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Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants. If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches. What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate? A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards. The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease. CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that need to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who conducted the inspection. If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be turned off until the problem has been resolved. If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted it is a criminal offence. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may have to think about starting the process of eviction. How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate? In the law, landlords and letting agents are required 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 leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer. The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service is issued to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually. If a landlord does not provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must keep a copy in case tenants request it. It's also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed. Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is still refusing the engineer entry, then the landlord must consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate? In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification before tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request. Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. They will issue an 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 should get a hold of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rental property as well as information on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked. Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment. The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and arrange for them being tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). 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 who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move into it. How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection. It is also recommended for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance. The CP12 is often called “landlord's gas safety certificate” however it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed. It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if needed. Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to ensure that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.