What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your responsibilities as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances at least once a year. Also, you must provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is an official document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after carrying out a safety check. This should include all of the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these things are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the completed document.
The law requires that every landlord has their property checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections no later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This allows them to prevent any lapses in coverage and provide the best security for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must arrange for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant refuses to allow the landlord in, the landlord can attempt to persuade them by delivering an email that explains why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they do not let them in. If this fails the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by sending them a Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being carried out. This should be provided to existing tenants as well as new tenants prior to their move in. In addition, you should keep a copy the document for a period of two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the extent of the inspection. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be passed on to the tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is a record and must be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online in order to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service checks. The law states that if a tenant refuses access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the check. This could include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for access. It could also involve contacting the local council who may be able send an official round to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant refuses to 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 should consult with a lawyer prior to taking such a step.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipework as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and offer to tenants. This is the case even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and anyone else who is obligated through a contract, must work together to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.
It is crucial to determine if a landlord has hired an agent managing their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, however you must inquire with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents their property, they have to ensure that the property is safe for those who reside there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been inspected and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are carried out each year, and copies of the certificates are provided to tenants. The checks must be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of the issue.
The landlord must also give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days following the completion of any checks. Similarly, they must give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are exceptions to this rule however, in the case of a property being used for short-term leases like student housing or holiday cottages. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract to avoid legal issues in the future.
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 could involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above the regulations regarding landlords and gas safety inspections are strict and must also be followed. If a landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could face fines and even jail sentences for the offending party.
If you're a landlord and need to arrange for a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and conduct a thorough inspection and issue an CP12 gas safety certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If Full Statement lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including pipes and flues, and the fixtures and fittings that make use of or exhaust gas.
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 look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is topped up.
After the inspection and check, it's a great idea to provide the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants before they move into the property. It is also recommended to keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You can send an explanation in a letter of why you require access to the property and the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant still refuses the request, you may want to consider initiating an Section 21 eviction process.
When you buy a landlord insurance policy through Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to arrange it separately or worry about when you'll need to complete it. You can also rest assured that we've got your back if you need to renew your policy or change any information.
Visit the Hometree site for more information on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a free estimate to learn more about the coverage and how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price increases means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.