What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your responsibilities as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues regularly on site. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner after an inspection for safety. This document should contain all the information regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that these items are in good working order and to provide copies of the completed form to their tenants.
The law requires that every landlord has their property examined and obtain an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord You will need to make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform an examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. Additionally the engineer will examine the emergency controls of each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to convince them to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the checks to be completed and what will happen should they refuse to allow them to enter. If this fails, the landlord can then consider starting the eviction process by sending them the Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. This should be provided to existing tenants as well as to new tenants prior to their move in. You must also keep the original document for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate 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 cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will provide an CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document must be provided to tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. This document serves as a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection, although it's advised to keep them online to minimize the amount of paper used.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord must use reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the inspection. It could be necessary to write to the tenant, ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeat requests for entry. This could also mean contacting the local council who may be able to send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant is still refusing to allow access the landlord should think about starting the process of eviction. While this should be considered a last resort, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this action as it may be difficult.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and offer to tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone else who is obligated through a contract, must work together to ensure the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has hired the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is essential that they find out who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. 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 protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
If a landlord leases their property, they have to ensure that the property is safe for the people who reside there. A gas safety certificate shows that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been inspected and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are performed each year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of the issue.
The landlord must also give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days following the conclusion of any checks. The landlord must also provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into.
There are some exceptions to this rule however, in the case of a property being used for short-term rentals such as student housing or holiday cottages. It would be an ideal idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement because it will save you a lot of trouble and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord determines that their flues or appliances aren't safe during the course of an inspection they must arrange for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by seeing their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the rules, they could be prosecuted and could face fines or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to assist 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 provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we provide an same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
Legally, you are obliged to conduct an annual gas safety check each year, if you lease some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including flues and pipework, as well as any fittings and fixtures that make use of or exhaust gas.
what is gas safety certificate trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is current and safe. They will examine the gas appliances and flues and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also check that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter has money on it.
It's a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety report after the inspection and verification has been carried out. It must be provided to any existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. Keep a copy for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You can send an explanation in a letter of why you require access to the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant continues to refuse to allow access, you could consider launching an Section 21 eviction process.
When you buy an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. You don't need to worry about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will require it. You can rest assured that our team will be there to assist you should you want to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information about our insurance plans for landlords check out the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a free quote to find out more about the packages and how much you'll have to pay. Our guarantee of no price increases means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.