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 safety of gas in your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues at least once a year. Also, you must provide the gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner following an inspection for safety. The document should include all the information regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that these items are in good order and to send copies of the completed document to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their property checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections not later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This will prevent any coverage lapse and gives the best protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate you must make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes within the property. Additionally, the engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to convince them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter explaining why they need the checks done and what will happen if they don't allow them access. If this fails the landlord may look into initiating the eviction process by sending them the Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after each inspection. The record should be provided to all tenants, including any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. In addition, you must keep a copy 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 regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120 depending on the scope of the test. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, and it must be passed on to the tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. The document is a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, however it is recommended that they are stored 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 for annual gas safety and service checks. The law stipulates that if a tenant refuses access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the inspection. It may be necessary to write to the tenant, ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeatedly request access. You can also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it is crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant is still refusing to give access to the property, the landlord should think about beginning the process of eviction. While this should be a last option however, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult procedure, and landlords should consult with a lawyer prior to making a decision.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and anyone who has been assigned responsibilities through a contract, must work together to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.
It is important 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. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but you should consult with the agency to ensure that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents out their property they need to make sure that it is safe for the residents who live there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are performed every year, and that copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks should be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number and date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law for landlords to provide the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. Similarly, they must give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let out for a brief period of time, like the student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord discovers their appliances or flues are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, they must make the necessary repairs as soon as possible. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations for landlords and gas safety inspections are very strict and must be adhered to. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and could face fines or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord and need to arrange an inspection of gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an entire inspection and provide you with a CP12 certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer an same-day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our site for more details.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety check. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure everything is safe and up-to-date. They will test all gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also check that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter has money on it.
It's a good idea to give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and test was carried out. The record must be handed out to existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. Keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain access. This could mean sending a strongly worded letter stating why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If click through the following page is still refusing the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about scheduling it separately or when you will need to do it. You can also rest assured that we've got your back if you need to renew your policy or change any information.
For more information about our insurance for landlords check out the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a free quote to learn more about what's included and how much you'll have to pay. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.