What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's crucial to know your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are required for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances regularly on site. You must also give the gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the property owner following a safety inspection. It should contain all the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good condition and to provide copies of the document to their tenants.
All landlords are required by law to inspect their properties every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. The regulations require that landlords schedule their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This allows them to avoid any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate, you will need to make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform an examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work required to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord to in, the landlord could attempt to persuade them by delivering an email that explains the reason for the checks and what happens to them if they do not allow them to enter. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then think about initiating the eviction process by sending them a Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days following every check. The record should be provided to both existing tenants and any new tenants, prior to the time they move into your property. In addition, you must keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances within their property are inspected 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 check. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The CP12 must be provided to tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. This document is a record that must be kept by the landlord two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store the documents online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service checks. The law stipulates that in the event the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to use reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the check. It could be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, request that they contact an engineer directly, and to repeatedly request access. This could also mean calling the local council, who may be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant still refuses to grant access to the property, the landlord should think about starting the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and any other person who has been assigned responsibilities through a contract, must collaborate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is essential to determine if a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to ensure that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the people living there. A gas safety certificate proves that all the gas appliances and flues in the property have been inspected and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety checks done every year and that copies are given to the tenants who live there. The checks must be performed by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and date of issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days following the conclusion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide any new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move into the property.
There are exceptions to this rule, however, when the property is used for short-term lets like holiday cottages or student housing. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord finds that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe in the process of an inspection, they should arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. This could involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to 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 a landlord is found in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and face fines or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord who needs 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 the CP12 gas safety certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service in the event of an emergency. Call gas certificates or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual gas safety check?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety check. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, and any fittings and fixtures that make use of or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will test the flues and gas appliances and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas supply is on and the gas meter has money in it.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants before they move in. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This may include sending a strongly worded 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 an Section 21 eviction process.
When you purchase an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. You don't need to worry about arranging it separately, or when you will need to do it. You can also be confident that we're here for you in the event that you have to renew your policy or amend any details.
Visit the Hometree site for more information about our landlord insurance plans. Register for an estimate to find out more about the coverage and price. Our no-price hike guarantee means that your annual cost will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.