What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your obligations as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are required for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues regularly on site. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a formal document that is issued by 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 in the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good working order and to give copies of the completed form to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their property checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections no later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This allows them to avoid any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's Gas Safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will conduct a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will advise you on the correct work required to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord can attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to let them in by writing a strong letter outlining why they require the checks to be completed and what would happen if they don't allow them access. If this doesn't work, the landlord may decide to start the eviction process by delivering the tenant with a Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to give your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. This must be provided to current tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection. This document must be passed on to the tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. The document is a proof of the inspection and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to keep them online in order to reduce waste.
Landlords also need to ensure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service inspections. If a tenant refuses to permit access, the law states that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain access to carry out the check. It is possible to write to the tenant, asking them to contact an engineer directly and repeat requests for access. This could also mean contact with the local council, who may be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant refuses to let access in to the property, the landlord could consider eviction. While this should be a last option but it is legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. gas safe building regulations compliance certificate is the case even if a landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However, the original landlord, and anyone who is obligated by contract, must cooperate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is important to find out who is in charge of conducting the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but it is important to check with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property they need to ensure that it is safe for the residents living there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified engineer and deemed safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety inspections done each year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who live there. The checks should be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number as well as a date of issue.
The landlord must also give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 days after the completion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy of the CP12 form before they move into the property.
There are exceptions to this policy but only when the property is used for short-term lets like holiday cottages or student housing. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract in order to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord determines that any of their flues or appliances aren't safe in the course of an inspection they should arrange for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must make sure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing landlords and gas safety checks are extremely strict and must be complied with. If the landlord is found be in violation of the regulations, they could face prosecution which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to schedule an inspection for gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an extensive inspection and provide you with a CP12 certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we offer a same day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our website today for more information.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
Legally, you are responsible for a gas safety check every year if you rent out some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like pipes and flues as well as any fittings and fixtures that make use of or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They 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 switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
It's a good idea to give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and check was completed. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants before they move into the property. It is also recommended to keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant refuses access to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could mean sending a clearly written letter explaining why you need access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant still refuses, you can consider starting the Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. This means that you don't need to arrange it separately or fret about when you'll have to do it. You can also rest assured that we're there for you should you need to renew your policy or alter any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. Sign up for an estimate to find out more about the coverage and price. Our no price hike promise means that your annual cost will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.
