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Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, 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 appliance or installation is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches. What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate? A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety regulations. The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenure. CP12 is the abbreviation used for 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 and the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test. If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to make it 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 is fixed. If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas safety checks to be carried out it is a criminal offence. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's often easier to send a letter which describes why the check is important and what's involved. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction. How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate? Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply 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 an essential obligation for landlords and they must ensure they are completed by a certified engineer. The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed annually. If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it. Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to 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 classify it as such and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed. Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if necessary. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord must send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act. What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate? In essence it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to this law can result in the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request. Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate. This is a vital document that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rented property as well as information on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can assist tenants in identifying problems with appliances or installations and ensure that they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested. Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, current and new, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or even six months in prison. In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and arrange for them being checked every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for 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 by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move in. How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate? Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that 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 comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use within the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection. Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance. The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. Read the Full Article contains the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that require attention. 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 landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required. Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to ensure that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.