What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your responsibilities as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances regularly on site. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner following a safety inspection. The document should contain all information about the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these items are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain a new certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapses in coverage and ensure the best security for their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will carry out a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency controls. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance.
If the tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord may attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to allow access by sending a clearly written letter outlining why they require the checks to be completed and what would happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this fails the landlord should consider starting the eviction process by serving them with the Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of the 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 new tenants prior to their move in. It is also necessary to keep the original record for a period of two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost can range from PS60 and 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 handed over to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection, however it is recommended to store them online to help reduce the amount of paper waste.
Landlords must also ensure that they can access the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to complete the inspection. This can include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for access. You may also contact the local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it is essential to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access the landlord should think about beginning the process of expulsion. While this is not a last resort however, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step as it may be difficult.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes, appliances and flues that they own and offer to tenants. This is true regardless of whether the property is wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should collaborate, with a an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has employed the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is essential that they find out who is in charge of arranging the gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but it is important to consult with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When 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 certified engineer and found to be safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and that copies of the certificates are handed out to tenants. The checks must be performed 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 an obligation of law for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move into the property.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let for a short time, such as an apartment for students or a holiday home. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, they must repair them in the shortest time possible. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above the regulations for landlords and gas safety inspections are strict and must also be adhered to. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and could be fined or even prison sentences.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange for a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct a full check and issue an CP12 certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer the 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 safety check?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it's your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas supply is on and the gas meter has money in it.
After the inspection and the inspection, it's a good idea to give 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 new tenants before moving in. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
gas certificate must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send an explanation in a letter of why you require access to the property and the security inspections that are required. If the tenant does not allow you access, you may be considering an Section 21 eviction.
The annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about scheduling it separately or when you will require it. You can rest assured that our team will be available to assist you if you need to update your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information about our insurance for landlords check out the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a free quote to find out more about the coverage and how much you'll pay. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.