What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's crucial to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be inspected every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner following an inspection to ensure safety. The document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these things are in good functioning order and give their tenants copies of the document they have completed.
The law requires that every landlord has their property checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to prevent any coverage gaps and offer the most secure protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework within the property. In addition, the engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord can try to persuade them by sending a strongly worded letter outlining why they require the checks done and what will happen in the event they refuse to let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord might consider starting the eviction by serving an Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after every check. The record should be given to current tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, you must keep a copy the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
In general, landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the test. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, and it must be distributed to tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. The document is a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection, but it is recommended to store them online to minimize the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to perform the annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that in the event tenants refuse access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and carry out the inspection. This can include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. what is gas safety certificate may also contact the local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it is essential to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
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 but it is legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes, appliances and flues they own and supply to tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the original landlord and anyone who has been given duties through a contract, must work together to ensure the requirements of the law are met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is crucial to know who is responsible for organizing the gas safety test. Some agents will take on this responsibility, however you must check with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents living there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and that copies of the certificates are handed out to tenants. The checks must be conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of the issue.
It is also an obligation of law for the landlord to give the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into.
There are exceptions to this policy, however, if the property is used for short-term rentals like student housing or holiday cottages. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy agreement to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord discovers that any of their flues or appliances aren't safe during the course of an inspection, they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as is possible. This could involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations regarding landlords and gas safety inspections are strict and must also be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they could face prosecution and could face fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord that needs to schedule a gas safety inspection. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and conduct a thorough inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we provide an same-day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual gas safety check?
Legally, you are accountable for a gas safety check every year if you lease out some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances including pipes and flues, and the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that everything is safe and up-to date. They will test all gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also check that the gas supply is working and the gas meter has money in it.
After the inspection and the check, it's a great idea to provide the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be handed out to tenants in the period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving into. what is a landlord gas safety certificate is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant does not permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could send an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property and the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant still refuses the request, you may want to consider initiating a Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase a landlord insurance policy through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't have to arrange it separately or fret about when you'll need do it. You can also rest assured that we're here for you if you need to renew your policy or amend any details.
For more information about our landlord insurance packages, please visit the Hometree website. Request an estimate to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our promise of no price hike guarantees that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.