What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it is important to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues regularly on site. You should also provide a copy of the gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate to the property owner following an inspection for safety. It should contain all the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these items are in good operating order and to give their tenants copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. The regulations require that landlords plan their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of the current certificate. This will prevent any coverage lapse and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord gas safety certificate, you will need to get a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect every gas appliance and pipework in the house. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs required to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If a tenant is refusing permit access to the inspection, the landlord could try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter that explains why they should have the checks to be completed and what happens in the event they refuse to allow them to enter. If this doesn't work the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by delivering a Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after each check. It should be handed out to both existing tenants and any new tenants, prior to the time they move in. You must also keep the original records for two years.
What is a gas safety certification for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. gas safety certificate what is checked MK Gas Safety will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, and it must be handed over to the tenants within four weeks after 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, however it is recommended that they are stored online to reduce the amount of paper used.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that in the event tenants refuse access, the landlord must use reasonable measures to gain access and complete the check. It is possible to write to the tenant, request that they contact an engineer directly and repeatedly request access. You can also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it's essential to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.
If a tenant is still refusing to grant access the landlord should think about beginning the process of expulsion. While this should be considered a last resort however, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this action because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This is true even if the landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However, the original landlord, and anyone who is obligated by contract, must cooperate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is essential to determine whether a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. 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-letting?
When a landlord rents out their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for the people living there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed engineer and deemed safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety inspections done each year, and to ensure that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside there. The checks should be carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue.
It is also an obligation of law that the landlord hand the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. In the same way, landlords must provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants before they move in.
There are some exceptions to this rule, however, when the property is used for short-term leases like student housing or holiday cottages. It is recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, because it will save you a lot of trouble and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, he should repair them as soon as possible. This could mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by seeing their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above the regulations regarding gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are extremely 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 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 extensive inspection and issue a CP12 certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer a same day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a an email or call us on our website today.
What is an annual gas safety check?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like flues and pipework, and any fixtures and fittings which utilize or exhaust gas.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter is stocked with money on it.
After the inspection and the inspection, it's a good idea to give an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants before moving in. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If tenants refuse to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could include sending a clearly written letter explaining why you require access to the property and what security checks will be. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting a Section 21 eviction process.
When you buy an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. This means that you don't need to schedule it separately or worry about when you'll need to complete it. You can also be confident that we're there for you should you need to renew your policy or amend any details.
Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. You can also enroll for a free estimate to learn more about the coverage and the cost you'll be paying. Our no price hike promise means that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.