What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it is important to know your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. 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 a copy of your gas safety record to each tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is an official document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following carrying out a safety check. The document should contain all information about the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good working order and to send copies of the document to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their property inspected and get a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate, you will need to make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation 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 inform you on the correct repair work required to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If a tenant is refusing permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to persuade them by sending a strongly worded letter explaining why they need the inspections to be conducted and what happens should they refuse to allow them to enter. If this fails, the landlord can then look into initiating the eviction process by sending them a Section 21 notice.
As how much gas safety certificate , you must provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check that is carried out. This should be provided to current tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. You must also keep the original record for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances in their properties are checked annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, which must be passed on to the tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document is a record that should be stored by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to store them online in order to reduce the amount of waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas safety checks. If a tenant does not admit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the inspection. It could be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, ask them to contact an engineer directly and make repeated requests for access. You may also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it is important to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in and the landlord is considering eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer prior to taking such a step.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and provide to tenants. This is true even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone else who has been given duties through a contract, must work together to ensure the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has enlisted the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is essential that they find out who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it is important to inquire with the agency in advance to ensure that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the residents who reside there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed engineer and found to be safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety inspections done each year and that copies are given to the tenants who live there. The checks should be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and date of issue.
The landlord must also provide 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 the CP12 form before they move into the property.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let out for a brief period of time, like the student house or holiday home. It would be an ideal idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, since it can save you a lot of hassle and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues are unsafe during the course of an inspection, they should make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This may involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules for gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If a landlord is found to be in violation of the rules, they could face prosecution which could result in fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection for gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an entire inspection and provide you with the CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we offer a same day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety check. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like flues and pipework, and any fixtures and fittings which use or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is current and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and the examination, it's a good idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving in. You should keep a copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send an email explaining why you require access to the property as well as the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant does not allow you access, you may want to consider an Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't need to worry about arranging it separately, or when you will need to do it. You can be confident that our team will be available to help you if you're looking to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance for landlords check out the Hometree website. Sign up for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.