What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord, it is important to know your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues on site annually. You should also provide a copy of the gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following carrying out a safety check. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these things are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections no later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This will help them avoid any gaps in coverage and ensure the best security for their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will carry out a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency control. If any appliances are found to be dangerous the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs needed in order to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unable to allow the landlord to in, the landlord can attempt to persuade them by sending them an email that explains the reason for the checks and what happens to them if they don't allow them entry. If this fails, the landlord can then look into initiating the eviction process by serving them with the Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being carried out. The record should be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. In addition, you should keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, and it must be distributed to the tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document serves as a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection, but it is recommended to store them online to reduce paper waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual gas and service safety inspections. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain access and 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 may be able to send an official to explain why it is crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant refuses to allow access to the property, the landlord could consider eviction. While this is not a last resort but it is legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer prior to making a decision.
The landlord is accountable to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues to tenants. This applies even if the property has been entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any other person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements must collaborate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is important that they find out who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, however you must check with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for those living there. A gas safety certificate shows that all the gas appliances and flues within the property have been tested and deemed to be safe by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are performed every year, and that copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of the issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days after the completion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form before they move into the property.
There are some exceptions to this rule, however, if the property is used for short-term leases like holiday cottages for students or student housing. It would be an ideal idea to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, since it can save you a lot of trouble and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord finds that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe in the process of an inspection, they should arrange for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. gas safety certificate grace period could involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be complied with. If the landlord is found to be in breach of the rules, they may be charged which could result in fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection and issue the CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergency situations. Contact us or visit our site for more details.
What is an annual gas safety check?
You are legally responsible for an annual gas safety check each year if you rent out some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, which includes pipework, flues, and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
A certified 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 check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
It's a good idea to give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and test has been carried out. It should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. You should keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant does not permit you to conduct the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could include sending a clearly written letter stating why you require access to the property and what the security checks will be. If the tenant continues to refuse to allow access, you could consider launching a Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't need to worry about arranging it separately, or when you'll require it. You can be assured that our team will be there to help you if you need to update your policy details or renew your policy.
For more information about our landlord insurance packages you can visit the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a free quote to find out more about what's included and how much you'll have to pay. Our promise of no price increase means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate in the first year.