What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues regularly on site. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety inspection. The document should contain all the details regarding the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these items are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the completed form.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain a new certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This allows them to prevent any gaps in coverage and ensure the best security for their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate You will need to get an Gas Safe registered engineer 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 control. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work required to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord may attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to allow access by sending a clearly written letter explaining why they need the checks done and what would happen if they don't let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord may consider starting the eviction process by giving them the Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each inspection. This must be provided to existing tenants as well as new tenants prior to their move in. It is also necessary to keep the original document for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances in their property are inspected annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, which must be passed on to the tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document is a record that should be stored 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 in order to carry out the annual gas and service safety checks. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the check. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for access. It can also include calling the local council, who may be able send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant is still refusing to give access to the property, the landlord should think about starting the process of expulsion. While this should be considered a last option however, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior making this decision as it may be difficult.
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 landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the original landlord and any other person who has been given duties by contract, must collaborate to ensure that the requirements of the law are met.
It is important to find out if a landlord has hired an agent managing their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it is important to check with the agency prior to your visit to ensure that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the people who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been checked 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 provided to tenants. The checks must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of issue.
The landlord must also give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days after the completion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are exceptions to this rule but only if the property is used for short-term lets such as student housing or holiday cottages. It would be recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of hassle and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, they must make the necessary repairs in the shortest time possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules for landlords and gas safety inspections are strict and must also be observed. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even prison sentences.
If how long does a gas safety certificate last '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, carry out a full inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our website today for more information.
What is an annual gas check?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test all gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. The record must be handed out to any existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move into the property. It is also recommended to keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant does not allow you to carry out the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could write an email explaining why you need to access the property and the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is unwilling to let you in, you may think about the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
If you purchase an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about scheduling it separately or when you'll have to do it. You can be confident that our team will be there to assist you should you want to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about what's included and how much you'll have to pay. Our no-price hike guarantee means that your annual cost will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.