What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your responsibilities 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 check your appliances and flues on site annually. You must also give the gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the property owner following an inspection for safety. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these items are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. gas safe building regulations compliance certificate helps them avoid any coverage gaps and ensure the best protection to 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 inspect all gas appliances and pipework within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work needed in order to bring them up to standard and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter outlining why they require the checks done and what will happen if they don't allow them access. If this doesn't work the landlord should consider starting the eviction process by sending them the Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of every check. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into your property. You must also keep the original document for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances in their properties are checked annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be passed on to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document is a record and should be kept by the landlord two years after the date of the initial inspection. It's recommended to store them online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. The law stipulates that in the event the tenant refuses access, the landlord must use reasonable measures to gain access and complete the check. This can include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for entry. It could also involve contacting the local council who might be able to send an official letter to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant is still refusing to give access the landlord should think about initiating the process of eviction. While this should be considered a last option but it is legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this action as it may be difficult.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This is the case even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any other person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements must work together, with clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
It is important to find out if a landlord has hired an agent managing their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, however you must inquire with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the people living there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been inspected and deemed safe by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and that copies of the certificates are provided to the tenants. The checks must be carried out by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law that the landlord hand the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move in.
There are exceptions to this policy, however, when the property is used for short-term leases like holiday cottages for students or student housing. It would be an ideal idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement as it could save you a lot of stress and legal issues in the future.
If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues aren't safe during the process of an inspection, they should make arrangements for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above the rules for landlords and gas safety inspections are strict and must also be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the rules they could be prosecuted and could face fines or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection for gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property, carry out a full inspection, and issue you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us an email or call us on our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety check each year if you rent out some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, and any fixtures and fittings which utilize 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 indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is charged up.
After the inspection and check, it's a great idea to give a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to tenants in the period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving in. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain access. You can send an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property as well as the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is unwilling to let you in, you may be considering a Section 21 eviction.
When you purchase an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't have to organize it on your own or fret about when you'll have to complete it. You can be confident that our team will be available to assist you should you want to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information about our landlord insurance packages you can visit the Hometree website. Register for a quote to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price hikes means that you will not pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.