What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your obligations as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. gas safe building regulations compliance certificate must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances at least once a year. You must also provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the property owner following an inspection for safety. 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 to ensure that all these items 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 an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month before the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and offer the most secure protection to their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will carry out a full examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are found to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct work required to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord could attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the checks done and what would happen if they don't allow them access. If this isn't working the landlord could decide to start the eviction process by delivering an Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being carried out. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move into your property. In addition, you must keep a copy the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are checked annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be distributed to the tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document is a record that should be stored by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property in order to conduct the annual service and gas safety inspections. The law stipulates that in the event a tenant refuses access, the landlord must use reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the inspection. It is possible to write to the tenant, ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeat requests for access. It can also include 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 inspections.
If a tenant continues to refuse to give access the landlord should think about initiating the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer prior to making a decision.
The landlord is accountable 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 an outside party. However, the original landlord, and anyone who has been assigned responsibilities by contract, must work together to ensure the requirements of the law are met.
It is crucial to determine if a landlord has hired an agent managing their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but it is important to consult with the agency to make sure that you are covered.
What is can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate for sub-let?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified engineer and deemed safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and that copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks should be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of the issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 days following the conclusion of any checks. Similarly, they must give new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let out for a brief time, such as an apartment for students or a holiday cottage. It would be a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, as it could save you a lot of trouble and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they must arrange for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are accountable 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 for gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are strict and must also be observed. If the landlord is found to be in breach of the rules, they could be prosecuted which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the party who committed the offense.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an entire inspection and issue a CP12 certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergencies. Contact us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
Legally, you are responsible for a gas safety check every year if you lease out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure everything is up to date and safe. They will test the gas appliances and flues and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas supply is on and the gas meter has money in it.
It is a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and test has been carried out. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants prior to moving in. It is also recommended to keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. However, if tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could mean writing a strong letter explaining why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant refuses to allow you access, you may be considering the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
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 need to do it. You can be assured that our team will be there to help you if you're looking to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. Sign up for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.