What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your responsibilities as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are required for landlords.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be inspected each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide a copy gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner following an inspection for safety. The document should include all information about the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good order and to provide copies of the completed form to their tenants.
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 landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to avoid any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord, you will need to arrange for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will inspect every gas appliance and pipework in the house. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will advise you on the correct work needed in order to bring them back up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant refuses to let the landlord in, the landlord could try to persuade them by delivering an explanation in the letter of why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they do not let them in. If this fails the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by sending them an Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being carried out. The record should be provided to all tenants, including any new tenants prior to when they move into your property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost of the test can vary from PS60 to PS120, depending on the nature of the check. The engineer will give the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be given to the tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. The document is a proof of the inspection and should be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to store the documents online to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual gas and service safety checks. The law states that if tenants refuse access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the check. It is possible to write to the tenant, asking them to contact an engineer directly and make repeated requests for entry. It can also include contact with the local council, who might be able to send an official round to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord may consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is the case regardless of whether the property is 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 an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
It is crucial to determine whether a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but it is important to consult with the agency to ensure that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the people 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 an accredited gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety inspections done each year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of issue.
The landlord must also give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days following the conclusion of any checks. Similarly, the landlord must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let out for a brief time, such as the student house or holiday cottage. It is a good idea to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy contract, because it will save you a lot of trouble and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that any of their appliances or flues are unsafe during the course of an inspection they must make arrangements for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This could involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords should ensure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing landlords and gas safety checks are extremely strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted which could result in fines and even jail sentences for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord who needs to schedule an inspection of gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an entire inspection and provide you with the CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service in the event of an emergency. Call us or visit our website today to learn more.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety test. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances including flues and pipework, and the fixtures and fittings that utilize or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that all is in good order and up-to-date. 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 is turned on and that the gas meter is topped up.
It's a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and test was carried out. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. It is also recommended to keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
gas safety certificate cost have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant does not let you carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must 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 be. If the tenant is unwilling to give you access, you may be considering a Section 21 eviction.
When you buy an insurance policy for landlords through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about arranging it separately, or when you will need to do it. You can also be confident that we've got your back if you need to renew your policy or change any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. You can also enroll for a free estimate to learn more about what's included and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual cost won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.