What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it is important to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give the gas safety record to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a legal document that a 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 are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the completed document.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to prevent any lapses in coverage and provide the best protection to 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 inspect all gas appliances and pipework in the house. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work required to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord in, the landlord could attempt to persuade the tenant to let them in by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they do not allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by giving them the Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days following every check. It should be handed out to both existing tenants and any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. In addition, you must also keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will issue the 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 being completed. The document is a record that should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to store the documents online to reduce waste.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property in order to conduct the annual service and gas security inspections. The law stipulates that if a tenant refuses access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the inspection. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for access. You may also contact the local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it is essential to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant still refuses to grant access, the landlord should consider beginning the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this step because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and offer to tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone who has been given duties by contract, should work together to ensure the requirements of the law are met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential that they find out who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, however you must inquire with the agency to ensure that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property they need to make sure that it is safe for the people who live there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been tested and deemed to be safe by an experienced gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety inspections done each year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks must be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number as well as a date of the issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 days following the completion of any checks. In the same way, landlords must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
There are exceptions to this rule but only in the case of a property being used for short-term lets such as student housing or holiday cottages. It is an ideal idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, because it will save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers their appliances or flues do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, they must repair them in the shortest time possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords should ensure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations regarding gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to not comply with the regulations, they could be prosecuted which could result in fines or even jail sentences for the offending party.
how long does a gas safety certificate last is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to schedule a gas safety inspection. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection and issue an CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we offer an same-day service in the event of an emergency. 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 part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety test. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, which includes pipework, flues, and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
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 supply is on and that the gas meter is stocked with money in it.
After the inspection and check, it's a great idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. The record must be handed out to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move in. Keep a copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This could mean sending a clearly written letter stating why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting the Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to arrange it separately or worry about when you'll have to do it. You can be assured that our team will be there to assist you if you need to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. You can also sign up for a free quote to learn more about the coverage and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price increases means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.