What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords are required to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances on site annually. You should also provide a copy gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is an official document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety inspection. The document should contain all the details regarding the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these items are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require landlords to schedule their inspections no later 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 to their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate You will need to arrange for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. In addition the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. If any appliances are deemed to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work required to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unwilling to let the landlord 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 required and what will happen to them if they do not allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord should think about initiating the eviction process by serving them with a Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each check. It should be handed out to all tenants, including any new tenants, before they move into the property. In addition, you must keep a copy of the lease for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost of the test can vary from PS60 to PS120, depending 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 passed on to the tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document is a record and must be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection. It's recommended to store them online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas security checks. If a tenant does not admit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to complete the inspection. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and asking them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeat requests for entry. You may also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's important to allow access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant still refuses to grant access the landlord should think about starting the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to making this decision because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and offer to tenants. This is true even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any other person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements must collaborate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is important to find out whether a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it is important to inquire with the agency prior to your visit to ensure you are covered.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?
If a landlord leases their property, they have to ensure that it is safe for the people who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been inspected and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and that copies of the certificates are given to tenants. 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 the issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days after the completion of any checks. The landlord must also give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
There are exceptions to this policy however, when the property is used for short-term leases like student housing or holiday cottages. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, he must make the necessary repairs as soon as possible. This may require the disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations regarding gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are strict and must also be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and face fines or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to schedule an inspection for gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a an email or call us on our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety test. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including pipes and flues, and the fixtures and fittings that utilize or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will examine the flues and gas appliances and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and the inspection, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be handed out to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants prior to moving in. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant refuses to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This may include sending a clearly written letter explaining why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant does not allow you access then you might be considering an Section 21 eviction.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't need to worry about scheduling it separately or when you'll have to do it. You can be assured that our team will be there to assist you should you want to update your policy details or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site for more information about our insurance for landlords. Request a quote to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.