What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your obligations as a landlord with regards 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 on site annually. You must also give the gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is an official document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety inspection. It should contain all the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these items are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the completed form.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain a new certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. This will prevent any coverage lapse and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord gas safety certificate, you will need to make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will examine all gas appliances and pipework in the house. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them back up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If a tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord may attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to allow access by sending a clearly written letter outlining why they require the inspections to be conducted and what happens if they don't allow them to enter. If this doesn't work the landlord may look into initiating the eviction process by giving them the Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must provide your tenants with a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being carried out. It should be handed out to all tenants, including any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. You must also keep the original document for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the check. The engineer will give the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The document is required to be handed out to tenants in four weeks after the test is completed. This document is an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection, although it's advised to keep them online to minimize the amount of paper used.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property in order to conduct the annual service and gas safety inspections. The law stipulates that in the event a tenant refuses access, the landlord has to use reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the inspection. This can include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. It can also include calling the local council, who might be able to send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant still refuses to allow access to the property, the landlord should think about initiating the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this step as it may be difficult.
gas safety certificate cost is required to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However, the original landlord, and any other person who has been given duties by contract, should collaborate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is important to find out if a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but you should consult with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive 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 and a date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law for the landlord to give the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let out for a brief time, such as the student house or holiday cottage. It's recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement as it could save you a lot of hassle and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances aren't safe in the course of an inspection they must make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above the rules for gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are strict and must also be adhered to. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and face fines or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection for gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and conduct a thorough inspection and issue an CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we provide the same day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, such as flues, pipework and any fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure everything is up to date and safe. They will examine the gas appliances and flues and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also check that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter has money in it.
It's a good idea give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and verification has been carried out. It should be handed out to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving into. You should also keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant refuses to let you carry out the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could send a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property as well as the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant does not give you access and you are not able to gain access, you might want to consider a Section 21 eviction.
When you purchase an insurance policy for landlords through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. You don't need to worry about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will have to do it. You can also rest assured that we're here for you in the event that you have to renew your insurance or alter any information.
For more information about our landlord insurance packages, please visit the Hometree website. Register for a quote to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our guarantee of no price increases means that you will not pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.