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 give a copy of your gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner after a safety inspection. The document should include all information about the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that these items are in good order and to provide copies of the completed form to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties checked and receive an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of the current certificate. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and ensure the best protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate, you will need to get a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will carry out an exhaustive inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency controls. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct work needed in order to bring them back up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord can attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to allow access by sending a clearly written letter that explains why they should have the inspections to be conducted and what would happen should they refuse to allow them to enter. If this isn't working the landlord could decide to start the eviction process by serving an Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each check. This should be given to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
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 cost can range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will provide an CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The document is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks following the test has been completed. The document is a record that should be stored by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online in order to reduce waste.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas security checks. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and complete the inspection. It is possible to write to the tenant, request that they contact an engineer directly, and to repeatedly request entry. It could also involve contact with the local council, who may be able send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access to maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord may consider eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who refuse to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step as it may be difficult.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. This is the case even if the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and anyone who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should work together, with an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential that they find out who is responsible for organizing the gas safety test. Some agents are responsible for this, but it's important to inquire with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are fully protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that it is safe for those living there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety inspections done every year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who live there. The checks should be carried out 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 an obligation of law that the landlord hand the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. Similarly, they must give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
This rule is not applicable when the property is rented out for a short period of time, like the student house or holiday cottage. Include how long does a gas safety certificate last in the terms of your tenancy contract to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord finds that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection they should arrange for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible 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 for landlords and gas safety inspections are extremely strict and must be observed. If a landlord is found to be in breach of the regulations they could face prosecution, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an entire inspection and issue the CP12 certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we offer a same day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a an email or call us on our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
Legally, you are obliged to conduct a gas safety check every year if you lease out a part or all your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like pipes and flues, and any fixtures and fittings which make use of or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that everything is safe and up-to date. They will test 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 the gas meter has money on it.
It's a good idea give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and check has been carried out. It should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents that you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to let you carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property and the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant refuses to let you in, you may want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to schedule it separately or think about when you'll need complete it. You can be confident that our team will be available to assist you if you want to update your policy details or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. Sign up for an estimate to find out more about the coverage and cost. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.