What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your responsibilities as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are required for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances regularly on site. Also, you must provide a copy of your gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is an official document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety inspection. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these items are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the completed document.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. The regulations require that landlords schedule their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This allows them to prevent any gaps in coverage and offer the most secure protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will carry out an inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. Additionally, the engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance. If any appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will advise you on the correct work required to bring them up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unwilling to let the landlord in, the landlord may try to convince them by delivering a letter that explains the reason for the checks and what will happen to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this isn't working, the landlord may consider starting the eviction by delivering the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check that is carried out. This must be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants before they move in. It is also necessary to keep the original record for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost of the test can range from PS60 to PS120 based on the extent of the check. The engineer will give a CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 must be given to the tenants in four weeks after the test is completed. The document is an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, although it's recommended that they are stored online to reduce the amount of paper used.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to perform the annual gas safety and service inspections. If a tenant is unwilling to allow access, the law states that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to carry out the check. It is possible to contact the tenant in writing, request that they contact an engineer directly, and to make repeated requests for access. You can also contact your local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it's important to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in and the landlord is considering the possibility of eviction. While this is not a last resort, it is a legal right for a landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult procedure, and landlords should consult with a lawyer before making a decision.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This applies even if the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and anyone who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements must collaborate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has hired the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is essential to know who is responsible for organizing the gas safety test. Some agents are responsible for this, but it is important to check with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents their property, they must make sure that the place is safe for the people who reside there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a qualified engineer and deemed safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety inspections done each year, and to ensure that copies are given to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue.
It is also a legal requirement that the landlord hand the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. The landlord must also provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants before they move into.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let out for a brief duration, such as an apartment for students or a holiday cottage. It is recommended to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement since it can save you a lot of trouble and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that any of their flues or appliances aren't safe during the course of an inspection, they should make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by seeing their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found be in breach of the rules, they may be charged and could face penalties of fines or even jail time for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection of gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home, carry out a full inspection, and issue you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer a 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?
You are legally responsible for an annual gas safety inspection every year if you lease out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, including pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is topped up.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants prior to moving in. Keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant refuses to permit you to conduct the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could write an explanation in a letter of why you have to gain access to the property and the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is still refusing to allow access, you could consider launching an Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase a landlord insurance policy with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. what is gas safety certificate means you don't need to schedule it separately or think about when you'll have to get it done. You can also be confident that we're there for you if you need to renew your insurance or change any information.
For more information about our insurance plans for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. Sign up for a quote to learn more about the coverage and price. Our no-price hike guarantee guarantees that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.