What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's crucial to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances on site annually. Also, you must give a copy of your gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the 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 for ensuring that all of these things are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the completed document.
All landlords are required by law to inspect their properties every 12 months and obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. 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 lapses in coverage and provide the best security for their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate An engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework in the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work required to bring them back up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord to in, the landlord can try to convince them by delivering an email that explains why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they don't allow them to enter. If this fails, the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by serving an Section 21 notice.
Your tenants must receive a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after every check. It should be handed out to both existing tenants and any new tenants prior to when they move into your property. You must also keep the original document for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, which must be distributed to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document is a record that should be stored by the landlord for two years after the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service inspections. If a tenant does not permit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the check. It is possible to write to the tenant, request that they contact an engineer directly and make repeated requests for entry. You may also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it is crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant still refuses to allow access to the property, the landlord should think about starting the process of expulsion. While this should be a last option however, it is a legal right for a landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult procedure, and landlords should consult a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However, the original landlord, and any other person who is obligated by contract, should collaborate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is important that they find out who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it's important to inquire with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for those living there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed engineer and are deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted each year, and copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks must be performed by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and www.Mkgassafety.co.Uk the CP12 form should contain their 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 checks being completed. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into.
There are exceptions to this rule, however, when the property is used for short-term rentals such as holiday cottages or student housing. It's a good idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, as it could save you a lot of trouble and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues aren't safe during the course of an inspection, they should arrange for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could mean the removal and reconnecting 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 carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the rules for landlords and gas safety inspections are very strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and could be fined or even jail sentences.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange for an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an entire inspection and issue a CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we provide a same day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual gas safety check?
If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety test. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, as well as the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test the gas appliances and flues and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is charged up.
It is a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and test has been carried out. It should be handed out to existing tenants within 28-days and to tenants who are new before moving in. You should also keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out 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 security checks will entail. If the tenant still refuses the request, you may want to consider initiating a Section 21 eviction process.
If you purchase an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. You don't need to worry about scheduling it separately or when you will have to do it. You can be confident that our team will be there to assist you if you're looking to update your policy details or renew your policy.
For more information about our insurance for landlords check out the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a free estimate to learn more about the packages and the cost you'll be paying. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you will not pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.