What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your responsibilities as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Landlords must adhere to 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 give an original copy of your gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Check This Out is an official document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety inspection. The document should include all information about the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good operating order and to provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month before the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to prevent any gaps in coverage and offer the most secure protection for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must get an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will inspect every gas appliance and pipework in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are found to be dangerous the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unable to allow the landlord to in, the landlord could attempt to persuade them by sending them an email that explains the reason for the checks and what will happen to them if they do not allow them to enter. If this doesn't work the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after every check. This must be provided to current tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
In general, landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances within their homes are regularly inspected by an Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost of the test can vary from PS60 to PS120 based on the nature of the inspection. The engineer will give the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 must be given to the tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. The document is an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, although it's recommended that they are stored online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property in order to conduct the annual gas and service security inspections. If a tenant is unwilling to allow access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to complete the inspection. This may include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for access. 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 still refuses to grant access to the property, the landlord should think about starting the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer prior to making a decision.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and offer to tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the original landlord and anyone else who has been assigned responsibilities by contract, should work together to ensure the requirements of the law are met.
It is important to find out if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, however you must inquire with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents out their property they need to ensure that it is safe for those living there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are performed every year, and that copies of the certificates are given to the tenants. The checks should be carried out by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and a date of the issue.
It is also legal for landlords to provide the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants before they move into.
There are exceptions to this policy but only in the case of a property being used for short-term rentals such as holiday cottages for students or student housing. It's recommended to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of stress and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers their flues or appliances are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, he must make the necessary repairs in the shortest time possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by examining their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found in violation of the rules, they could be prosecuted and face fines or even prison sentences.
If you're a landlord and need to arrange an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property, carry out a full inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we can provide the same day service for emergencies. Contact us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are obliged to conduct an annual gas safety inspection every year if you lease out some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like flues and pipework, and any fixtures and fittings which use or exhaust gas.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas supply is turned on and the gas meter has money on it.
After the inspection and examination, it's a good idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving in. You should keep a copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant refuses access to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. This could include writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant does not give you access, you may be considering an Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't need to schedule it separately or worry about when you'll need to complete it. You can also rest assured that we've got your back in the event that you have to renew your policy or alter any information.
For more information about our insurance plans for landlords you can visit the Hometree website. You can also enroll for a free quote to learn more about what's included and how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price increases means that you will not pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.