What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your responsibilities as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked every year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must give a copy of your gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
homeowner gas safety certificate registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the owner following a safety inspection. It should contain all of the details about the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these items are in good working order and that they give their tenants copies of the completed form.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain a new certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. This will prevent any coverage lapse and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate You will need to get an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework in the house. Additionally, the engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If the tenant is unable to let the landlord in, the landlord can try to convince them by sending them a letter that explains why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they do not let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by serving the tenant 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 inspection. This must be provided to current tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, 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 in their homes are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be provided to tenants in four weeks after the test is completed. This document is a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection, however it is advised to keep them online to reduce paper waste.
Landlords must also ensure that they can access the property for annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant refuses to allow access, the law says that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the inspection. It could be necessary to write to the tenant and request that they contact an engineer directly and repeatedly request access. This could also mean calling the local council, who might be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant still refuses to give access the landlord should think about beginning the process of eviction. While this should be a last option, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this step as it can be complicated.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is the case even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should work together, with an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
It is essential to determine if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it is important to inquire with the agency in advance to ensure that you are fully protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
If a landlord leases their property, they must make sure that it is safe for the residents living there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety checks completed each year, and to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of the issue.
The landlord must also provide the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the conclusion of any checks. Similarly, they must give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been rented out for a short period of time, like the student house or holiday cottage. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract in order to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord discovers their appliances or flues are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, they must fix them in the shortest time possible. This could mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords must make sure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations governing landlords and gas safety checks are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and could be fined or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord and need to schedule an inspection of gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an extensive inspection and provide you with the CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we offer the same day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us a a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are responsible for an annual gas safety check each year, if you lease some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipes, flues and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test the gas appliances and flues and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also check that the gas supply is turned on and that the gas meter has money on it.
It's a good idea provide your tenants with copies of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and test has been carried out. It must be provided to tenants in the period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving into. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you use.
Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This may include writing a strong letter stating why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant continues to refuse to allow access, you could consider launching the Section 21 eviction process.
When you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't have to arrange it separately or think about when you'll have to do it. You can rest assured that our team will be there to assist you if you're looking to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. You can also enroll for a free estimate to learn more about the coverage and how much you'll have to pay. Our promise of no price hike guarantees that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.