What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your responsibilities as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances on site annually. Also, you must give a copy of your gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the owner following a safety inspection. The document should include all the details regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good order and to provide 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 also require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This will prevent any coverage lapse and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will carry out a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found 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 certificate.
If a tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to convince them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter outlining why they require the checks to be completed and what will happen in the event they refuse to allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord could decide to start the eviction process by serving an Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days following each check. It should be handed out to both existing tenants and any new tenants prior to when they move into your property. You should also keep the original records for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, and it must be passed on to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document serves as an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, although it's advised to keep them online to reduce the amount of paper used.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual gas and service safety inspections. The law states that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain access and complete the check. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. It can also include calling the local council, who may be able send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant still refuses to allow access the landlord should think about beginning the process of expulsion. While this should be considered a last option, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this step because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is responsible to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This applies even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and any person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements should work together, with clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
It is essential to determine if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it is important to check with the agency prior to your visit to be certain that you are fully covered.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been tested and deemed to be safe by an accredited gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety inspections done every year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks must be performed by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and a date of issue.
It is also legal for landlords to provide the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form before they move into the property.
There are exceptions to this policy but only if the property is used for short-term lets such as holiday cottages for students or student housing. It is a good idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of trouble and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues aren't safe during the process of an inspection, they should arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. how much gas safety certificate could involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by looking at their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations governing landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found to be in breach of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could face fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord and need to schedule 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 issue you with an CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer a same day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, including pipework, flues, and fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure everything is up to date and safe. They will examine the gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is topped up.
After the inspection and the inspection, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be handed out to tenants in the period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving into. Keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could send an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property and the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant still refuses to allow access, you could consider launching a Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety check is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about arranging it separately, or when you'll have to do it. You can also rest assured that we're there for you should you need to renew your policy or alter any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. Request a quote to learn more about the coverage and price. Our promise of no price increase means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.