What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it's important to understand your responsibilities in relation to the gas safety of your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances on site annually. Also, you must provide a copy of the gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner following a safety inspection. This should include all of the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the items are in good order and to give copies of the document to their tenants.
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 prior to expiration of the current certificate. 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 inspect the gas appliances and pipes in the house. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct repair work required to bring them back up to standard and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unwilling to let the landlord in, the landlord may try to persuade them by delivering a letter that explains why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they do not let them in. If this fails, the landlord can then consider starting the eviction process by giving them an Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. This must be provided to current tenants, as well as new tenants prior to their move into the property. You should also keep the original records for a period of two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
In general, landlords are responsible to ensure that all gas appliances in their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost could range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the scope of the test. The engineer will give a CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be given to the tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. The document is a record that must be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the initial inspection. It's recommended to store them online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to admit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the inspection. It is possible to write to the tenant, ask them to contact an engineer directly and to repeat requests for entry. It can also include calling the local council, who might be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in to the property, the landlord could consider eviction. While this should be considered a last resort, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes, appliances and flues that they own and provide to tenants. This is the case even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
It is essential to determine if a landlord has hired an agent managing their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is important to check with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents living there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified engineer and found to be safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and copies of the certificates are given to the tenants. 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 the issue.
The landlord must also give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 working days after the completion of any checks. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move in.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let out for a brief time, such as a student house or holiday home. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy agreement to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, he should repair them as soon as possible. This may involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords must make sure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and face fines or even prison sentences.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange for an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an entire inspection and provide you with a CP12 certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we provide the same day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us a an email or call us on our website today.
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 and any other gas appliances, including flues, pipework and any fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test the gas appliances and flues and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is topped up.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be handed out to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving in. Keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificate s and inspections for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to let you carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could include sending a clearly written letter stating why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant is still refusing 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 need to worry about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will need to do it. You can rest assured that our team will be there to assist you should you want to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information on our landlord insurance packages, please visit the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about what's included and how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price increase means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.