What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your responsibilities as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues at least once a year. You must also provide a copy of the gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the property owner following a safety inspection. The document should contain all information about the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the items are in good condition and to send copies of the document to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. This allows them to prevent any gaps in coverage and offer the most secure security for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework in the property. In addition, the engineer will also examine the emergency controls of each appliance. 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 try to convince them to let them in by writing a strong letter that explains why they should have the inspections to be conducted and what will happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this fails the landlord might think about initiating the eviction process by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
Your tenants must receive an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days following each inspection. This should be given to both existing tenants and any new tenants, prior to the time they move into your property. You must also keep the original document for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances within their homes are regularly inspected by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be provided to tenants in four weeks after the test is completed. The document is a proof of the inspection and should be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the initial inspection. It's recommended to store the documents online to reduce waste.
Landlords must also ensure that they can access the property to perform the annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that in the event tenants refuse access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the check. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for entry. You can also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's essential to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in and the landlord is considering the possibility of eviction. While this should be a last option however, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this action as it may be difficult.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This applies regardless of whether the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must work together, with clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is crucial to find out who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is important to inquire with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?
When a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the residents who reside there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all the gas appliances and flues within the property have been checked and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety checks completed every year and that copies are given to the tenants who live there. The checks should be carried out by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number as well as a date of issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 working days after the completion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide any new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move 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 as part of your tenancy contract in order to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers their appliances or flues do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, they must repair them as soon as he can. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must make sure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are strict and must be adhered to. If find more is found to be in violation of the rules, they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord and need to arrange an inspection for gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection and issue the CP12 gas safety certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety check each year if you lease out a part or all your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, and any fittings and fixtures that utilize or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also check that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money in it.
After the inspection and the examination, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. Keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain access. You could write an email explaining why you have to gain access to the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant is unwilling to give you access, you may want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
If 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 will need to do it. You can also rest assured that we've got your back should you need to renew your insurance or change any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. Sign up for an estimate to find out more about the coverage and price. Our promise of no price hikes means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.