What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be checked every year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must give a copy of your gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is an official document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety inspection. This document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good working order and to send copies of the completed document to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months, and to obtain a new certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of their current certificate. This allows them to avoid any coverage lapse and gives the best protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord You will need to arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes in the house. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs required to bring them back up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If a tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter outlining why they require the checks to be completed and what will happen in the event they refuse to allow them to enter. If this isn't working the landlord might think about initiating the eviction process by serving a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being conducted. The record should be given to current tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. In addition, you must keep a copy the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will give an CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The document is required to be handed out to tenants in 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 from the date of the initial inspection, however it is recommended to store them online to reduce the amount of paper used.
Landlords also need to make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that if tenants refuse access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain access and complete the inspection. It is possible to contact the tenant in writing, asking them to contact an engineer directly and repeat requests for entry. This could also mean contact with the local council, who may be able send an official letter to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant refuses to allow access to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. While this should be considered a last resort however, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this action because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is accountable to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This is true even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should work together, with clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential that they find out who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, however you must consult with the agency to ensure that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents out their property they need to ensure that it is safe for the residents living there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed engineer and deemed safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and that copies of the certificates are provided to the 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 legal that the landlord hand tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. Similarly, they must give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move into the property.
There are some exceptions to this rule but only when the property is used for short-term leases like student housing or holiday cottages. It would be recommended to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement as it could save you a lot of hassle and legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they should arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. page must make sure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations governing landlords and gas safety checks are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could face fines or even jail sentences.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange for a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and conduct a thorough inspection and provide you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer the same day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipework, flues, and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure everything is up to date and safe. They will examine the gas appliances and flues and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is charged up.
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 any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This could include writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant is unwilling to let you in, you may want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
When you purchase a landlord insurance policy through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. You don't have to worry about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will require it. You can rest assured that our team will be available to help you if you're looking to change your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site for more information on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about the coverage and how much you'll have to pay. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.