What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it's important to understand your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also provide a copy gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a formal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety inspection. The document should include all information about the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the completed form.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and obtain a new certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month prior to when the current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to avoid any coverage lapse and gives the best protection for 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 inspect the gas appliances and pipes in the house. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will advise you on the correct work required to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unable to let the landlord in, the landlord may try to convince the tenant to let them in by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they do not allow them entry. If this doesn't work the landlord could consider starting the eviction by serving a Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being conducted. This must be provided to existing tenants as well as to new tenants prior to their move in. You must also keep the original records for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost of the test can vary from PS60 to PS120 based on the nature of the test. The engineer will issue an CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The document must be given to the tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is a record and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online to reduce waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual service and gas safety checks. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and carry out the check. This could include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for entry. You can also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's important to allow access for maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access and the landlord is considering eviction. While this should be considered a last option however, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to making this decision as it can be complicated.
The landlord is accountable to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. This applies even if the property is wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any other person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should collaborate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has hired 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, however you must consult with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents who live there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed engineer and deemed safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety inspections done each year, and to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks must be conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of issue.
The landlord is also required to give the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the completion of any checks. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move in.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been rented out for a short time, such as an apartment for students or a holiday home. It is recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement as it could 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 during the process of an inspection, they should make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as is possible. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords must make sure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found to be in breach of the regulations, they may be charged, which can result in fines and even jail sentences for the offending party.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord who needs to schedule a gas safety inspection. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection and issue a CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and 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?
You are legally accountable for a gas safety check every year, if you lease a part or all your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances like pipes and flues, as well as any fixtures and fittings which use or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test the gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas is on and that the gas meter is charged up.
It's a good idea give your tenants a copy of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and test was completed. It should be handed out to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to tenants who are new before moving in. Keep gas safety certificate uk for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections 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 may include sending a clearly written letter stating why you require access to the property and what the security checks will be. If the tenant refuses to allow you access, you may think about an Section 21 eviction.
Your annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about arranging it separately, or when you will require it. You can also be confident that we're here for you if you need to renew your policy or change any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details about our insurance for landlords. Request an estimate to find out more about the coverage and cost. Our no price hike promise guarantees that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.