What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it is important to know your obligations when it comes to the gas safety of your property. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the property owner following an inspection to ensure safety. This document should contain all information about the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the completed document.
All landlords are required by law 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 plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to prevent any gaps in coverage and provide the best security for their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. gas safe installation certificate will inspect every gas appliance and pipework in the house. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work needed in order to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If a tenant is refusing permit access to the inspection, the landlord can try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the inspections to be conducted and what happens if they don't let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by sending them the Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to give your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being carried out. This should be given to both existing tenants and any new tenants, before they move into your property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances in their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost of the test can range from PS60 to PS120 based on the nature of the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, and it must be passed on to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This 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, but it is recommended that they are stored online to reduce paper waste.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas safety inspections. If a tenant does not allow access, the law says that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain entry to carry out the check. This could include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. It can also include contact with the local council, who may be able to send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant does not allow access and the landlord is considering the possibility of eviction. While this is not a last resort but it is legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues for tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the original landlord and any other person who has been given duties by contract, must collaborate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements.
It is essential to find out if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, however you must consult with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord leases their property, they have to ensure that it is safe for those who reside there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and copies of the certificates are provided to tenants. The checks should be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number and a date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are gas safety certificate cp12 to this policy but only in the case of a property being used for short-term leases like holiday cottages or student housing. It's an ideal idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement since it can save you a lot of hassle and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord determines that any of their flues or appliances aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they must make arrangements for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by examining their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and face fines or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord and need to arrange a gas safety inspection. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home, carry out a full inspection, and issue you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
You are legally responsible for a gas safety check every year if you lease out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances like pipes and flues, and any fixtures and fittings which use 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 the flues and gas appliances and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also check that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter has money in it.
It's a good idea give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and test was carried out. The record must be handed out to existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants before they move in. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant refuses to allow you to carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send an email explaining why you have to gain access to the property and the security checks that must be conducted. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting an Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about arranging it separately, or when you'll require it. You can be confident that our team will be available to help you if you're looking to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. You can also enroll for a free quote to learn more about the packages and the cost you'll be paying. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.