What Is What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate And Why Is Everyone Speakin' About It?
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is important to understand your responsibilities as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords.
You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be examined annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide a copy of your gas safety record to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a legal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after conducting a safety inspection. It should contain all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these items are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This helps them avoid any coverage lapse and gives the best 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 inspect every gas appliance and pipework in the property. In addition, the engineer will also examine the emergency controls of each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing permit access to the inspection, the landlord could try to convince them by sending a strongly worded letter explaining why they need the checks to be completed and what happens if they don't let them in. If this fails the landlord should consider starting the eviction process by sending them the Section 21 notice.
You must provide your tenants copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each inspection. The record should be given to current tenants, as well as new tenants prior to their move into the property. It is also necessary to keep the original document for a period of 2 years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost could range from PS60 to PS120, depending on the nature of the inspection. The engineer will provide a CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document is required to be handed out to tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is a record that must be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep the documents online to reduce waste.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas security inspections. The law stipulates that in the event tenants refuse access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the inspection. This can include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for access. You may also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.
If a tenant still refuses to allow access the landlord should think about beginning the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to making this decision as it may be difficult.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipework and flues to tenants. This is true even if the property is wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any other person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.
It is crucial to find out whether a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, however you must check with the agency to confirm that you are covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for those who reside there. landlord gas safety certificates proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been tested and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they receive their gas safety checks completed each year and that copies are handed over to the tenants who live there. The checks must be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of the issue.
It is also a legal requirement for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they 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. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract in order to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances aren't safe in the course of an inspection they should arrange for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords must ensure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with a photo ID prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned earlier, the rules for landlords and gas safety inspections are very strict and must be observed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even prison sentences.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange for a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection and issue the CP12 gas safety certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety test. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances including flues and pipework, and any fittings and fixtures that make use of or exhaust gas.
A certified 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 on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and examination, it's a good idea to provide the 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 also keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use.
Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses to allow you to carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send an explanation in a letter of why you have to gain access to the property as well as the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is still refusing, you can consider starting an Section 21 eviction process.
Your annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. There's no need to fret about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you'll require it. You can also rest assured that we're here for you in the event that you have to renew your policy or change any information.
Visit the Hometree site to find out more on our landlord insurance packages. You can also enroll for a free estimate to learn more about the coverage and the cost you'll be paying. Our no-price hike guarantee guarantees that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.