What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's important to understand your obligations when it comes to the gas safety of your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be examined each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety inspection. The document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the completed document.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months and obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of the current certificate. This allows them to prevent any gaps in coverage and ensure the best security for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's Gas Safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will perform an exhaustive inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. Additionally the engineer will examine the emergency controls of each appliance. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work needed in order to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If a tenant is refusing allow access for the inspection, the landlord can try to persuade them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter outlining why they require the inspections to be conducted and what would happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this doesn't work the landlord should think about initiating the eviction process by giving them a Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after each inspection. The record should be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move in. In addition, you should also keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the inspection. The engineer will provide an CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. The document is a record and should be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to keep them online to reduce the amount of waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service inspections. If a tenant does not allow access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain entry to carry out the check. This could include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for access. 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 checks.
If a tenant is still refusing to grant access the landlord should think about starting the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who refuse to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before making this decision as it may be difficult.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and offer to tenants. This is the case even if the property is wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential to know who is responsible for organizing the gas safety test. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When what is a landlord gas safety certificate out their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the people who live there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted each year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks should be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number as well as a date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law that the landlord hand the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. In the same way, they must provide any new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let out for a brief time, such as a student house or holiday cottage. It's an ideal idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement because it will save you a lot of stress and legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, he must repair them as soon as possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by examining their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords are very strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they may be charged and could face fines or even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to arrange a gas safety inspection. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct a full check and issue an CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our website today for more information.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety test. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances including pipes and flues, and any fixtures and fittings which use or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will test the flues and gas appliances and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter has money on it.
It's a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and verification was completed. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28-days and to tenants who are new before moving into. You should also keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses to permit you to conduct the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send a letter explaining the reason you require access to the property as well as the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant is still refusing to allow access, you could consider launching the Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. This means that you don't need to organize it on your own or fret about when you'll need get it done. You can also be assured that we're there for you if you need to renew your insurance or amend any details.
For more information about our insurance for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. Sign up for a quote to learn more about the coverage and price. Our no price hike promise guarantees that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.