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 a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues at least once a year. You must also give a copy of your gas safety record to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate ?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a legal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety inspection. This document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the completed form.
The law requires that all landlords have their property 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 helps them avoid any lapses in coverage and ensure the best protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate you must get a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform a full examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. In addition, the engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance. If any appliances are deemed to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs required to bring them back up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant refuses to allow the landlord to in, the landlord could try to persuade them by delivering a letter that explains the reason for the checks and what will happen to them if they do not let them in. If this fails, the landlord can then think about initiating the eviction process by sending them a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being carried out. The record should be given to existing tenants, as well as any new tenants before they move into the property. In addition, you must also keep a copy of the lease for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the check. The engineer will provide an CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks following the test has been completed. The document is a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection, but it is recommended to store them online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas security inspections. The law states that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord must take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and carry out the inspection. It is possible to write to the tenant, asking them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeatedly request access. This could also mean contact with the local council, who might be able to send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant still refuses to allow access, the landlord should consider starting the process of eviction. While this should be a last option but it is legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult procedure, and landlords should consult a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework, appliances and flues they own and supply to tenants. This is true even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and anyone who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should work together, with clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
It is important to find out if a landlord has hired an agent managing their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but it is important to check with the agency to make sure that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate proves that all the gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been tested and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks must be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and date of issue.
It is also a legal requirement for landlords to provide the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let out for a brief time, such as a student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection they must make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This may involve disconnection and reconnection of 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 with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could face fines or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord who needs to schedule an inspection of gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property, carry out a full inspection and issue a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we can provide a same day service in the event of an emergency. Contact us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
You are legally accountable for a gas safety check every year, if you lease a part or all your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, including flues, pipework and any fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
A trained 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 filled up.
After the inspection and examination, it's a good idea to give an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to tenants in the period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving in. It is also recommended to keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections 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 writing a strong letter explaining why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant is still refusing, you can consider starting a Section 21 eviction process.
When you buy an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to organize it on your own or think about when you'll need to do it. You can be assured that our team will be there to assist you if you want to update your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information about our landlord insurance packages, please visit the Hometree website. landlord gas safety certificate how often can also sign up for a no-cost quote to learn more about the packages and how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price increase means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.