Do Not Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.


If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.

Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.

CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.

The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue is fixed.

If a tenant refuses to permit access to 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 usually much easier to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and if otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the eviction process.

How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must ensure that they get their gas inspections done 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 inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must 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 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 of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

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

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offence that can result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations require that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial document that every tenant should be able to access and keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rented property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the installation or appliances and make sure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. The rules around this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

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 in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move in.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties 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 in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that must be taken care of. click the next website must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It's important that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.

Tenants must always request to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas supplies if necessary.