What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it's crucial to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas in your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances on site annually. You should also give a copy of your gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a legal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety audit. It should contain all of the information about the properties gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
The law requires that all landlords have their property checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. 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 registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will conduct 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 the tenant refuses to allow the landlord in, the landlord may try to persuade them by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are required and what happens to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then consider starting the eviction process by serving them with the Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check that is carried out. This must be provided to current tenants as well as to any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, you must also keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120 based on the extent of the check. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be distributed to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document is a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection, but it is advised to keep them online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper used.
The landlords must also ensure that they can access the property for annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law says that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the check. This can include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for entry. This could also mean calling the local council, who may be able to send an official circular to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access and the landlord is considering the possibility of eviction. While this should be a last resort, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with security checks. This is a complex procedure, and landlords should consult with a lawyer prior to taking this step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone else who is obligated by contract, should cooperate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is crucial to determine whether a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it's worth checking with the agency in advance to ensure you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
If a landlord leases their property, they must make sure that the place is safe for the residents who reside there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been checked and deemed safe by an accredited gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety inspections done each year, and to ensure that copies are given to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of the issue.
The landlord is also required to give the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the conclusion of any checks. In the same way, landlords must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move into.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let out for a brief time, such as a student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy agreement to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they should arrange for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations around landlords and gas safety checks are very strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found not comply with the rules, they may be charged and could face penalties of fines or even jail time for the offending party.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform a full check and issue the CP12 certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
Legally, you are obliged to conduct a gas safety check every year if you rent out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like pipes and flues and any fixtures and fittings which make use of or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure everything is up to date and safe. 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 turned on and that the gas meter is filled up.
gas certificate Milton Keynes Gas Safety is a good idea to give your tenants an original copy of the gas safety record after the inspection and check was carried out. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move into the property. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record 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 does not allow you to carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could send a letter explaining the reason you require access to the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant does not give you access, you may be considering the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't need to arrange it separately or fret about when you'll have to complete it. You can be confident that our team will be there to help you if you need to change your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. You can also sign up for a no-cost quote to find out more about the coverage and how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price increases means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.