What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's crucial to know your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances on site annually. You must also provide a copy gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety audit. The document should contain all information about the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these things 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 also require landlords to schedule their inspections not later than one month before the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect every gas appliance and pipework in the house. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct work needed in order to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unwilling to let the landlord in, the landlord could try to persuade them by sending them an explanation in the letter of the reason for the checks and what will happen to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then consider starting the eviction process by sending them an Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. This must be provided to current tenants as well as new tenants prior to their move into the property. You must also keep the original record for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost can range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will give the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The document must be given to the tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection, although it's recommended to store them online to minimize the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the inspection. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for entry. You may also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it's essential to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.
If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord may consider eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step as it can be complicated.
landlord safety certificate is accountable to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues to tenants. This applies even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and anyone who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is crucial to find out who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents who live there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks done every year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks must be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of the issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days after the completion of any checks. Similarly, they must give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let for a short duration, such as a student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement 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 arrange to have them repaired as soon as is possible. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by seeing their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations regarding gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found to not comply with the rules, they could face prosecution which could result in fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord and need to schedule an inspection for gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an entire inspection and issue the CP12 certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. Contact us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual gas check?
Legally, you are responsible for an annual gas safety inspection every year if you rent out a part or all your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, such as pipes, flues and fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that everything is safe and up-to date. They will test the flues and gas appliances and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is topped up.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to tenants in the period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving into. You should also keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could include sending a strongly worded letter stating why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant refuses to let you in and you are not able to gain access, you might want to consider a Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety check is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about scheduling it separately or when you'll need to do it. You can rest assured that our team will be there to assist you should you're looking to change your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more on our landlord insurance packages. Request a quote to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual cost won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.