What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your responsibilities as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues on site annually. You should also provide an original copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate ?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the property owner following an inspection for safety. It should contain all the information about the properties gas pipework, flues and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good condition and to provide copies of the completed form to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This will help them avoid any lapses in coverage and offer the most secure 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. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are deemed to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct work required to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant refuses to allow the landlord in, the landlord could attempt to persuade them by delivering a letter that explains the reason for the checks and what happens to them if they do not let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord should look into initiating the eviction process by serving them with a Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after every check. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, prior to the time they move into the property. It is also necessary to keep the original record for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be passed on to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is a record and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store them online in order to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords also need to ensure that they can access the property for annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant refuses to allow access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain entry to carry out the check. It could be necessary to write to the tenant, ask them to contact an engineer directly and repeatedly request access. This could also mean contact with the local council, who may be able send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in and the landlord is considering eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before making this decision as it may be difficult.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues for tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to a third party. However, the original landlord, and anyone who has been given duties by contract, must collaborate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements.
It is important to determine whether a landlord has employed an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it's important to check with the agency prior to your visit to ensure that you are fully covered.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
When a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the people who reside there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified engineer and deemed safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety inspections done every year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks must be carried out by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and date of issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days following the conclusion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide any new tenants a copy of 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 the student house or holiday home. It is recommended to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, since it can save you a lot of hassle and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers their appliances or flues do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, he must make the necessary repairs in the shortest time possible. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by seeing their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations regarding gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If a landlord is found to not comply with the rules, they could be prosecuted, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to schedule an inspection for gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an extensive inspection and provide you with an CP12 certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we provide a same day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
Legally, you are responsible for an annual gas safety inspection every year if you rent out a part or all your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, including flues, pipework and any fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that 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 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 give an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It should be handed out to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving in. Keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant refuses to let you carry out the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could send an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting the Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety check is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't need to worry about scheduling it separately or when you will need to do it. You can also be confident that we're there for you if you need to renew your insurance or amend any details.
For more information about our landlord insurance packages 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 for the first year.