What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you 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. You should also provide a copy of the gas safety report to your tenants.
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 the property after conducting a safety audit. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these items are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the completed document.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any gaps in coverage and ensure the best security for their tenants.
In order to obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will examine every gas appliance and pipework in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work required to bring them up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If a tenant is refusing allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to convince them by sending a strongly worded letter outlining why they require the checks to be completed and what would happen if they don't let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord should think about initiating the eviction process by sending them the 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 being carried out. This must be provided to current tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, you must keep a copy the lease for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances in their property are inspected annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. Highly recommended Web-site is a legal requirement, and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. The document is a record that should be stored by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store them online in order to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords also need to ensure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law states that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the check. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. You may also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access and the landlord is considering eviction. While this should be a last option but it is legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this step because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues to tenants. This is the case even if the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and anyone who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements must work together, with clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is crucial to know who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is worth checking with the agency in advance to be certain that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property they need to ensure that it is safe for the residents living there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been checked and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks done each year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks should be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and a date of issue.
The landlord is also required to give the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 days following the completion of any checks. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move in.
There are some exceptions to this rule, however, if the property is used for short-term lets like holiday cottages for students or student housing. 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 do not meet safety standards during an inspection, he should fix them as soon as he can. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting 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 carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in breach of the regulations they could be prosecuted, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord and need to arrange a gas safety inspection. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out a full check and provide you with an CP12 certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service in the event of an emergency. Call us or visit our website today for more information.
What is an annual gas check?
You are legally obliged to conduct an annual gas safety check each year, if you lease some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes pipes, flues and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will examine the gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also check that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money in it.
It's a good idea to provide your tenants with copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and test has been carried out. The record must be handed out to existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move in. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain access. You could write a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property and the security inspections that are required. If the tenant continues to refuse the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process.
When you buy an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to schedule it separately or think about when you'll need to get it done. You can also be assured that we're there for you if you need to renew your policy or change any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. Request an estimate to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.