What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's important to understand your responsibilities in relation to the gas safety of your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances on site annually. You should also provide a copy of the gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following carrying out a safety check. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that these items are in good condition and to give copies of the completed document to their tenants.
All landlords are required by law to inspect their properties every 12 months, and to obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month before the certificate due to expire. This will prevent any coverage lapse and gives the best protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's Gas Safety certificate An engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework in the house. Additionally, the engineer will also examine the emergency controls of each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the checks done and what would happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this fails the landlord could decide to start the eviction process by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to give your tenants a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. This must be provided to current tenants, as well as new tenants prior to their move into the property. You should also keep the original records for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will give the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is a record that must be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection. It's recommended to store the documents online to reduce the amount of waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. The law stipulates that in the event tenants refuse access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain access and complete the check. It is possible to write to the tenant and asking them to contact an engineer directly, and to make repeated requests for access. This could also mean calling the local council, who might be able to send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant refuses to let access in and the landlord is considering the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior making this decision as it may be difficult.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. This is the case even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However, the original landlord, and anyone who has been assigned responsibilities by contract, should cooperate to ensure that the requirements of the law are met.
It is important to determine whether a landlord has hired an agent managing their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it's important to inquire with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are fully protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents their property, they must make sure that it is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate shows that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been inspected and deemed safe by an accredited gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks completed each year and that copies are given to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 days following the completion of any checks. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are exceptions to this rule but only when the property is used for short-term lets such as holiday cottages for students or student housing. It is a good idea to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, because it will save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord finds that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they must make arrangements for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations for gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and face fines or even jail sentences.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out a full check and provide you with the CP12 certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service in the event of an emergency. Call us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual gas safety check?
Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety inspection every year, if you lease a part or all your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipes, flues and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that everything is safe and up-to-date. They will test all the gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter has money on it.
After the inspection and check, it's a great idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving into. Keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you employ.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant refuses to allow you to carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property and the security inspections that are required. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting an Section 21 eviction process.
When you buy an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to schedule it separately or fret about when you'll have to do it. You can also be confident that we've got your back if you need to renew your insurance or amend any details.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a free quote to find out more about the coverage and how much you'll have to pay. homeowner gas safety certificate -price hike guarantee means that your annual cost will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.