Landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service (www.mkgassafety.co.uk)

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.

Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.

CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test as well as the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.

The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be conducted. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it's often easier to write a letter that explains why the checks are vital and what is required. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.

How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. This is an essential obligation and landlords must make sure that they are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.

A landlord who fails to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they are allowed to enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should write to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is an important document that every tenant must keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

Similar to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should repair it. This is applicable 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 serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics of 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 important that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.