What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's important to understand your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances regularly on site. You must also give a copy of your gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the owner after an inspection to ensure safety. It should contain all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the items are in good working order and to send copies of the completed form to their tenants.
All landlords are required by law to inspect their properties every 12 months and obtain a new certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month before the certificate due to expire. This allows them to avoid any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord You will need to get a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency controls. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant is unable to allow the landlord to in, the landlord can attempt to persuade the tenant to let them in by sending them a letter that explains why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they do not let them in. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then think about initiating the eviction process by giving them an Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check that is carried out. This should be provided to current tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the test. The engineer will issue the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be distributed to the tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is a record and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online to reduce waste.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas safety checks. If a tenant refuses to admit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the check. This can include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for access. It could also involve contacting the local council who might be able to send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant is still refusing to grant access, the landlord should consider starting the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before making a decision.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and provide 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 any other person who is obligated by contract, should collaborate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential to find out who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it's important to check with the agency in advance to ensure that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord leases their property, they have to make sure that the place is safe for the people who live there. do homeowners need a gas safety certificate proves that all the gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been checked and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety checks done each year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who live there. The checks should be carried out by a 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 the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. gas safety certificate check must also give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let for a short time, such as the student house or holiday cottage. It's a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, he should make the necessary repairs as soon as he can. This could mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by seeing their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the rules for gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are very strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found in violation of the rules and is prosecuted, they could be fined and face fines or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord who needs to arrange an inspection of gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and carry out a thorough inspection and provide you with an CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. Contact us or visit our website today to learn more.
What is an annual gas check?
You are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety check every year if you lease out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, including pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas supply is turned on and the gas meter has money on it.
It's a good idea to provide your tenants with a copy of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and check has been carried out. 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 into. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could write a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property as well as the safety checks involved. If the tenant still refuses to allow access, you could consider launching a Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to schedule it separately or think about when you'll have to do it. You can also be assured that we've got your back in the event that you have to renew your insurance or amend any details.
For more information about our insurance for landlords you can visit the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a no-cost quote to find out more about the packages and how much you'll pay. Our no-price hike guarantee guarantees that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.