 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.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's job is to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord 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 allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supply when necessary.