What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances regularly on site. Also, you must give a copy of your gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety audit. It should contain all the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these items are in good functioning order and give their tenants copies of the completed form.
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 one month before expiration of their current certificate. This will prevent 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. This engineer will carry out a full inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct repair work required to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord in, the landlord can attempt to persuade them by delivering a letter that explains why the checks are required and what happens to them if they do not allow them entry. If this fails the landlord may consider starting the eviction process by giving them a Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of every check. The record should be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, prior to the time they move in. Additionally, you must keep a copy the lease for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can vary from PS60 to PS120, depending on the extent of the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 must be provided to tenants within four weeks following the test has been completed. This document is a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, although it's recommended that they are stored online to reduce the amount of paper used.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas security checks. The law states that if tenants refuse access, the landlord must take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and complete the inspection. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and request that they contact an engineer directly, and to make repeated requests for entry. You can also contact your local council, who may be able to send an official to explain why it is essential to allow access for maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant does not let access in and the landlord is considering the possibility of eviction. While this should be considered a last resort but it is legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before making a decision.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This is true even if the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements must work together, with clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
It is crucial to determine if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it's important to check with the agency ahead of time to ensure that you are fully covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that it is safe for those living there. A gas safety certificate proves that all the gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been checked and deemed safe by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted each year, and copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of the issue.
The landlord must also provide the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days after the completion of any checks. The landlord must also give new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move into the property.
There are exceptions to this rule however, in the case of a property being used for short-term leases such as holiday cottages for students or student housing. It would be a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, as it could save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers their appliances or flues are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, he should fix them as soon as he can. 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 verify their identity by seeing their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations regarding landlords and gas safety inspections are extremely strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found in violation of the rules they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even jail sentences.
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, carry out a full inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. Contact us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual gas check?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety check. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances like flues and pipework, as well as any fittings and fixtures that utilize or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is current and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas supply is on and the gas meter has money in it.
It's a good idea to give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety record after the inspection and check has been carried out. It must be provided to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving in. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you employ.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety tests 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. This could mean sending a clearly written letter explaining why you need access to the property and what safety checks will involve. If Recommended Online site is unwilling to let you in then you might want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about arranging it separately, or when you will have to do it. You can also rest assured that we've got your back should you need to renew your policy or change any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our landlord insurance plans. You can also enroll for a free quote to find out more about the coverage and how much you'll pay. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.