What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your obligations as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked every year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give a copy of your gas safety record to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner after a safety inspection. The document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that these items are in good order and to provide copies of the completed document to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their property inspected and get an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of the current certificate. This will help them avoid any coverage gaps and provide the best security for their tenants.
To obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord You will need to make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform an inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency control. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them 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 convince the tenant to let them in by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they don't allow them entry. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then think about initiating the eviction process by giving them a Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being carried out. The record should be provided to both existing tenants and any new tenants, before they move into the property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost could vary from PS60 to PS120, depending on the scope of the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be distributed to the tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. The document is a record that must be kept by the landlord two years after the date of the first inspection. It's recommended to store them online in order to reduce waste.
Landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service inspections. If a tenant does not permit access, the law says that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to complete the inspection. This could include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. It can also include contact with the local council, who may be able to send an official letter to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant refuses to let access in to the property, the landlord could consider eviction. While this should be considered a last option but it is legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before making a decision.
gas safety certificate and boiler service is required to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This is true regardless of whether the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and any person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
It is crucial to find out if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but it is important to consult with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been tested and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are performed each year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 working days after the completion of any checks. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been rented out for a short period of time, like a student house or holiday home. It is recommended 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 finds that their appliances or flues are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, they must fix them as soon as he can. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by seeing their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and face fines or even jail sentences.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange for an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct a full check and provide you with the CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we provide an same-day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual gas safety check?
Legally, you are responsible for a gas safety check every year if you rent out some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, such as flues, pipework and any fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test all gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is filled up.
It's a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and check was carried out. It should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move in. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses to permit you to conduct the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property as well as the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting an Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase a landlord insurance policy through Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't have to arrange it separately or fret about when you'll need complete it. You can also rest assured that we've got your back in the event that you have to renew your policy or amend any details.
Visit the Hometree site for more information on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a free estimate to learn more about what's included and how much you'll have to pay. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.