What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it is important to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances at least once a year. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety audit. It should contain all of the information about the properties gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these things are in good operating order and to provide their tenants with copies of the completed document.
The law requires that all landlords have their property examined and obtain a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require that landlords plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of their current certificate. This will help them avoid any gaps in coverage and provide the best security 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. The engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes in the house. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work needed in order to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord can attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection by sending a strongly worded letter outlining why they require the checks done and what will happen if they don't allow them access. If this doesn't work the landlord may look into initiating the eviction process by serving them with a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being conducted. The record should be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, prior to the time 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?
In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost of the test can range from PS60 to PS120 based on the scope of the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be distributed to tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document is a proof of the inspection and should be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online to reduce the amount of 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 the tenant refuses access, the landlord must take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and complete the check. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and ask them to contact an engineer directly and to make repeated requests for access. It can also include contacting the local council who may be able send an official round to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant is still refusing to grant access the landlord should think about initiating the process of eviction. While this should be a last resort, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer prior to taking such a step.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. This is the case even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and anyone who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should work together, with an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has hired the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is crucial that they find out who is in charge of conducting the gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it is important to check with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
If a landlord leases their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed engineer and found to be safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are carried out each year, and copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks should be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number as well as a date of issue.
It is also legal for the landlord to give the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any tests being completed. Similarly, they must give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form before they move into the property.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been rented out for a short time, such as an apartment for students or a holiday home. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to prevent any legal issues later on.
If a landlord determines that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe in the course of an inspection they should arrange to have them repaired as soon as is possible. This may involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by examining their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords are very strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even jail sentences.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to arrange an inspection of gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and carry out a thorough inspection and provide you with an CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us an email or call us on our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it's your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety test. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances including pipes and flues, and any fittings and fixtures that utilize or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that everything is safe and up-to date. They will test all gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is filled up.
It's a good idea provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety record after the inspection and check was completed. It must be given to existing tenants within 28-days and to tenants who are new before moving into. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain access. This may include sending a clearly written letter explaining why you require access to the property and what safety checks will involve. If the tenant continues to refuse the request, you may want to consider initiating a Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. There's no need to fret about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you'll need to do it. You can rest assured that our team will be there to assist you if you're looking to change your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. Register for a quote to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our no price hike promise means that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.