The 15 Things Your Boss Wishes You Knew About Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. You should also provide a copy to your tenants. If the engineer considers an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place. What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and in compliance with safety regulations. The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions required to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer that conducted the inspection. The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved. It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter stating why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and if not, the landlord might have to think about starting the eviction process. How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate? Landlords and letting agents are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should ensure 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 confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually. A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant needs 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 at risk during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed. Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. click to read allows tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should write to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act. What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate? It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before 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 also state that a landlord must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on request. Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate). This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas appliances in the rental property and also details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked. Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison. The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation. In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it. How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection. Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance. The CP12 is often called “landlord's gas safety certificate” however it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed. It is essential that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if necessary. Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off gas lines if necessary.