What is a Landlords Gas Safety Certificate (LGSC)?
A Landlords Gas Safety Certificate is mandatory for all rental properties with fuel-burning appliances, also known as an LGSC or CP12. This certification confirms a property’s gas appliances have been inspected as required under UK law.
MPE Plumbing Heating Gas are Gas Safe Registered engineers who can inspect your property’s gas appliances to ensure they are safe to use and are not potential sources of gas or carbon monoxide leaks.
We will check that the appliances are working properly as well as checking for the following:
- That all the safety devices are working properly
- That any ventilation routes are clear and working correctly
- Harmful gases are removed from the appliance safely to the air outside
- Gas appliances are on the right setting and burning properly with the correct operating pressure
Do I need a Landlords Gas Safety Certificate?
If you have a property rented out, or you plan to rent it out, you are required by UK law to have valid certification which confirms all of the gas appliances are safe to use and fit for purpose.
If you are using a letting agent, they will need to be provided with a copy of the LGSC or CP12 before they are able to move new tenants in. It is the landlord’s responsibility to do the same for private rentals.
It is worth noting that if a gas appliance is owned by a tenant, for example, a cooker, the landlord is not responsible for having it checked (although the pipework connected to the appliance is the responsibility of the landlord)
For private homeowners there is no lawful requirement to have a Gas Safety Certificate, however, it is recommended that you still have the checks for your own safety and peace of mind.
What happens if you do not have a valid Landlords Gas Safety Certificate?
Given the potential seriousness of gas or carbon monoxide leaks, breaches of the Gas Safety Regulations are taken very seriously. Landlords have a duty to provide a safe home for their tenants and failure to do so can result in either a substantial fine, imprisonment or both.
The consequences for failure to comply with Gas Safety regulations can include:
- If there is loss of life the guilty party could be charged with manslaughter
- Insurance cover could be invalidated due to non-compliance
- A fine of up to £6,000 for each breach and/or 6 months imprisonment
Which appliances need to be checked?
The inspection must be carried out by Gas Safe Registered Engineers such as MPE Plumbing Heating Gas. It’s important to check the engineer’s Gas Safe ID card to confirm they are qualified before you allow them to work in your home.
What does the inspection involve?
Our Gas Safe Registered engineer will check all gas appliances on the premises to make sure they are safe to use and protected against gas or carbon monoxide leaks.
We will firstly perform a visual check for any obvious faults, as well as checking the following:
- Chimneys & flues for any signs of blockage (sometimes with smoke pellets and If smoke returns the flue is likely blocked and will need to be cleared)
- Gas connections & pipework to ensure gas is being supplied safely and directly to your gas appliances
- Ventilation supply to check if enough air is supplied to correctly burn gas.
- Manufacturer and model information for each gas appliance.
- If they burn gas correctly, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
How long does an inspection take?
A typical Gas inspection takes approximately 45 minutes. This may vary depending on how many appliances need to be checked and how easy they are for our engineer to access.
What happens after the Landlords Gas Safety Certification inspection?
Once the inspection has been carried out our engineer will issue the certificate. Duplicate copies will include the Landlord, the tenant, as well as one for the engineer.
What does the certificate record detail of?
- The results of all operational safety checks carried out on the appliances
- Information on any safety defects and actions needed or taken to fix them
- The landlord’s or agent’s name and address
- The address of the property where the appliances or flues are installed
- The name, registration number and signature of the engineer who made the checks
- A description and location of each appliance or flue that was checked
- The date the checks were carried out
Can you fail a Gas inspection?
Yes, having an inspection carried out at the property is not enough. Our engineer must confirm all gas appliances in the property are safe to use before tenants are able to move in (or remain in the property).
If anything is amiss, our engineer might have to turn off and disconnect the appliance. There is a simple fix to the problem, we can repair the appliance on the spot. With the need for more serious repair, we can issue repair and maintenance recommendations in a report.
Why did your Gas Certification fail?
The Gas Safety Certificate will indicate a pass or a fail if any appliance is “Not Safe to use”. This will explain the findings of each failure (if any) using the codes listed below:
- When an appliance has been noted as NCS, there is no immediate danger and it’s relatively safe
- Overtime industry standards have changed and for that reason, existing installations may not always meet the current safety requirement
- It is possible to improve the installation to meet current standards as it could improve the reliability and lifespan of the installation
- Our gas engineers can advise whether the installation might best be brought in line with current standards
The definition of Not to Current Standard (NCS)?
When an appliance has been noted as NCS, there is no immediate danger and it’s relatively safe. Over time industry standards have changed and for that reason, existing installations may not always meet the current safety requirement.
It is possible to improve the installation to meet current standards as it could improve the reliability and lifespan of the installation. Our gas engineers can advise whether the installation might best be brought in line with current standards.
What is the definition of At-Risk (AR)?
If an installation has one or more recognized faults present and is considered a danger to life or property without further faults developing, it will be coded as “At Risk.” In which case, with your permission, the installation will be turned off and it is advised that it is not used again until the fault has been repaired.
What is the definition of Immediate Dangerous (ID)?
When an installation which, if operated or left connected to a gas supply, is considered to be an immediate danger to life or property. With your permission, the gas engineer will disconnect the appliance and will advise that it is not used until the necessary work has been carried to repair the problem.
Continuing use of what is deemed as an “Immediate Dangerous” could put lives in danger. Because of the potential danger, if you refuse to grant a gas engineer permission to disconnect the appliance or installation, it is his duty to report the situation to the Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP).
The ESP has legal powers to demand entry for the safety of all and may then disconnect the gas supply to the property.
A Landlord’s legal requirement
The LGSC or CP12 certificate is valid for one year only and landlords are advised to keep records of at least the previous two years.
A Gas Boiler Service
Regular boiler maintenance is important in order to ensure the appliance is not only burning safely and efficiently but also to avoid more serious problems.
boiler service typically takes approximately 45 minutes and varies depending on the type of boiler. Our Gas Safe registered engineers can service your boiler according to the UK Gas Safety standards.
Read more about our Gas Boiler Service – click here.
