What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be inspected each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also provide the gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety inspection. The document should contain all information about the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the document they have completed.
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 schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord gas safety certificate you must get a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will carry out an exhaustive inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince them by delivering an explanation in the letter of why the checks are necessary and what will happen to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord may consider starting the eviction process by serving them with a Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after each inspection. This should be provided to current tenants as well as new tenants prior to their move into the property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost of the test can vary from PS60 to PS120 based on the nature of the inspection. The engineer will provide a CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The document must be provided to tenants in four weeks after the test is completed. This document serves as an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection, but it is recommended that they are stored online to minimize paper waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to perform the annual gas safety and service inspections. The law states that if tenants refuse access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and complete the check. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and asking them to contact an engineer directly, and to make repeated requests for entry. It can also include calling the local council, who may be able send an official letter to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in, the landlord may consider the possibility of eviction. While this should be a last option however, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses 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 accountable for all gas pipes, appliances and flues that they own and provide to tenants. This is the case even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However the original landlord and anyone else who is obligated by contract, should collaborate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements.
If a landlord has hired the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is important to find out who is in charge of conducting the gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it's important to inquire with the agency prior to your visit to ensure that you are fully covered.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
When a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the residents who reside there. gas certificates proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been tested and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety inspections done each year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks should be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number and a date of the issue.
It is also an obligation of law for landlords to provide the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. Similarly, they must give new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are some exceptions to this rule but only when the property is used for short-term lets such as holiday cottages or student housing. It would be a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of stress and legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers their appliances or flues do not meet safety standards during an inspection, he should make the necessary repairs in the shortest time possible. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules for gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are strict and must also be adhered to. If a landlord is found to not comply with the regulations they could be prosecuted, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the offending party.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange for a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection and issue an CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we offer a same day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you rent out 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, which includes pipes, flues and fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is up-to-date and safe. gas safety certificate cost will test all the gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is topped up.
It's a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety certificate after the inspection and verification has been carried out. It should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants before they move in. You should keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses to let you carry out the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could write an explanation in a letter of why you have to gain access to the property and the security inspections that are required. If the tenant is still refusing, you can consider starting a Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. There's no need to fret about arranging it separately, or when you will have to do it. landlord gas safety certificates can be confident that our team will be available to help you if you're looking to update your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. Sign up for a quote to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual cost will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.