What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your responsibilities as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances regularly on site. You should also provide a copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety audit. It should contain all the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good operating order and to provide their tenants with copies of the completed document.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain a new certificate of gas safety. The regulations require that landlords schedule their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of their current certificate. This allows them to prevent any coverage gaps and offer the most secure protection to 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 perform a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. In addition the engineer will examine the emergency controls of each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant refuses to let the landlord in, the landlord could attempt to persuade them by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they refuse to let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by giving them a Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days following every check. This should be provided to existing tenants as well as to any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, you should also keep a copy of the record for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120 based on the extent of the inspection. The engineer will provide an CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. This document must be provided to tenants within four weeks following the test has been completed. This document serves as an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection, but it is recommended that they are stored online to help reduce the amount of paper waste.
Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual gas and service security checks. If gas safe building regulations compliance certificate does not permit access, the law says that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain access to carry out the check. This may include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. You can also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it is essential to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to let access in, the landlord may consider eviction. While this is not a last resort, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This is the case even if a landlord sublets the property to a third party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone who is obligated through a contract, must work together to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.
If a landlord has enlisted the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is essential to find out who is in charge of arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to make sure that you are protected.
What is gas safety certificate cp12 -let gas safety certificate?
If a landlord leases their property, they have to ensure that it is safe for the people who reside there. A gas safety certificate shows that all the gas appliances and flues within the property have been tested 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 to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks should be carried out by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number as well as a date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law 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 new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their 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 as part of your tenancy contract to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances are unsafe during the process of an inspection, they should arrange to have them repaired as soon as they can. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords must make sure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to performing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned 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 rules, they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are 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 provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we can provide an same-day service for emergency situations. Contact us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual gas safety check?
You are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety check every year if you lease out a part or all your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes flues, pipework and any fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
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 ensure that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter is stocked with money in it.
After the inspection and examination, it's a good idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants prior to they move into the property. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could send a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property and the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting a Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to organize it on your own or think about when you'll have to complete it. You can rest assured that our team will be available to help you if you're looking to change your policy information or renew your policy.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our landlord insurance plans. You can also enroll for a free quote to find out more about the packages and how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.