What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it is important to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances at least once a year. You should also provide a copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner following a safety inspection. This should include all of the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these items are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the completed form.
The law requires that every landlord has their property examined and obtain a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month before the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This will help them avoid any coverage gaps and offer the most secure 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. The engineer will inspect every gas appliance and pipework within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance.
If the tenant is unwilling to let the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince the tenant to let them in by sending them an email that explains why the checks are necessary and what will happen to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord should think about initiating the eviction process by serving them with a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check that is carried out. The record should be given to existing tenants as well as new tenants prior to their move into the property. In addition, you must keep a copy of the lease for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost of the test can range from PS60 to PS120 depending on the nature of the check. The engineer will give the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be given to the tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. The document is a record that should be stored by the landlord two years after the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to keep them online in order to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas safety inspections. The law states that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to use reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out 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 send an official letter to explain the necessity of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant still refuses to give access to the property, the landlord should think about beginning the process of expulsion. While this is not a last option but it is legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before making a decision.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and provide to tenants. This is true regardless of whether the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any other person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has enlisted the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is important to know who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but you should consult with the agency to make sure that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
When a landlord leases their property, they have to ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified engineer and found to be safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks completed each year, and to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of the issue.
It is also a legal requirement for the landlord to give the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in.
There are some exceptions to this rule however, in the case of a property being used for short-term leases like holiday cottages or student housing. It is a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement because it will save you a lot of stress and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection, they must make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This could mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by examining their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules for landlords and gas safety inspections are very strict and must be observed. 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 person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord and need to arrange an inspection for gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an entire inspection and issue a CP12 certificate. Our prices are competitive and we provide a same day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our site today to learn more.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety inspection. 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.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure everything is up to date and safe. Full Statement will test all the gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas supply is turned on and that the gas meter has money on it.
It is a good idea to provide your tenants with copies of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and test was completed. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants prior to they move in. Keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could include writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what security checks will entail. If the tenant does not give you access, you may want to consider an Section 21 eviction.
When landlord gas safety certificate cost buy a landlord insurance policy through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't have to organize it on your own or think about when you'll need to get it done. You can also rest assured that we've got your back if you need to renew your policy or alter any information.
For more information about our insurance plans for landlords you can visit the Hometree website. Register for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and price. Our no-price hike guarantee guarantees that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.