What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it's crucial to know your obligations when it comes to the gas safety of your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are required for landlords.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give a copy of your gas safety record to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the owner following an inspection for safety. The document should include all information about the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these items are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the completed form.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties checked and receive an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. This helps them avoid any gaps in coverage and offer the most secure security for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's Gas Safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need 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 each appliance's emergency controls. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct work required to bring them back up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord could attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to allow access by sending a clearly written letter outlining why they require the checks done and what would happen should they refuse to let them in. If this doesn't work, the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by serving the tenant with 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 the date each check is being carried out. The record should be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move in. In addition, you should also keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can vary from PS60 to PS120 depending on the extent of the check. The engineer will issue a CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 must be provided to tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. This document is a record and should be stored by the landlord two years after the date of the initial inspection. It's recommended to store the documents online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to perform the annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the check. This can include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for access. It can also include calling the local council, who might be able to send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant still refuses to grant access the landlord should think about starting the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to making this decision as it can be complicated.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes, appliances and flues they own and supply to tenants. This is true even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and anyone who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements must work together, with clear division of duties, to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
If a landlord has hired 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 check with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks must be carried out by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of the issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 days following the conclusion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move into the property.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let for a short duration, such as a student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract in order to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues aren't safe during the course of an inspection they must arrange for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations regarding landlords and gas safety inspections are extremely strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found in violation of the rules they could be prosecuted and face fines or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection of gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection and issue the CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergencies. Contact us or visit our site today to learn more.
What is an annual gas check?
You are legally obliged to conduct an annual gas safety inspection every year, if you lease some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test the flues and gas appliances, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is topped up.
It is a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety record after the inspection and check has been carried out. It must be provided to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving in. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents that you use.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. You could write a letter explaining the reason you need to access the property and the security checks involved. If the tenant is unwilling to let you in and you are not able to gain access, you might think about a Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will have to do it. You can also be confident that we're there for you if you need to renew your insurance or amend any details.
For more information about our insurance plans for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. Request a quote to learn more about the coverage and price. Our no price hike promise means that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.