What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it is important to know your obligations when it comes 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 checked each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also provide a copy of the gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner after an inspection for safety. It should contain all the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good order and to give copies of the document to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months and obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This will help them avoid any lapses in coverage and provide the best 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. This engineer will carry out a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency control. If landlord gas safety certificate how often of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct repairs 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 could try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the checks to be completed and what will happen in the event they refuse to allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord may look into initiating the eviction process by giving them an Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must provide your tenants with a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check that is carried out. This should be given to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move into the property. In addition, you should also keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is how often gas safety certificate ?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the extent of the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 is required to be handed out to tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is a proof of the inspection and should be stored by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store them online in order to reduce waste.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas safety checks. If a tenant does not allow access, the law states that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the check. It could be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, request that they contact an engineer directly and repeatedly request access. It could also involve calling the local council, who might be able to send an official circular to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant is still refusing to grant access the landlord should think about starting the process of eviction. While this should be considered a last resort but it is legal right for a landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework as well as flues, appliances and appliances they own and supply to tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublet the property to a third party. However, the original landlord, and anyone who has been given duties through a contract, must cooperate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is essential to determine whether a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but you should consult with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents living there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified engineer and found to be safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety inspections done each year, and to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks should be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and date of issue.
It is also legal that the landlord hand tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
There are exceptions to this policy but only if the property is used for short-term leases such as holiday cottages for students or student housing. It is a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of stress and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection they must arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by seeing their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found to not comply with the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could face fines and even jail sentences for the party who committed the offense.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord who needs to schedule a gas safety inspection. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an extensive inspection and issue an CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety inspection every year if you rent out some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, including pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and check, it's a great idea to provide the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. You should also keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could include sending a strongly worded letter explaining why you need access to the property and what safety checks will involve. If the tenant does not let you in and you are not able to gain access, you might want to consider an Section 21 eviction.
The 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 will have to do it. You can be confident that our team will be available to assist you if you want to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. You can also sign up for a free quote to find out more about what's included and how much you'll have to pay. Our no-price hike guarantee means that your annual cost will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.