What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it is important to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances at least once a year. You must also give a 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 carrying out a safety check. This should include all of the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that these items are in good working order and to provide copies of the completed document to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their property inspected and get a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any coverage lapse and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will examine the gas appliances and pipes in the house. In addition the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord may attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection by sending a strongly worded letter outlining why they require the inspections to be conducted and what will happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this fails the landlord should look into initiating the eviction process by giving them a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must give your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check that is carried out. This should be given to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move into your property. You must also keep the original record for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost of the test can range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the nature of the test. The engineer will issue the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be passed on to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is a proof of the inspection and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store them online in order to reduce waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to perform the annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to admit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to complete the inspection. This could include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. It can also include contact with the local council, who might be able to send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant does not let access in, the landlord may consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and any other person who has been given duties by contract, should cooperate to ensure that the requirements of the law are met.
If a landlord has enlisted the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is crucial to know who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is important to check with the agency prior to your visit to be certain that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord rents out their property they need to ensure that it is safe for the residents living there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all the gas appliances and flues in the property have been tested and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks done each year, and to ensure that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be conducted 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 provide tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 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.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let out for a brief time, such as the student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, he should make the necessary repairs as soon as he can. This may involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check 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 observed. If a landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and could face penalties of fines or even jail time for the party who committed the offense.
If you're a landlord and need to arrange 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 issue you with an CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergencies. Contact us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
If you lease out a 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, which includes flues, pipework and any fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure everything is up to date and safe. They will examine the flues and gas appliances and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also check that the gas supply is on and the gas meter has money in it.
After the inspection and the examination, it's a good idea to give an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants before they move into the property. Keep Our Web Page for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses access to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could write a letter explaining the reason you need to access the property and the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant does not give you access and you are not able to gain access, you might want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
When you buy a landlord insurance policy with Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will require it. You can rest assured that our team will be there to help you if you're looking to update your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information about our insurance for landlords check out the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a no-cost quote to learn more about the coverage and how much you'll pay. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.