What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it's important to understand your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances at least once a year. Also, you must provide an original copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a formal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety audit. The document should include all the details regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good order and to give copies of the document to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require landlords to schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any coverage lapse and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will perform an exhaustive inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency control for each appliance. If any appliances are found to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work required to bring them up to standard and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to convince them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter that explains why they should have the checks to be completed and what happens if they don't allow them access. If this isn't working the landlord could decide to start the eviction process by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must give your tenants a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being carried out. This must be provided to current tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. You must also keep the original record for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the check. The engineer will give an CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document must be given to the tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. This document is an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection, however it is recommended that they are stored online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords also need to make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service inspections. If a tenant refuses to permit access, the law states that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the inspection. It is possible to write to the tenant, request that they contact an engineer directly and to make repeated requests for entry. You can also contact your local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it's important to allow access for maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant does not allow access and the landlord is considering eviction. While this is not a last resort however, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This is a complex procedure, and landlords should consult a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This is true regardless of whether the property is wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
It is crucial to determine whether a landlord has employed 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 inquire with the agency ahead of time to ensure you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents their property they need to make sure that it is safe for the residents living there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been checked and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety inspections done each year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside there. The checks should be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and a date of the issue.
It is also legal that the landlord hand the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants before they move into.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let out for a brief time, such as the student house or holiday home. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract in order to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that any of their flues or appliances aren't safe in the process of an inspection, they must make arrangements for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This could mean 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 seeing their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above the rules for gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are very strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even prison sentences.
If you're a landlord and need to arrange an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we can provide the same day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our site for more details.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are accountable for a gas safety check every year, if you lease a part or all your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances like flues and pipework, and the fixtures and fittings that utilize or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that all is in good order 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 supply is working and the gas meter has money in it.
It is a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety record after the inspection and check was completed. gas safety certificate homeowner should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. You should also keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could mean sending a clearly written letter stating why you require access to the property and what safety checks will involve. If the tenant continues to refuse the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about scheduling it separately or when you'll have to do it. You can be assured that our team will be available to help you if you're looking to update your policy details or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. Request an estimate to find out more about the coverage and costs. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.