What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it's important to understand your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are required for landlords.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked every year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give a copy of your gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after carrying out a safety check. It should contain all the details about the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good operating order and to provide their tenants with copies of the completed form.
The law requires that all landlords have their property checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This will help them avoid any lapses in coverage and provide the best security for their tenants.
In order to obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must get a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will examine all gas appliances and pipework in the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct work required to bring them back up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If a tenant is refusing permit access to the inspection, the landlord can try to persuade them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter that explains why they should have the checks to be completed and what would happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this isn't working the landlord could consider starting the eviction by delivering the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each inspection. It should be handed out to both existing tenants and any new tenants, before they move into the property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered 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 issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be distributed to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. The document is an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection, however it is recommended that they are stored online to help reduce the amount of paper waste.
Landlords must also ensure that they can access the property to conduct annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that if tenants refuse access, the landlord must use reasonable measures to gain access and complete the check. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and request that they contact an engineer directly and make repeated requests for entry. do i need a gas safety certificate may also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it is crucial to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.
If the tenant refuses to let access in to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes and flues, appliances and other equipment they own and supply for use by the tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and anyone else who has been assigned responsibilities through a contract, must cooperate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements.
If a landlord has enlisted the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is crucial that they find out who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it's worth checking with the agency ahead of time to ensure that you are fully protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents who reside there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a qualified engineer and found to be safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks done every year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who live there. 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 a legal requirement for the landlord to give the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants before they move into.
There are exceptions to this rule, however, if the property is used for short-term leases like holiday cottages or student housing. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers their appliances or flues do not meet safety standards during an inspection, he should make the necessary repairs as soon as he can. This may mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above the regulations for gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found be in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted which could result in fines or even jail sentences for the party who committed the offense.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to schedule an inspection for gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct a full check and provide you with the CP12 certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances like flues and pipework, as well as the fixtures and fittings that make use of or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure everything is safe and up-to date. They will examine the flues and gas appliances and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is charged up.
It is a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety record after the inspection and verification was carried out. It must be provided to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving into. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. However, if tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This may include writing a strong letter explaining why you need access to the property and what safety checks will involve. If the tenant is still refusing the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase a landlord insurance policy through Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to organize it on your own or think about when you'll need to get it done. You can be assured that our team will be there to assist you should you want to change your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. You can also sign up for a free quote to learn more about the coverage and how much you'll pay. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.