What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are required for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances at least once a year. Also, you must provide the gas safety certificate to each tenant.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the property owner following an inspection to ensure safety. gas certificates should include all the details regarding the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good functioning order and give their tenants copies of the completed form.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties checked and receive an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least one month before expiration of their current certificate. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord's Gas Safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will inspect every gas appliance and pipework in the property. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. If any appliances are found to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct work needed in order to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant refuses to allow the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince them by delivering a letter that explains the reason for the checks and what happens to them if they refuse to allow them entry. If this doesn't work the landlord should consider starting the eviction process by serving them with an Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being conducted. It should be handed out to all tenants, including any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. In addition, you must also keep a copy of the lease for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the inspection. The engineer will issue the 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 serves as a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection, however it is recommended that they are stored online to reduce paper waste.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual service and gas safety inspections. If a tenant is unwilling to allow access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain access to carry out the check. It may be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to make repeated requests for entry. It can also include contacting the local council who might be able to send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If the tenant refuses to let access in to the property, the landlord could consider eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this action as it may be difficult.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipework, appliances and flues they own and supply to tenants. This applies regardless of whether the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, however 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.
It is important to find out if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it is worth checking with the agency in advance to ensure you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
When a landlord leases their property, they have to make sure that the place is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and that copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks should be carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of the issue.
It is also legal for landlords to provide the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been rented out for a short duration, such as the student house or holiday home. It's recommended to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy contract, as it could save you a lot of trouble and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances aren't safe during the process of an inspection, they must arrange for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure 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 mentioned above the rules for gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are strict and must also be observed. If the landlord is found to be in breach of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could face penalties of fines or even jail time for the party who committed the offense.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection for gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and carry out a thorough inspection, and issue you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we provide the same day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it is your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipes, flues and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is current and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter has money on it.
After the inspection and examination, it's a good idea to give an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to tenants in the period of 28 days and to tenants who are new before moving into. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain access. This could include sending a strongly worded letter stating why you require access to the property and what security checks will entail. If the tenant still refuses to allow access, you could consider launching an Section 21 eviction process.
When you purchase an insurance policy for landlords through Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. This means that you don't need to organize it on your own or think about when you'll have to do it. You can also be assured that we're here for you if you need to renew your insurance or change any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. Register for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and price. Our promise of no price increase means that you will not pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.