What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it is important to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas in your property. 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 examined each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide the gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the owner after an inspection for safety. The document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these things are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties checked and receive an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This helps them avoid any gaps in coverage and ensure the best protection to their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes in the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct repairs required to bring them back up to standards 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 by sending a strongly worded letter outlining why they require the checks done and what will happen 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.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being conducted. his explanation must be provided to current tenants as well as to new tenants prior to their move in. Additionally, you must also keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the inspection. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be handed over to the tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document is a record that should be stored by the landlord two years after the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to store the documents online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they can access the property for annual gas safety and service checks. The law stipulates that in the event a tenant refuses access, the landlord must use reasonable measures to gain access and complete the check. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. It can also include calling the local council, who may be able send an official round to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant still refuses to allow access, the landlord should consider initiating the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes and flues, appliances and other equipment they own and supply to tenants. This applies even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and any other person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should work together, with clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is crucial to find out whether a landlord has employed a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to make sure that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that it is safe for those living there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been checked and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety checks done each year, and to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks must be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 working days following the conclusion of any checks. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
There are exceptions to this rule however, in the case of a property being used for short-term lets such as holiday cottages for students or student housing. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract in order to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord finds that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe in the process of an inspection, they must make arrangements for them to be fixed as soon as possible. gas safe register duplicate certificate could involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for making sure 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 regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are very strict and must be adhered to. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and face fines or even jail sentences.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an extensive inspection and issue a CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we provide a same day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our site today to learn more.
What is an annual gas check?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it's your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, which includes pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
gas safety certificate duplicate will inspect your home and ensure that all is in good order 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 check that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter has money in it.
After the inspection and the inspection, it's a good idea to provide an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to any existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. You should keep a copy for yourself and any agents that you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant does not let you carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could send an explanation in a letter of why you have to gain access to the property and the security checks involved. If the tenant is unwilling to give you access and you are not able to gain access, you might want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you'll require it. You can also be assured that we've got your back should you need to renew your policy or amend any details.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our landlord insurance plans. Sign up for a quote to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our no price hike promise means that your annual cost will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.