What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your obligations as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances regularly on site. Also, you must provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the property owner following an inspection to ensure safety. The document should contain all information about the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that the items are in good order and to send copies of the completed form to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. This allows them to avoid any coverage lapse and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will examine the gas appliances and pipes in the house. Additionally the engineer will examine the emergency controls of each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord can try to persuade them to allow access by sending a clearly written letter that explains why they should have the checks to be completed and what would happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this isn't working the landlord might think about initiating the eviction process by delivering the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being conducted. This must be provided to existing tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, you must keep a copy the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the extent of the test. The engineer will give an CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is a proof of the inspection and should be stored by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online to reduce the amount of waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law says that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the check. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for access. You can also contact your local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it is crucial to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. While this is not a last option, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this action because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is responsible to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues to tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However, the original landlord, and anyone else who is obligated by contract, should cooperate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is crucial to know who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to ensure that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents living there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been checked and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and that copies of the certificates are given to the tenants. The checks should be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number as well as a date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are some exceptions to this rule however, in the case of a property being used for short-term lets like student housing or holiday cottages. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord finds that any of their appliances or flues are unsafe during the process of an inspection, they must make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by examining their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to not comply with the rules, they may be charged and could face fines and even jail sentences for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord and need to schedule 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 you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we can provide a same day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety check. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as flues, pipework and any fixtures and fittings that use 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 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 on it.
After the inspection and the check, it's a great idea to provide an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could write an email explaining why you need to access the property and the security checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is still refusing the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase an insurance policy for landlords 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 need to do it. You can be assured that our team will be there to assist you if you need to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For gas safety certificate cp12 about our insurance for landlords you can visit the Hometree website. Sign up for a quote to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our no price hike promise means that your annual cost will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.