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 examine your flues and appliances on site annually. Also, you must provide a copy gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is an official document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety audit. The document should include all the information regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good condition and to send copies of the document to their tenants.
The law requires that every landlord has their property inspected and get a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month before the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord You will need to make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework within the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency controls. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct work required to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord can attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the inspections to be conducted and what happens if they don't allow them access. If this fails, the landlord may decide to start the eviction process by delivering the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being conducted. The record should be provided to all tenants, including any new tenants, before they move into the property. In addition, you should keep a copy of the record 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. gas safe installation certificate is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. The engineer will issue a CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The document must be given to the tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. This document serves as an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection, however it is advised to keep them online to help reduce the amount of paper waste.
Landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to perform the annual gas safety and service inspections. If a tenant refuses to admit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to complete the inspection. This may 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 may be able to send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to give access to the property, the landlord should think about initiating the process of expulsion. While this should be considered a last resort however, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this step as it can be complicated.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and provide to tenants. This is true even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and anyone who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential to know who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it's important to inquire with the agency in advance to ensure that you are fully covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for the people who live 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. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety inspections done each year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside 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 legal for landlords to provide the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants before they move in.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let for a short time, such as a student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract in order to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord discovers that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as is possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords must make sure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to completing any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found to be in breach of the regulations, they could be prosecuted, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and carry out a thorough inspection, and issue you with an CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it is your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure 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 ensure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is charged up.
It's a good idea provide your tenants with copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and check 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 tenants who are new before moving in. Keep a copy for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could mean sending a clearly written letter explaining why you require access to the property and what security checks will entail. If the tenant is unwilling to let you in, you may be considering a Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't need to organize it on your own or worry about when you'll have to get it done. 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.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. You can also enroll for a free quote to find out more about the packages and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.