What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are required for landlords.
You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be examined every year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also provide an original copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the property owner following a safety inspection. It should contain all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good working order and to give copies of the completed form to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their property checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible 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 the gas appliances and pipes within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. Our Web Page will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord can attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the checks to be completed and what will happen should they refuse to allow them to enter. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then look into initiating the eviction process by serving them with the Section 21 notice.
Your tenants must receive copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days following each check. The record should be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move into your property. It is also necessary to keep the original document for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances within their properties are checked annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the inspection. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be distributed to the 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 following the date of the initial inspection, although it's recommended to store them online to reduce paper waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas safety checks. The law states that if tenants refuse access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the check. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and ask them to contact an engineer directly and to make repeated requests for access. You may also contact the local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it is crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant still refuses to give access the landlord should think about starting the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this action as it may be difficult.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and any other person who has been given duties by contract, must work together to ensure the requirements of the law are met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is important to find out who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it is important to check with the agency in advance to be certain that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord rents out their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a qualified engineer and found to be safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and 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 date of the issue.
It is also a legal requirement for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let out for a brief period of time, like the student house or holiday home. It is recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, because it will save you a lot of trouble and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as they can. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must ensure 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 discussed above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the rules they could be prosecuted and face fines or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection of gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an entire inspection and provide you with a CP12 certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us a the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety check. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including pipes and flues as well as any fittings and fixtures that make use of 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 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 in it.
After the inspection and examination, it's a good idea to provide the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants prior to they move in. You should also keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could mean writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant continues to refuse the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't need to schedule it separately or fret about when you'll have to get it done. You can also be confident that we're here for you should you need to renew your insurance or amend any details.
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 how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price hike guarantees that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.