What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your obligations as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances regularly on site. Also, you must provide the gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner following a safety inspection. It should contain all of the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are inspected for safety. boiler service and gas safety certificate are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the completed document.
The law requires that all landlords have their property examined and obtain a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least one month before expiration of their current certificate. This will help them avoid any coverage gaps and offer the most secure protection for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord You will need to make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will carry out an exhaustive examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct repairs required to bring them back up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to persuade them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter outlining why they require the checks to be completed and what will happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this isn't working the landlord might consider starting the eviction by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. The record should be provided to both existing tenants and any new tenants prior to when they move in. It is also necessary to keep the original records for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the test. The engineer will issue the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. This document is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. This document serves as an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection, however it is recommended that they are stored online to reduce the amount of paper used.
Landlords must also ensure that they can access the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant does not admit access, the law says that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the check. It could be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeat requests for entry. It can also include contact with the local council, who might be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant refuses to let access in, the landlord may consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step as it may be difficult.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. This applies even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and any other person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If landlord safety certificate has hired the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is essential to find out who is responsible for organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, however you must inquire with the agency to ensure that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified engineer and found to be safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks completed each 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 date of issue.
It is also a legal requirement for the landlord to give tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move into.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let out for a brief period of time, like a student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection they must arrange for them to be fixed as soon as possible. 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 examining their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be complied with. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and could face fines or even jail sentences.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange a gas safety inspection, 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. landlord safety certificate provide competitive prices and 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 gas safety check?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including flues and pipework, and any fixtures and fittings which use or exhaust gas.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will examine the flues and gas appliances and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money in it.
After the inspection and 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 prior to moving in. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant does not allow you to carry out the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could include sending a strongly worded letter explaining why you need access to the property and what the security checks will be. If the tenant does not allow you access then you might think about the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. This means that you don't need to organize it on your own or think about when you'll need to do it. You can also be assured that we're here for you should you need to renew your insurance or amend any details.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. You can also sign up for a free quote to find out more about what's included and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.