10 What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate Tricks Experts Recommend

What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?

It is important to understand your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords.

Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect your flues and appliances regularly on site. Also, you must provide an original copy of your gas safety record to each tenant.

What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety inspection. It should contain all the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that these items are in good working order and to provide copies of the document to their tenants.

All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months and obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.

To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will conduct an inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance.

If a tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord can attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to allow access by sending a clearly written letter outlining why they require the checks to be completed and what will happen should they refuse to let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by delivering a Section 21 notice.

As landlord, you are required to give your tenants a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being conducted. It should be handed out to both existing tenants and any new tenants prior to when they move into your property. It is also necessary to keep the original document for two years.

What is a gas safety certification for tenants?

Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost could range from PS60 to PS120 based on the nature of the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, and it must be passed on to tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document is a proof of the inspection and must be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to store them online to reduce the amount of waste.

Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual service and gas security checks. If a tenant refuses to allow access, the law says that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the check. It may be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, request that they contact an engineer directly and make repeated requests for access. It can also include contacting the local council who may be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance checks.

If the tenant is unwilling to allow access and the landlord is considering eviction. While this should be considered a last resort however, it is a legal right for a landlord safety certificate to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this action as it may be difficult.

The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This is true regardless of whether the property is wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and anyone who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must work together, with an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.

If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is crucial that they find out who is in charge of arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but it is important to inquire with the agency to confirm that you are covered.

What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?

When a landlord rents their property, they have to make sure that the place is safe for the residents who reside there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified engineer and are deemed safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have 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 Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue.

It is also a legal requirement 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, they must provide any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.

There are some exceptions to this rule however, in the case of a property being used for short-term lets like student housing or holiday cottages. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy agreement to avoid legal issues in the future.

If a landlord discovers that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe during the course of an inspection, they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as they can. This could mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by seeing their identification card prior to carrying out any work.

Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the regulations for landlords and gas safety inspections are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If a landlord is found to not comply with the regulations, they could be prosecuted, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.

Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord that needs to arrange a gas safety inspection. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property, carry out a full inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we provide a same day service in the event of an emergency. Call us or visit our website for more details.

What is an annual gas safety 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 the boiler as well as other gas safety certificate how often appliances, including pipes and flues and any fittings and fixtures that utilize or exhaust gas.

Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure everything is safe and up-to date. They will test all gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is charged up.

After the inspection and examination, it's a good idea to provide an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. Keep a copy for yourself and any agents that you use.

Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the check 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 as well as the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is unwilling to allow you access then you might be considering the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.

Your annual gas certificates safety check is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to schedule it separately or think about when you'll need complete it. You can be confident that our team will be available to assist you if you need to update your policy details or renew your policy.

For more information on our insurance for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about what's included and how much you'll pay. Our no price hike promise guarantees that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.