10 What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate Tricks All Experts Recommend
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a property owner, it is important to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. cp12 certificate (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues regularly on site. Also, you must give a copy of your gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the property owner following an inspection to ensure safety. The document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that all of these things are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the completed form.
The law requires that every landlord has their property checked and receive an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections no later than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This will prevent any coverage lapse and gives the best protection for their tenants.
To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must get an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will carry out an exhaustive examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If the tenant is unable to let the landlord in, the landlord could try to persuade them by sending them an explanation in the letter of the reason for the checks and what will happen to them if they do not let them in. If this doesn't work, the landlord can then consider starting the eviction process by sending them an Section 21 notice.
It is mandatory to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days following each check. This must be provided to current tenants as well as new tenants prior to their move into the property. In addition, you must keep a copy the lease for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are tested annually 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 a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be handed over to the tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document serves as a record of the checks and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, however it is advised to keep them online to minimize the amount of paper used.
Landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to perform the annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the inspection. This may include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for access. You can also contact your local council, who may be able to send an official to explain why it is essential to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.
If a tenant is still refusing to give access, the landlord should consider initiating the process of eviction. While this is not a last resort, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. This can be a difficult procedure, and landlords should consult with a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and provide for use by the tenants. This is true even if the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and anyone who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should work together, with an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
It is crucial to determine whether a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it's worth checking with the agency prior to your visit to ensure that you are fully protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
When a landlord rents their property, they have to ensure that it is safe for the people who reside there. A gas safety certificate shows that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been tested and deemed to be safe by an accredited gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks completed each year and that copies are given to the tenants who reside there. The checks must be carried out by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number as well as a date of issue.
The landlord must also give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 days after the completion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
There are some exceptions to this rule however, when the property is used for short-term rentals such as holiday cottages or student housing. It would be a good idea to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, because it will save you a lot of trouble and legal complexities in the future.
If a landlord discovers that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection, they should make arrangements for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be adhered to. If a landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted, which can result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the party who committed the offense.
Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to schedule an inspection for gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home, carry out a full inspection and provide you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we provide the same day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a the number or visit our website today.
What is an annual gas check?
Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety check each year if you rent out a part or all your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, including pipes, flues and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is up-to-date and safe. 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 switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. The record must be handed out to existing tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants before they move in. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you use.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant refuses access to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could mean sending a strongly worded letter explaining why you need access to the property and what the security checks will be. If the tenant does not let you in then you might want to consider an Section 21 eviction.
When you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about scheduling it separately or when you will need to do it. You can be confident that our team will be there to assist you if you're looking to change your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information about our insurance for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. You can also enroll for a free quote to learn more about what's included and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual cost will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.