What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues at least once a year. Also, you must provide a copy of your gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the owner after an inspection to ensure safety. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected 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 document they have completed.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and offer the most secure protection 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. The engineer will perform a full inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. In addition, the engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs required to bring them up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant refuses to allow the landlord in, the landlord can try to persuade them by delivering an explanation in the letter of why the checks are required and what happens to them if they don't allow them to enter. If this doesn't work the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by serving them with a 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 conducted. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into your property. Additionally, you must also keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. The engineer will issue the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. use this link must be provided to tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. The document is a record that must be kept by the landlord two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep the documents online to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas security inspections. The law stipulates that if tenants refuse access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and carry out the inspection. It could be necessary to write to the tenant, asking them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeat requests for entry. This could also mean calling the local council, who might be able to send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant still refuses to grant access the landlord should think about initiating the process of eviction. While this should be a last resort but it is legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this action as it can be complicated.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and offer to tenants. This applies even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any other person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must collaborate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is important to know who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to ensure that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property they need to make sure that it is safe for the residents who live there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified engineer and deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are performed every year, and copies of the certificates are given to 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 issue.
It is also legal for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. The landlord must also provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants before they move in.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been rented out for a short period of time, like a student house or holiday home. It's recommended to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy contract, because it will save you a lot of hassle and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord determines that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection they should arrange for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This may involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. 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 regulations for gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are strict and must also 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 need to arrange for a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an extensive inspection and issue the CP12 certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we provide a same day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual gas safety check?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like flues and pipework, and any fixtures and fittings which use or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test the gas appliances and flues and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. gas certificate will also ensure that the gas supply is turned on and that the gas meter is stocked with money in it.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to tenants in the period of 28 days and to tenants who are new before moving into. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents that you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to let you carry out the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property and the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant refuses to allow you access then you might want to consider a Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety check is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about scheduling it separately or when you will need to do it. You can be assured that our team will be there to assist you should you're looking to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site for more information about our landlord insurance plans. Register for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price hike guarantees that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.