What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your obligations as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be examined every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the owner after an inspection for safety. This should include all of the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the completed document.
The law requires that all landlords have their property checked and receive an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require that landlords schedule their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection 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 every gas appliance and pipework in the house. In addition, the engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant refuses to let the landlord in, the landlord can try to convince them by sending them an email that explains why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they don't allow them entry. If this fails the landlord should look into initiating the eviction process by sending them a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being conducted. This should be provided to current tenants as well as to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. You must also keep the original document for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The CP12 must be given to the tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is a record and must be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to store them online in order to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords must also ensure that they can access the property to perform the annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant does not allow access, the law states that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the inspection. It could be necessary to write to the tenant and asking them to contact an engineer directly and to repeat requests for access. It could also involve contacting the local council who may be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant still refuses to give access the landlord should think about beginning the process of eviction. While this should be considered a last resort, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with security checks. This is a complex process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer prior to taking this step.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. This applies even if the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
It is important to find out whether a landlord has employed an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is worth checking with the agency ahead of time to ensure you are fully covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the people who live there. Gas safety certificates show 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 have their gas safety checks completed each year and that copies are given to the tenants who live there. The checks must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of the issue.
It is also a legal requirement that the landlord hand the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also give any 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 for a short duration, such as the student house or holiday cottage. It is recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement since it can save you a lot of stress and legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues are unsafe during the course of an inspection they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as they can. This could mean the removal and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are strict and must be complied with. If the landlord is found to not comply with the rules, they could face prosecution which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the offending party.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange for a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out a full check and issue a CP12 certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
You are legally accountable for a gas safety check every year if you rent out some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipes, flues and fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure everything is up to date and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also check that the gas supply is on and the gas meter has money in it.
It's a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and check was completed. It must be given to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to tenants who are new before moving in. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, then you 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 inspections that are required. If the tenant still refuses the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. do i need a gas safety certificate means you don't need to schedule it separately or fret about when you'll have to get it done. You can rest assured that our team will be available to assist you should you need to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. You can also enroll for a free quote to learn more about the packages and how much you'll have to pay. Our guarantee of no price increases means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.