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. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances on site annually. You should also give a copy of your gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a formal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety inspection. It should contain all the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these things are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the completed form.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require landlords to schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This will help them avoid any coverage gaps and ensure the best security for their tenants.
To get a landlord gas safety certificate You will need to make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform an inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency controls. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord can attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection by sending a strongly worded letter that explains why they should have the checks done and what will happen if they don't let them in. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then think about initiating the eviction process by serving them with an Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of every check. The record should be provided to both existing tenants and any new tenants, before they move into the property. You must also keep the original records for a period of two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be given to the tenants within four weeks following 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 first inspection, however it is advised to keep them online to minimize paper waste.
Landlords also need to ensure that they can access the property to perform the annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that in the event the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the inspection. This can include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. You can also contact your local council, who may be able to send an official to explain why it's important to allow access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access, the landlord should consider beginning the process of eviction. While this should be considered a last option however, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords should consult a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and provide for use by the tenants. This is the case even if a landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone else who has been given duties by contract, must work together to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential that they find out who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it's important to check with the agency ahead of time to ensure that you are fully covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord rents their property, they have to ensure that it is safe for the residents who reside there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed engineer and deemed safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety inspections done each year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks must be performed by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number as well as a date of the issue.
It is also an obligation of law for the landlord to give the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. Similarly, the landlord must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move into.
There are some exceptions to this rule, however, in the case of a property being used for short-term leases such as holiday cottages or student housing. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract in order to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord discovers that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection they should arrange for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by examining their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords are very strict and must be adhered to. If gas safe register duplicate certificate is found in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and face fines or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord that needs to schedule an inspection of gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct a full check and issue a CP12 certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety check each year, if you lease some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that everything is safe and up-to date. They will test all gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter has money in it.
After the inspection and the inspection, it's a good idea to provide an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants prior to moving into. It is also recommended to keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant refuses to allow you to carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could include writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what safety checks will involve. If the tenant does not allow you access then you might think about an Section 21 eviction.
When you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord through Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. You don't need to worry about arranging it separately, or when you'll require it. You can also be confident that we're there for you should you need to renew your insurance or change any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a free quote to find out more about the packages and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price increases means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.