What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it is important to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances at least once a year. You must also give a copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner after an inspection to ensure safety. The document should contain all the details regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these items are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and provide the best security for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord, you will need to make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct work needed in order to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If a tenant is refusing permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the inspections to be conducted and what will happen if they don't let them in. If this fails, the landlord may consider starting the eviction by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check that is carried out. This must be provided to current tenants as well as to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. You must 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 a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. The engineer will issue an CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be provided to tenants within four weeks after the test has been 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 to store them online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper used.
Landlords must also ensure that they can access the property to perform the annual gas safety and service checks. The law stipulates that in the event a tenant refuses access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain access and complete the inspection. It is possible to write to the tenant and ask them to contact an engineer directly and to repeat requests for access. what is a landlord gas safety certificate can also include calling the local council, who might be able to send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant refuses to allow access and the landlord is considering eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who refuse to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this step as it may be difficult.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and provide for use by the tenants. This is true even if the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and any other person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements should work together, with an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
It is crucial to determine whether a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is important to check with the agency prior to your visit to ensure you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord leases their property, they have to ensure that it is safe for the people who reside there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been tested and deemed to be safe by an accredited gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks done every year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks must be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of the issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days after the completion of any checks. Similarly, they must give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are exceptions to this rule, however, if the property is used for short-term lets such as holiday cottages for students or student housing. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord discovers their flues or appliances are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, he should make the necessary repairs as soon as he can. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords must make sure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations regarding landlords and gas safety inspections are very strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to not comply with the regulations, they may be charged which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time 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. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an extensive inspection and issue the CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipework, flues, and fittings and fixtures 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 turned on and the gas meter has money on it.
After the inspection and the inspection, it's a good idea to give an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants prior to they move in. You should keep a copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This may include writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what security checks will be. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting the Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will have to do it. You can also be assured that we're here for you should you need to renew your policy or change any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. You can also sign up for a free quote to learn more about the packages and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price increases means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.