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. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be inspected each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also provide an original copy of your gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety inspection. It should contain all the details about the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the completed form.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections no later than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This will help them avoid any coverage gaps and provide the best protection for their tenants.
To obtain gas certificates who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will examine all gas appliances and pipework in the property. In addition the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant is unwilling to let the landlord in, the landlord can 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 refuse to allow them to enter. If this isn't working the landlord could consider starting the eviction by serving an Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being conducted. This must be provided to current tenants as well as any new tenants before they move in. In gas certificates , you must also keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances within their homes are regularly inspected by an Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the extent of the check. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The CP12 must be given to the tenants in four weeks after the test is completed. This document serves as an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection, but it is recommended that they are stored online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper used.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual gas and service safety inspections. The law stipulates that if tenants refuse access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain access and complete the check. It is possible to contact the tenant in writing, ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeatedly request entry. You can also contact the local council, who may be able to send an official to explain why it is important to allow access for safety and maintenance 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 expel tenants who refuse to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before making a decision.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and provide for use by the tenants. This is the case even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and any other person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should collaborate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
It is crucial to find out whether a landlord has employed an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is worth checking with the agency ahead of time to ensure that you are fully covered.
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 residents who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all the gas appliances and flues in the property have been checked and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are performed every year, and copies of the certificates are given to the tenants. The checks must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the 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 new tenants a copy of the CP12 form before they move into the property.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let for a short period of time, like an apartment for students or a holiday cottage. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, he should fix them as soon as he can. This could mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules for landlords and gas safety inspections are strict and must also be followed. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even jail sentences.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange for a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an extensive inspection and provide you with an CP12 certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service in the event of an emergency. Call us or visit our website today for more information.
What is an annual gas check?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety test. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, including pipes, flues and fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure everything is safe and up-to-date. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money on it.
It's a good idea to give your tenants an original copy of the gas safety report after the inspection and check was 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 in. You should also keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant does not allow you to carry out the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could mean sending a clearly written letter explaining why you need access to the property and what security checks will entail. If the tenant is still refusing the request, you may want to consider initiating an Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. This means that you don't need to arrange it separately or fret about when you'll have to complete it. You can be assured that our team will be there to help you if you want to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance plans for landlords you can visit the Hometree website. You can also enroll for a free quote to find out more about the coverage and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual cost won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.