This Is A Guide To What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate In 2024
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's important to understand your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be examined annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety audit. The document should contain all information about the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that these items are in good order and to provide copies of the completed document to their tenants.
The law requires that all landlords have their properties inspected and get an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require that landlords plan their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of their current certificate. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and ensure the best security for their tenants.
To obtain a landlord gas safety certificate you must make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform an exhaustive inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to persuade them to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the inspections to be conducted and what happens in the event they refuse to allow them access. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then think about initiating the eviction process by serving them with a Section 21 notice.
As a landlord, you must give your tenants a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being carried out. This should be provided to existing tenants as well as new tenants prior to their move in. Additionally, you must also keep a copy of the lease for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will give an CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks following the test is completed. This document is an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection, however it is advised to keep them online to help reduce the amount of the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to perform the annual gas safety and service checks. The law stipulates that if tenants refuse access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain access and complete the inspection. It could be necessary to write to the tenant, asking them to contact an engineer directly and repeatedly request access. You may also contact the local council, who may be able to send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for maintenance and safety checks.
If a tenant is still refusing to allow access, the landlord should consider starting the process of eviction. While this should be a last resort however, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this step as it may be difficult.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes, appliances and flues that they own and offer to tenants. This is true even if the landlord sublet the property to a third party. However, the original landlord, and anyone else who is obligated by contract, must work together to ensure the requirements of the law are met.
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 assume this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?
If a landlord leases their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate shows that all the gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been tested and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted each year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue.
what is a landlord gas safety certificate must also give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 days following the conclusion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.
There are exceptions to this policy but only when the property is used for short-term rentals 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 for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by seeing their photocard before carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above the regulations regarding landlords and gas safety inspections are very strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations they could face prosecution, which can result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord that needs to schedule a gas safety inspection. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an extensive inspection and issue the CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. Contact us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual gas check?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety check. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure everything is up to date and safe. They will examine the flues and gas appliances, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is filled up.
It is a good idea to provide your tenants with copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and check has been carried out. It must be provided to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving into. Keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you employ.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to let you carry out the maintenance or check, then you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. This could include writing a strong letter explaining why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant refuses to allow you access and you are not able to gain access, you might want to consider an Section 21 eviction.
If you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to organize it on your own or worry about when you'll have to get it done. You can also be confident that we've got your back if you need to renew your policy or alter any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. Sign up for an estimate to find out more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price hike guarantees that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.