5 Laws That Anyone Working In Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Should Know

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You should also provide a copy to your tenants. If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will request 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 an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rental property were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety standards. The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with 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 tenants in the 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 employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer that conducted the test. If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue has been resolved. If a tenant does not allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally easier to simply send a well written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process. How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate? The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a licensed engineer. The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed annually. If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the documentation in case a tenant requests it. Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed. The landlords should also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter the landlord must write to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate? It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offence that can lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request. Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate. This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rental property, as well as details about when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested. Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment. Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested each month. If gas safety certificate uk isn't functioning, the landlord has to fix 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 unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. 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 the time tenants move in. How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection. It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals of boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance. The CP12 is sometimes called “landlord's gas safety certificate”, although it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed. It is essential that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord must state the legal requirements 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 your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.