What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it's crucial to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas in your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a formal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety audit. The document should contain all information about the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these items are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the completed form.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties examined and obtain a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month before the certificate due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord, you will need to get an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will carry out an inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If the tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to convince them to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the checks done and what happens if they don't let them in. If this fails the landlord might decide to start the eviction process by delivering a Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days following each inspection. This must be provided to current tenants as well as to new tenants prior to their move in. In addition, you must keep a copy the lease for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be distributed to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. The document is a record and should be stored by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep the documents online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual gas and service safety checks. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain access and complete the check. This can include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. You may also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it is essential to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.
If the tenant refuses to allow access and the landlord is considering eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer before taking such a step.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues to tenants. This applies even if the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and anyone who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements must collaborate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is crucial that they find out who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it's worth checking with the agency ahead of time to ensure you are fully covered.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for the people living there. gas safety certificate uk are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and that copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks must be performed by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number as well as a date of the issue.
It is also legal for the landlord to give the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. The landlord must also give new tenants a copy 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 rentals like student housing or holiday cottages. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues aren't safe during the course of an inspection they must arrange for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are very strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found not comply with the regulations they may be charged which could result in fines or even jail sentences for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to schedule an inspection for gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and conduct a thorough inspection and issue a CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service in the event of an emergency. Contact us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a part 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, including pipework, flues, and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure that everything is safe and up-to date. They will test all gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is charged up.
It is a good idea to provide your tenants with a copy of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and check was carried out. It must be given to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants before moving into. You should also keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could write an email explaining why you have to gain access to the property and the security checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is unwilling to let you in and you are not able to gain access, you might want to consider a Section 21 eviction.
If you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord through Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. This means that you don't need to organize it on your own or worry about when you'll need to get it done. You can also be confident that we've got your back in the event that you have to renew your policy or alter any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. Register for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.