What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it's important to understand your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be examined each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide a copy of your gas safety record to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the property owner following a safety inspection. This should include all of the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good functioning order and give their tenants copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and obtain a new certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least one month before expiration of the current certificate. This will help them avoid any gaps in coverage and ensure the best protection for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord You will need to make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework in the house. In addition, the engineer will also examine the emergency controls of each appliance. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work required to bring them up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unable to let the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince them by delivering a letter that explains why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they do not let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by serving a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being carried out. The record should be given to existing tenants as well as to new tenants prior to their move in. It is also necessary to keep the original document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, which must be distributed to 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 after 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.
The landlords must also ensure that they can access the property for annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law states that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the check. It could be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, asking them to contact an engineer directly and repeat requests for entry. You can also contact the local council, who may be able to send an official to explain why it's important to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant is still refusing to grant access to the property, the landlord should think about starting the process of eviction. While this should be a last option however, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer before making a decision.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes, appliances and flues that they own and provide for use by the tenants. This is the case even if a landlord sublets the property to a third party. However the original landlord and anyone who has been given duties by contract, should cooperate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is crucial to find out who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Some agents are responsible for this, but it is important to check with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are fully covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the residents who reside there. A gas safety certificate shows that all the gas appliances and flues in the property have been checked and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. 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 should be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of the issue.
It is also legal for the landlord to give tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move in.
There are exceptions to this rule, however, in the case of a property being used for short-term rentals such as holiday cottages or student housing. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy agreement to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord finds that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection they must arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are very strict and must be complied with. If how long does gas safety certificate last is found to 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 and want to arrange for an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an extensive inspection and issue a CP12 certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
You are legally accountable for an annual gas safety inspection every year if you lease out some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including pipes and flues as well as the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that all is in good order 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 check that the gas supply is turned on and the gas meter has money in it.
After the inspection and the examination, it's a good idea to provide the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to tenants in the period of 28 days and to tenants who are new before moving into. Keep a copy for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could mean sending a clearly written letter explaining why you need access to the property and what security checks will entail. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting a Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. There's no need to fret about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will require it. You can be confident that our team will be there to help you if you want to update your policy details or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. Register for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our promise of no price hikes means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.