Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service: 11 Things You're Not Doing

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants. If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches. What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order 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) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. 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 shows the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the check. If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem has been resolved. It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety test to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally easier to simply send a well written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure. How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate? Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all flues 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 any leaks of gas in the property. This is an essential responsibility for landlords and they should ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer. The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued 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 annually. A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it. It is also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed. Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord should write to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate? In short it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failing to do so is an offense that could cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants upon request. Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate). This is an important document that every tenant must take possession of and keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rented property and also details regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and make sure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked. Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or six months in prison. Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules governing this apply to private, council and housing association landlords as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). In June 2017 in June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was made in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move into the property. How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection. Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a 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, who can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance. The CP12 is sometimes known as “landlord's gas safety certificate” however it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed. It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed. Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before 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 check efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas technician can legally remove defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.