Gas Safety Certificate for Landlords

As defined in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, a landlord has 3 main legal responsibilities:

 

1. Annual Gas Safety Checks

Every 12 months, all gas appliances and flues must be checked by a Gas Safe engineer, after which you will be provided with a Landlord Gas Safety Record or Gas Safety Certificate, a document that details the checks and equipment condition. This document is also known as a CP12 or Corgi Proforma (when Corgi previously managed this process). The annual gas safety inspection checks all appliances and equipment that uses gas. This includes the gas supply, boiler, and gas fires.

 

The inspection also includes:

• Checking appliances for tightness and safety regulations

• Ensuring sufficient ventilation

• Checking burner and gas pressures in line with the manufacturer’s data

• Checking flue flow and removing any combustible products

• Monitoring standing and working gas pressures

• Checking safety devices to ensure safe operation

• Checking for any misuse of gas devices or items

• Checking carbon monoxide alarms

 

Landlords are also legally required to fit carbon monoxide alarms in all rooms in which solid fuel is used. For example, any room with a fireplace or wood-burning stove must have an alarm. Gas safety checks can be carried out between 10 and 12 months after the previous report has been produced. If the check is carried out under 10 months or more than 12, the new certificate will have a new expiry date. Landlords are not responsible for gas appliances owned by tenants, but you should ensure that any flues connected to the appliance are safe to use.​

 

2. Gas Safety Record

You must provide a copy to new tenants at the beginning of the tenancy and within 28 days of the check to existing tenants.If your property’s rental periods are under 28 days, the gas safety record needs to be clearly displayed within the rental property.​The CP12 gas safety certificate must include the following details:

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• Location and description of every appliance or flue inspected

• Name, registration number and signature of the engineer

• Date when the inspection was carried out

• Address of the property

• The Landlord (or letting agent’s) name and address

• Details of any safety defects and actions required/taken

• Results of all operational safety checks carried out on the gas appliances

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 3. Maintenance

It is the Landlord’s responsibility to maintain all gas pipework, chimneys, flues, and appliances in a safe condition. Manufacturers of gas appliances will provide guidelines advising how often servicing is required, but if you do not have these, our Gas engineers can give you advice.Whilst installation pipework is not included in the gas safety check, both the HSE and Gas Safe recommend that additional checks are carried out, including:

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• Testing tightness on the whole gas system, including installation pipework

• Visually examine pipework (as far as is practicable)

• While there are no formal requirements to keep maintenance records, you do need to prove that pipework, appliances and flues have been regularly maintained and any required repairs have been completed.​

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How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate for my property?

It’s easy, just contact Ignite and book an appointment! At a time convenient to you, one of our Gas Safe engineers will visit the property and carry out the inspection. If the property passes, we will provide you with a new CP12 Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.

 

How long is a gas safety certificate valid for?

A CP12 Gas Safety certificate is valid for 12 months and a replacement must be provided to tenants within 28 days after a previous one has expired. You must also provide the certificate to any new tenants before they move in or within 28 days.

 

Do I need to keep expired gas certificates?

Yes, you must keep expired gas safety certificates for at least two years. This proves a history of compliance.

 

What happens if I do not have a gas safety certificate for my rental property?

Without a valid CP12 certificate, you cannot legally rent you property and may be liable to a fine.

 

Am I responsible for my tenants’ own appliances?

No, tenants are responsible for their own appliances, but the landlord is responsible for the flues and fittings. If you’d rather be safe than sorry, we can include tenant’s appliances in the gas safety check.

 

Can you service a boiler and carry out a gas safety check at the same time?

Absolutely, in fact it can save time and cost to carry out both at the same time. The safety check ensures your boiler is running safely, whilst a boiler service will check that all the boiler components are clean and running efficiently.If you would like to arrange a gas safety check and boiler service, get in touch with us.

 

Can I check that an engineer is Gas Safe Registered?

Yes! All Gas Safe registered engineers carry ID and are listed on the Gas Safe website, so you can check their qualifications before your appointment.  How much does a Landlord Gas Safety certificate check cost? Please contact us for a fixed price quotation.