Add Watch This: How Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
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Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
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As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
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If the engineer believes that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger they will ask permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
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What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
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A [landlord gas safety certificate](https://www.mkgassafety.co.uk/) is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
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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. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
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CP12 is an abbreviation used for 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 outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions required to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who conducted the test.
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If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device, the engineer will advise on what must be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
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If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is often easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.
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How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
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Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are conducted by a qualified engineer.
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The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer in 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 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.
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If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the documents in the event that a tenant asks for it.
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Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
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Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why the engineer is required 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.
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What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
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It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.
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Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could present a danger for tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
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This is an important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
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Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
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Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must repair it. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords, and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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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 a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
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How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
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Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they lease are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
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It's also a good idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
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The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
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It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
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Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off your gas supplies when necessary.
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