What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it's important to understand your responsibilities when it comes to the gas safety of your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are required for landlords.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be inspected every year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also give a copy of your gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a formal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety inspection. The document should contain all the information regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these items are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the completed form.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections at least one month before expiration of the current certificate. This helps them avoid any coverage lapse and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord, you will need to arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes in the property. Additionally, the engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will advise you on the correct work needed in order to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unable to allow the landlord to in, the landlord could try to convince the tenant to let them in by sending them an email that explains why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they don't allow them entry. If this fails the landlord should look into initiating the eviction process by serving them with an Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check that is carried out. This should be provided to current tenants, as well as any new tenants before they move into the property. It is also necessary to keep the original document for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances in their properties are checked annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The CP12 must be given to the tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. The document is a record that should be stored by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store them online in order to reduce waste.
Landlords also need to ensure that they can access the property for annual gas safety and service checks. The law stipulates that if a tenant refuses access, the landlord has to use reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the check. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and asking them to contact an engineer directly and to repeat requests for access. You can also contact the local council, who may be able to send an official to explain why it's important to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in and the landlord is considering eviction. While this should be considered a last resort however, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. This is a complex process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework, appliances and flues that they own and provide to tenants. This is the case even if a landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone who is obligated through a contract, must collaborate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is important to know who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is worth checking with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are fully covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents their property, they must make sure that the place 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 get their gas safety checks done each year, and to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks should be carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the completion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let for a short period of time, like an apartment for students or a holiday home. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers their flues or appliances do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, he must fix them in the shortest time possible. This could mean the removal and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations for landlords and gas safety inspections are strict and must also be observed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the rules, they could be prosecuted and could face fines or even jail sentences.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection, and issue you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our website today to learn more.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it's your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, as well as any fittings and fixtures that make use of or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure everything is up to date and safe. They will test the flues and gas appliances and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter has money in it.
It's a good idea to provide your tenants with a copy of the completed gas safety record after the inspection and verification 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. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you use.
Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. However, if tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This may include writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what safety checks will involve. If the tenant continues to refuse to allow access, you could consider launching the Section 21 eviction process.
When you purchase an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will require it. You can be confident that our team will be available to assist you if you want to update your policy details or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. Register for an estimate to find out more about the coverage and costs. Our no-price hike guarantee guarantees that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.