What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's crucial to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also give a copy of your gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner following an inspection to ensure safety. It should contain all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good working order and to send copies of the completed document to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties examined and obtain a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require that landlords schedule their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and provide the best 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 a full examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs required to bring them back up to standard and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unable to allow the landlord to in, the landlord can try to persuade them by sending them a letter that explains the reason for the checks and what happens to them if they don't allow them to enter. If this isn't working the landlord might think about initiating the eviction process by delivering an Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being carried out. This should be given to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, prior to the time they move in. You must also keep the original document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances in their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the test. The engineer will provide an CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be given to the tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. This document is a record that must be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to store the documents online to reduce waste.
Landlords also need to make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. The law states that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord must use reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the inspection. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for entry. You can also contact the local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it is crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access, the landlord should consider initiating the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer prior to taking this step.
gas safety certificate replacement is required to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues to tenants. This applies even if the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any other person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
It is essential to find out whether a landlord has hired an agent managing their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it is important to check with the agency in advance to be certain that you are fully protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property, they must make sure that it is safe for the residents living there. A gas safety certificate proves that all the gas appliances and flues within the property have been inspected and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks done every year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and a date of issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days after the completion of any checks. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let for a short time, such as the student house or holiday cottage. It would be a good idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, because it will save you a lot of hassle and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the process of an inspection, they should arrange for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and face fines or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord and need to arrange an inspection for gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an entire inspection and provide you with an CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
Legally, you are obliged to conduct an annual gas safety check each year if you lease out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including pipes and flues, as well as any fixtures and fittings which use or exhaust gas.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that 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 ensure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is filled up.
It's a good idea give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and test was carried out. It should be given to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. Keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain access. You could send an email explaining why you have to gain access to the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant does not let you in, you may be considering a Section 21 eviction.
When you buy a landlord insurance policy through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to organize it on your own or worry about when you'll need complete it. You can also rest assured that we're here for you in the event that you have to renew your insurance or change any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. You can also enroll for a free estimate to learn more about what's included and how much you'll have to pay. Our promise of no price increase means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.