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What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your responsibilities as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be examined each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide a copy of your gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal 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 about the properties gas pipework, flues and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good condition and to send copies of the completed form to their tenants.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to avoid any coverage lapse and offers the most effective 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. This engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them up to standards and issue a new gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord to in, the landlord may try to persuade them by sending them an email that explains why the checks are required and what happens to them if they don't let them in. If this isn't working the landlord could decide to start the eviction process by delivering an Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being conducted. This should be provided to existing tenants as well as to new tenants prior to their move into the property. Additionally, you must keep a copy of the document for a period of two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document must be provided to tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, but it is advised to keep them online to reduce the amount of paper used.
Landlords also need to make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that in the event the tenant refuses access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the check. It could be necessary to write to the tenant and ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeatedly request access. This could also mean calling the local council, who might be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access and the landlord is considering the possibility of eviction. While this is not a last option but it is legal right for a 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 before making a decision.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and offer to 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 person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should 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 essential to find out who is in charge of arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it is worth checking with the agency in advance to be certain that you are covered.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the residents who live there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified engineer and found to be safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and copies of the certificates are provided to the tenants. The checks must be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and date of the issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 working 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 exceptions to this policy, however, if the property is used for short-term lets such as holiday cottages or student housing. It's recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement because it will save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances aren't safe in the process of an inspection, they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as they can. This could involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords must make sure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity using their photo card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found to not comply with the regulations, they could face prosecution which could result in fines or even jail sentences for the party who committed the offense.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord and need to schedule a gas safety inspection. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an entire inspection and provide you with an CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we provide a same day service for emergencies. Contact us or visit our website for more details.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are accountable for a gas safety check every year if you rent out a part or all your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances like flues and pipework, and the fixtures and fittings that utilize or exhaust gas.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is up-to-date and safe. how long does a gas safety certificate last will test all the gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is topped up.
It's a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety report after the inspection and test was carried out. It must be given to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to tenants who are new before moving 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. However, if tenants refuse to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could write an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property and the security checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is still refusing the request, you may want to consider initiating an Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to arrange it separately or think about when you'll need to do 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. You can also sign up for a no-cost quote to learn more about what's included and the cost you'll be paying. what is a gas safety certificate of no price hike guarantees that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.