What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate 101 It's The Complete Guide For Beginners
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it's important to understand your obligations when it comes to the gas safety of your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances on site annually. You must also give the gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety inspection. This should include all of the details about the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these things are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the completed form.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and obtain a new certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and offer the most secure protection to their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate You will need to arrange for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant is unwilling to let the landlord in, the landlord may try to persuade the tenant to let them in by sending them an email that explains why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they don't allow them to enter. If this isn't working, the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by delivering an Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being carried out. This should be provided to current tenants as well as to any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, you should keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can vary from PS60 to PS120 based on the nature of the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The CP12 must be given to the tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection, but it is recommended that they are stored online to minimize the amount of paper used.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual gas and service security inspections. The law states that if tenants refuse access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain access and complete the check. This may include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for access. You may also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant is still refusing to give access, the landlord should consider starting the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who refuse to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this step as it can be complicated.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipework as well as flues, appliances and appliances they own and supply to tenants. This applies even if the property has been entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and anyone who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should collaborate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has hired the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is important to find out who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it is important to inquire with the agency in advance to be certain that you are fully protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been checked and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are performed each year, and copies of the certificates are given to the tenants. The checks must be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and date of the issue.
It is also an obligation of law for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants before they move into.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been rented out for a short duration, such as a student house or holiday home. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances do not meet safety standards during an inspection, he should fix them as soon as possible. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must make sure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and could face fines or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection of gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection and issue an CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we provide a same day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our website today to learn more.
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 test. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, such as pipes, flues and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test all the gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. gas safety certificate grace period will also ensure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is topped up.
After the inspection and the examination, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant refuses access to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could include sending a clearly written letter explaining why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting the Section 21 eviction process.
When you purchase an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about scheduling it separately or when you'll need to do it. You can also be assured that we've got your back should you need to renew your insurance or change any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. You can also sign up for a free quote to learn more about what's included and the cost you'll be paying. Our no-price hike guarantee guarantees that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.