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 required for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues on site annually. Also, you must provide a copy of the 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 property owner following an inspection to ensure safety. It should contain all the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. gas safety certificate cp12 have a legal obligation to ensure that these items are in good condition and to send copies of the document to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months, and to obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. The regulations require that landlords plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of their current certificate. This allows them to avoid any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will perform an examination of all gas appliances and installation pipes within 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 repairs needed in order to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord to in, the landlord may attempt to persuade them by delivering a letter that explains why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they refuse to let them in. If this fails, the landlord can then think about initiating the eviction process by serving them with a Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must provide your tenants with a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being carried out. This should be provided to existing tenants, as well as new tenants prior to their move in. In addition, you must keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost could range from PS60 to PS120 based on the scope of the check. The engineer will issue an CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. This document is required to be handed out to tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is a record and should be stored by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep the documents online to reduce the amount of waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual service and gas security inspections. If a tenant does not allow access, the law says that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the check. This may include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. It could also involve calling the local council, who may be able send an official round to explain the necessity of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to grant access to the property, the landlord should think about starting the process of eviction. While this should be considered a last resort however, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer prior to taking this step.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone else who has been given duties by contract, must collaborate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements.
It is important to determine if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but it is important to consult with the agency to ensure that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord rents their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for the people who live there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified 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 provided to the tenants. The checks must be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue.
It is also a legal requirement for the landlord to give the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. The landlord must also give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
There are exceptions to this rule but only in the case of a property being used for short-term lets like student housing or holiday cottages. Include gas safe building regulations compliance certificate in the terms of your tenancy agreement to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues are unsafe during the course of an inspection they must make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This may involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations around landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could face fines or even prison sentences.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an entire inspection and issue an CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we can provide a same day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like flues and pipework, as well as the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that everything is safe and up-to date. They will test all the gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money on it.
It's a good idea to provide your tenants with copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and verification was completed. It should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants before they move into the property. Keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses to allow you to carry out the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could write a letter explaining the reason you need to access the property and the security inspections that are required. If the tenant is still refusing, you can consider starting an Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. This means that you don't need to schedule it separately or think about when you'll need to get it done. You can be assured that our team will be available to assist you if you need to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information about our insurance plans for landlords check out the Hometree website. Request an estimate to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price increases means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.