What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it is important to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give a copy of your gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety audit. The document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good working order and to give copies of the document to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of their current certificate. This allows them to avoid any coverage lapse and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's Gas Safety certificate An engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will perform an exhaustive inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter outlining why they require the checks done and what happens should they refuse to allow them to enter. If this isn't working the landlord could decide to start the eviction process by delivering the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
Your tenants must receive copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after every check. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. You must also keep the original records for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This 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 the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection. This document must be passed on to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document is a record that should be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to keep them online in order to reduce waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas safety checks. If a tenant does not admit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain entry to carry out the check. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for entry. gas safety certificate homeowner can also include calling the local council, who may be able send an official letter to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access the landlord should think about beginning the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This applies even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements must collaborate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has enlisted the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is essential to find out who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but you should inquire with the agency to ensure that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents living there. A gas safety certificate shows that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been tested and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted 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 a date of issue.
The landlord must also give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 working days after the completion of any checks. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let for a short period of time, like the student house or holiday cottage. It would be recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of trouble and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances aren't safe during the process 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 are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by looking at their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the rules 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 schedule an inspection of gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an entire inspection and issue a CP12 certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we offer a same day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our site today to learn more.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety check. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues and any fittings and fixtures that utilize or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that everything is safe and up-to-date. 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 that the gas meter is stocked with money on it.
It's a good idea give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and verification was carried out. The record must be handed out to any existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. You should keep a copy for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to allow you to carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could mean sending a strongly worded letter explaining why you need access to the property and what security checks will be. If the tenant refuses to allow you access then you might be considering the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
If you purchase a landlord insurance policy with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to schedule it separately or worry about when you'll need complete it. You can also be confident that we're there for you should you need to renew your policy or change any information.
For more information about our insurance for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. You can also enroll for a free estimate to learn more about the packages and how much you'll pay. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.