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 at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are required for landlords.
You must arrange for your on-site 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?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a legal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety audit. This should include all of the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good working order and to send copies of the completed form to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties examined and obtain a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and gives the best 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. The engineer will conduct an inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. Additionally, the engineer will also examine the emergency controls of each appliance. If any appliances are deemed to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs needed in order to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unable to let the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince them by delivering an explanation in the letter of why the checks are required and what happens to them if they do not allow them entry. If this fails the landlord may look into initiating the eviction process by giving them a Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being conducted. This must be provided to existing tenants as well as to new tenants prior to their move into the property. You should also keep the original records for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost could range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the scope of the check. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document must be given to the tenants within four weeks following the test has been completed. This document serves as an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the initial inspection, however it is advised to keep them online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas security checks. The law stipulates that if a tenant refuses access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain access and complete the check. It could be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, asking them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeatedly request access. This could also mean contacting the local council who may be able to send an official circular to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to give access to the property, the landlord should think about initiating the process of expulsion. While this should be considered a last resort, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords should consult a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes, appliances and flues that they own and provide for use by the tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone else who has been assigned responsibilities through a contract, must cooperate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is crucial to determine whether a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it's worth checking with the agency ahead of time to ensure that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the people who live there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed 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 provided to the tenants. The checks should be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days after the completion of any checks. The landlord must also give 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 out for a brief time, such as a student house or holiday home. It would be recommended to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, because it will save you a lot of hassle and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as they can. This could mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations regarding landlords and gas safety inspections are extremely strict and must be observed. If a landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they could face prosecution, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the party who committed the offense.
If you're a landlord and need to arrange for an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. landlord gas safety certificate how often can visit your home to conduct an extensive inspection and provide you with an CP12 certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our site today to learn more.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
You are legally accountable for an annual gas safety check each year if you lease out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues and any fittings and fixtures that make use of or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure all is in good order and up-to-date. They will examine the flues and gas appliances and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is charged up.
It's a good idea to give your tenants an original copy of the gas safety report after the inspection and test was completed. It should be handed out to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants before moving into. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses access to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. You could write an email explaining why you have to gain access to the property as well as the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant is unwilling to allow you access then you might want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
If you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. This means that you don't need to schedule it separately or worry about when you'll need get it done. You can be assured that our team will be there to assist you should you need to update your policy details or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance plans for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. Sign up for an estimate to find out more about the coverage and costs. Our guarantee of no price increases means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.