What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's crucial to know your responsibilities as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be examined annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide a copy gas safety record to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certification for landlords?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following carrying out a safety check. The document should include all the details regarding 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 condition and to provide copies of the completed document to their tenants.
All landlords are required by law to inspect their properties every 12 months, and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This helps them avoid any coverage lapse and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will inspect every gas appliance and pipework in the property. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency control for each appliance. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs required to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince them by delivering an email that explains why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this isn't working, the landlord may decide to start the eviction process by delivering an 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 that is carried out. The record should be provided to both existing tenants and any new tenants, before they move in. 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 in their homes are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the check. The engineer will provide a CP12 to the landlord following 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 initial inspection, however it is recommended to store them online to minimize the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords also need to ensure that they can access the property for annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to allow access, the law says that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the inspection. This may include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for access. It could also involve contacting the local council who may be able send an official round to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.
If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord may consider eviction. While this is not a last option, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this action as it may be difficult.
The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This is the case regardless of whether the property is wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and any other person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is crucial to find out if a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but you should check with the agency to make sure that you are protected.
What is Suggested Online site -let gas safety certification?
When a landlord leases their property, they have to make sure that the place is safe for the people who reside there. A gas safety certificate shows that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been checked and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety checks done each year, and to ensure that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of the issue.
The landlord must also provide tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the completion of any checks. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their 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 cottage. It is recommended to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, since it can 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 should arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords must make sure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If a landlord is found to be in breach of the rules, they could face prosecution which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the offending party.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property, carry out a full inspection and provide you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer a same day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our website today to learn more.
What is an annual gas safety check?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety check. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, such as pipes, flues and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money on it.
After the inspection and the check, it's a great idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants prior to moving into. You should also keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords have to 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 the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain entry. You can send an email explaining why you have to gain access to the property as well as the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant is unwilling to allow you access, you may be considering a Section 21 eviction.
When you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. You don't need to worry about arranging it separately, or when you will require it. You can also rest assured that we're there for you in the event that you have to renew your policy or change any information.
Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about the packages and how much you'll have to pay. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.