What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it's crucial to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues at least once a year. Also, you must provide a copy of the gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety audit. This should include all of the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these items are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are required by law to inspect their properties every 12 months, and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. The regulations require that landlords plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of their current certificate. This allows them to prevent any lapses in coverage 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. This engineer will carry out a full examination of all gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. In addition the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. If any appliances are found to be dangerous the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work required to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If a tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord may attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection by sending a strongly worded letter outlining why they require the checks to be completed and what will happen should they refuse to let them in. If this fails, the landlord can then consider starting the eviction process by sending them the 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. This must be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants before they move in. It is also necessary to keep the original document 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 an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the check. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document must be provided to tenants within four weeks following the test has been completed. This document is an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, although it's advised to keep them online to reduce the amount of paper used.
Landlords also need to ensure that they can access the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. The law states that if a tenant refuses access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the check. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for entry. This could also mean contact with the local council, who may be able send an official round to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant does not let access in, the landlord may consider eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult procedure, and landlords should consult a lawyer before making a decision.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and provide to tenants. This is true even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However, the original landlord, and anyone who is obligated by contract, should work together to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is crucial that they find out who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, however you must inquire with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all the gas appliances and flues within the property have been checked and deemed to be safe by an accredited gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety inspections done every year and that copies are given to the tenants who reside there. The checks should be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number and date of the issue.
The landlord is also required to give the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the conclusion of any checks. In the same way, landlords must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let out for a brief duration, such as an apartment for students or a holiday cottage. It's recommended to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement since it can save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, he must repair them as soon as he can. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by looking at their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations for gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are strict and must also be observed. If a landlord is found in violation of the rules and is prosecuted, they could be fined and could be fined or even prison sentences.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange for a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out a full check and issue a CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
Legally, you are obliged to conduct an annual gas safety check each year if you rent out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues and any fixtures and fittings which make use of or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure everything is safe and up-to date. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and check, it's a great 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 new tenants prior to moving into. Keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you employ.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This could include writing a strong letter explaining why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting an Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase a landlord insurance policy through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. 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 be confident that our team will be there to assist you if you need to update your policy details or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. Request a quote to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.