What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it's important to understand your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be examined every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also provide a copy of the gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords 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 are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good working order and to send copies of the document to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties examined and obtain an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month before the certificate due to expire. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and gives the best protection for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. landlord gas safety certificate cp12 will carry out an exhaustive inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. Additionally, the engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous 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 attempt to persuade the tenant to let them in by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they refuse to allow them entry. If this doesn't work the landlord could consider starting the eviction by serving a Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being carried out. This should be given to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, prior to the time they move into your property. You should also keep the original record for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate 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 of the test can vary from PS60 to PS120, depending on the nature of the inspection. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be distributed to the tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. The document is a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection, although it's recommended that they are stored online to minimize the amount of paper used.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas safety checks. If a tenant refuses to allow access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the check. This could include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. It could also involve contacting the local council who may be able send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access to maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant does not let access in to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this step because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes, appliances and flues that they own and offer to tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to a third party. However, the original landlord, and anyone who has been assigned responsibilities by contract, should collaborate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has enlisted the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is important to know who is in charge of conducting the gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it's worth checking with the agency prior to your visit to be certain that you are fully covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord rents out their property they need to ensure that it is safe for the people living there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all the gas appliances and flues in the property have been checked and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks completed each year and that copies are given to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and a 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, the landlord must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
There are exceptions to this rule but only if the property is used for short-term lets such as holiday cottages or student housing. It is a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, as it could save you a lot of trouble and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as is possible. This could involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing landlords and gas safety checks are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even prison sentences.
If you're a landlord and need to arrange a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and conduct a thorough inspection and issue the CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer the same day service for emergencies. For more information, give us the number or visit our website today.
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 test. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, including pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will examine the gas appliances and flues and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas supply is turned on and that the gas meter has money in it.
After the inspection and the check, it's a great idea to give a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. 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 a copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificate s and checks for their properties. If a tenant does not permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could mean sending a strongly worded letter explaining why you need access to the property and what security checks will entail. If the tenant refuses to give you access, you may think about an Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety check is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to schedule it separately or fret about when you'll need to get it done. You can also be confident that we're there for you should you need to renew your policy or amend any details.
For more information about our landlord insurance packages check out the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about the coverage and the cost you'll be paying. Our no price hike promise guarantees that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.