What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's important to understand your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances regularly on site. You should also provide an original copy of your gas safety record to each tenant.
What is a 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 a property following conducting a safety inspection. The document should contain all information about the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these items are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with 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. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to avoid any lapse in coverage and gives the best protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must arrange for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform an examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord to in, the landlord can attempt to persuade them by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they refuse to let them in. If this isn't working the landlord might think about initiating the eviction process by delivering the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each inspection. It should be handed out to all tenants, including any new tenants prior to when they move into your property. You should also keep the original record for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the nature of the inspection. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, which must be handed over to the tenants within four weeks after 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 initial inspection, although it's advised to keep 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 for annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that if a tenant refuses access, the landlord must take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and carry out the inspection. It could be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, asking them to contact an engineer directly and repeatedly request entry. This could also mean contact with the local council, who may be able to send an official round to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access and the landlord is considering eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step as it can be complicated.
The landlord is responsible to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This is the case even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should work together, with an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is essential to find out who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but you should inquire with the agency to ensure that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents their property, they must make sure that it is safe for the people living there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed engineer and found to be safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are performed each year, and copies of the certificates are given to the tenants. 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 the issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the completion of any checks. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants before they move in.
There are some exceptions to this rule, however, when the property is used for short-term leases like student housing or holiday cottages. It is a good idea to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement since it can save you a lot of stress and legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that any of their flues or appliances aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they should arrange to have them repaired as soon as is possible. gas safe certificate check may involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found be in violation of the regulations, they may be charged which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the person who is in breach.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange for a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an entire inspection and provide you with the CP12 certificate. We offer competitive rates 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 check?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it's your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, which includes flues, pipework and any fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that everything is safe and up-to-date. They will examine the gas appliances and flues and look for indications 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.
It's a good idea to give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and check was completed. It must be given to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants prior to moving into. Keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses access to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This could mean sending a clearly written letter explaining why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant is still refusing to allow access, you could consider launching the Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to organize it on your own or worry about when you'll have to do it. You can also rest assured that we've got your back should you need to renew your insurance or change any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. Register for a quote to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our guarantee of no price increases means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.