What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it's important to understand your responsibilities when it comes to the gas safety of your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances on site annually. Also, you must provide a copy of your gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following carrying out a safety check. The document should contain all the details regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that these items are in good working order and to give copies of the completed form 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 plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of their current certificate. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework in the property. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency control for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to persuade them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter explaining why they need the inspections to be conducted and what would happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this doesn't work the landlord might consider starting the eviction by delivering a Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after every check. This must be provided to existing tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. It is also necessary to keep the original records for a period of two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. 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. This document is an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection, although it's recommended to store them online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual gas and service security inspections. The law stipulates that in the event the tenant refuses access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the check. It may be necessary to write to the tenant, ask them to contact an engineer directly and to repeat requests for entry. You can also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant does not allow access and the landlord is considering the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult procedure, and landlords should consult with a lawyer prior to making a decision.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is the case even if the property has been entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any other person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements should collaborate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
It is essential to determine whether a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but you should inquire with the agency to make sure that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed engineer and are deemed safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety inspections done each year, and to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. 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 the date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. Similarly, the landlord must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move in.
There are some exceptions to this rule but only if the property is used for short-term lets such as holiday cottages or student housing. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract in order to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, they must fix them as soon as he can. This could mean 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 a photo ID prior to completing any work.
Despite landlord gas safety certificate cp12 discussed above, the regulations around landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be complied with. If the landlord is found not comply with the regulations, they may be charged and could face fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord and need to arrange an inspection for gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an entire inspection and provide you with an CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
Legally, you are responsible for an annual gas safety check each year if you rent out some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is current and safe. They will examine 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 on it.
It is a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety record after the inspection and verification was carried out. It must be provided to any existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants prior to they move into the property. You should keep an original copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant refuses to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, 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 the security checks will be. If the tenant refuses to allow you access and you are not able to gain access, you might think about a Section 21 eviction.
When you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't have to schedule it separately or fret about when you'll need get it done. You can be confident that our team will be there to assist you should you want to update your policy details or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance for landlords check out the Hometree website. Register for a quote to learn more about the coverage and cost. 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.