What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your responsibilities as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances regularly on site. You must also give the gas safety record 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 a property after carrying out a safety check. It should contain all 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 things are in good functioning order and give their tenants copies of the completed document.
The law requires that all landlords have their property checked and receive an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require that landlords plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of their current certificate. This allows them to prevent any lapses in coverage and offer the most secure security for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord gas safety certificate you must arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will conduct an exhaustive examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to persuade them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter that explains why they should have the inspections to be conducted and what will happen if they don't allow them to enter. If this doesn't work the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. This should be given to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move into the property. In addition, you must also keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
In general, landlords are responsible to ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are checked annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will provide a CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. This document must be provided to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is a record that should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store the documents online to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that in the event the tenant refuses access, the landlord must take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and complete the inspection. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeatedly request access. It can also include calling the local council, who might be able to send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access to the property, the landlord could consider eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. This is a complex process, so landlords should consult a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and provide for use by the tenants. This applies regardless of whether the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any other person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has enlisted the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is important to know who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it is important to inquire with the agency ahead of time to ensure you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents their property they need to ensure that it is safe for those who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been inspected and deemed safe by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and that copies of the certificates are provided to tenants. The checks must be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number and a date of issue.
It is also legal for the landlord to give tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also give new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are exceptions to this policy however, if the property is used for short-term rentals such as holiday cottages for students or student housing. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, he must repair them as soon as possible. This could involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are strict and must be complied with. If the landlord is found not comply with the rules, they could be prosecuted, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the party who committed the offense.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection, and issue you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we provide the same day service for emergencies. Contact us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
You are legally responsible for an annual gas safety check each year if you rent out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, and any fixtures and fittings which make use of or exhaust gas.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas supply is turned on and that the gas meter has money on it.
After the inspection and examination, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be handed out to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants before moving into. It is also recommended to keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This could include sending a strongly worded letter explaining why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant does not let you in and you are not able to gain access, you might want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
When you buy a landlord insurance policy through Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. This means that you don't need to arrange it separately or think about when you'll need get it done. You can also be assured that we're there for you in the event that you have to renew your policy or alter any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. Sign up for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our no-price hike guarantee means that your annual cost won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.