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 at your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances at least once a year. You should also provide a copy of your gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety audit. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these things are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months, and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require landlords to schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to prevent any coverage gaps and provide the best protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate An engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will perform a full examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct work needed in order to bring them back up to standard and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord to in, the landlord may try to convince them by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they refuse to let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by giving them an Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being conducted. This should be given to all tenants, including any new tenants, prior to the time they move into your property. It is also necessary to keep the original record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly inspected by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost of the test can vary from PS60 to PS120 based on the extent of the check. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be passed on to tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document serves as an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the initial inspection, although it's recommended that they are stored online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper used.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas safety inspections. The law states that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the inspection. This may include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. You may also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant refuses to allow access to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework, appliances and flues they own and supply to tenants. This is the case regardless of whether the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and anyone who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
It is essential to find out whether a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When gas safe register duplicate certificate rents their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been inspected and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted each year, and copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks should be carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include 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 inspections being completed. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been rented out for a short duration, such as the student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract in order to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues aren't safe during the course of an inspection, they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as is possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations regarding gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are very strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found to not comply with the regulations, they could face prosecution and could face penalties of fines or even jail time for the party who committed the offense.
If you're a landlord and need to arrange for a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection and provide you with an CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us a a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety inspection every year if you lease out a part or all your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipes, flues and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
A trained 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 turned on and that the gas meter is stocked with money on it.
It's a good idea provide your tenants with copies of the completed gas safety record after the inspection and verification was completed. The record must be handed out to existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you employ.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could mean writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what the security checks will be. If the tenant is still refusing to allow access, you could consider launching an Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord through Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to organize it on your own or worry about when you'll need to get it done. You can be confident that our team will be there to assist you if you're looking to update your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information on our landlord insurance packages check out the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about the packages and how much you'll have to pay. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual cost will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.