What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's crucial to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas in your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are required for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances on site annually. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a formal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety inspection. The document should include all information about the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good order and to send copies of the completed document to their tenants.
All landlords are required by law to inspect their properties every 12 months and 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 lapse in coverage and gives the best protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will examine all gas appliances and pipework in the property. In addition the engineer will examine the emergency controls of each appliance. If any appliances are found to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct work required to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the checks done and what would happen in the event they refuse to allow them access. If this doesn't work the landlord might think about initiating the eviction process by serving an Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being conducted. This must be provided to current tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, you should keep a copy of the document 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 costs can vary between PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 must be provided to tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. The document is a record and must be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store them online to reduce the amount of waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual gas and service safety inspections. If a tenant is unwilling to allow access, the law states 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 then reiterating requests for access. This could also mean contact with the local council, who might be able to send an official letter to explain the necessity of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access, the landlord should consider starting the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult procedure, and landlords should consult with a lawyer prior to taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework, appliances and flues that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However, the original landlord, and any other person who has been assigned responsibilities by contract, must collaborate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is crucial to know who is in charge of conducting the gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, however you must check with the agency to ensure that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When a landlord leases their property, they have to make sure that the place 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 carried out every year, and that copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks must be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of the issue.
It is also legal that the landlord hand tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
This rule is not applicable when the property is rented out for a short time, such as an apartment for students or a holiday cottage. It would be a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement as it could save you a lot of stress and legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, they must make the necessary repairs in the shortest time possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the rules governing landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be followed. If gas safe installation certificate is found in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord who needs to schedule an inspection of gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home, carry out a full inspection, and issue you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we can provide an same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us an email or call us on our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety test. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including pipes and flues, and the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure everything is safe and up-to-date. They will examine the flues and gas appliances, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and the check, it's a great idea to provide an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to tenants who are new before moving in. It is also recommended to keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant refuses to allow you to carry out the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could write an email explaining why you need to access the property and the security checks involved. If the tenant refuses to let you in, you may want to consider a Section 21 eviction.
When you purchase a landlord insurance policy through Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to arrange it separately or worry about when you'll need do it. You can also rest assured that we're there for you in the event that you have to renew your insurance or alter any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about the coverage and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price increase means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.