What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It's important that you understand your obligations as a landlord with regards to gas safety. Landlords must comply with 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 certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a legal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after carrying out a safety check. It should contain all the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the items are in good order and to give copies of the completed document to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months and obtain a new certificate of gas safety. The regulations require that landlords plan their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of their current certificate. gas safe register duplicate certificate helps them avoid any coverage lapse and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
In order to obtain a landlord gas safety certificate You will need to make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will inspect the gas appliances and pipes in the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord in, the landlord may attempt to persuade the tenant to let them in by sending them an email that explains the reason for the checks and what will happen to them if they refuse to allow them entry. If this doesn't work the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by delivering 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 of each check. It should be handed out to all tenants, including any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. In addition, you must keep a copy the record for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will provide the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The document is required to be handed out to tenants in four weeks after the test is completed. This document is a proof of the inspection and should be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store them online to reduce the amount of waste.
The landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant refuses to admit access, the law says that the landlord must take'reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the inspection. This could include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. Read the Full Article can also include contact with the local council, who might be able to send an official circular to explain the necessity of granting access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access to the property, the landlord should think about beginning the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice before taking this step because it could be a complicated process.
The landlord is accountable to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This applies regardless of whether the property is wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should work together, with clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is essential to determine whether a landlord has employed an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for arranging gas safety tests. Some agents will take on this responsibility, but it is important to consult with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate shows that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been tested and deemed 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 to ensure that copies are handed over to the tenants who live there. The checks must be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number as well as a date of the issue.
The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days after the completion of any checks. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to when they move into.
There are exceptions to this policy however, if the property is used for short-term rentals like student housing or holiday cottages. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract in order to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, he should repair them as soon as he can. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting 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 completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords are very strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the person who is in breach.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an extensive inspection and issue the CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we can provide an same-day service for emergency situations. Contact us or visit our site for more details.
What is an annual gas safety check?
Legally, you are accountable for a gas safety check every year if you rent out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances like pipes and flues, and any fittings and fixtures that 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 all gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and the check, it's a great idea to give an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. 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 employ.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. This could include sending a strongly worded letter stating why you require access to the property and what the security checks will entail. If the tenant continues to refuse the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process.
When you buy an insurance policy for landlords through Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't have to arrange it separately or worry about when you'll need to do it. You can be confident that our team will be available to assist you if you need to update your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance for landlords check out the Hometree website. You can also enroll for a free quote to learn more about what's included and how much you'll have to pay. Our no-price hike guarantee guarantees that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.