If you're a property owner, it's crucial to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are mandatory for landlords.
Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances at least once a year. You should also provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
A landlord gas safety certificate is an official document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety audit. The document should contain all the details regarding the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these items are in good operating order and to provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months and obtain a new certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least one month before expiration of their current certificate. This will help them avoid any gaps in coverage and ensure the best protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord gas safety certificate, you will need to arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord can try to persuade them by sending a strongly worded letter that explains why they should have the checks to be completed and what will happen if they don't allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by sending them 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 every check being conducted. The record should be given to current tenants as well as to any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. It is also necessary to keep the original document for two years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost could range from PS60 to PS120 based on the nature of the test. The engineer will provide a CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The CP12 must be given to the tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. This document is a record and should be stored by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to store the documents online to reduce the amount of waste.
Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual gas and service security checks. If a tenant refuses to permit access, the law says that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the check. It may be necessary to write to the tenant, ask them to contact an engineer directly and to repeat requests for access. It could also involve contact with the local council, who might be able to send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant refuses to let access in to the property, the landlord could consider eviction. While this should be considered a last option, it is a legal right for a landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer prior to making a decision.
The landlord is responsible to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues for the tenants. This is the case even if 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 must cooperate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is important to find out who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it is worth checking with the agency in advance to be certain that you are protected.
What is a sub-let gas safety certification?
When a landlord rents their property, they have to ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been checked and deemed to be safe by an experienced gas engineer. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they have their gas safety checks completed each year, and to ensure that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside there. The checks should be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number as well as a date of issue.
It is also a legal requirement for the landlord to give tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior mkgassafety.co.uk to their move in.
There are exceptions to this rule, however, if the property is used for short-term leases like holiday cottages or student housing. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection, they must make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could mean the removal and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords are very strict and must be followed. If the 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 person who is in breach.
Total Landlord is here to help if you are a landlord and need to schedule a gas safety inspection. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an extensive inspection and issue the CP12 certificate. Our prices are competitive and we provide a same day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a an email or call us on our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are accountable for a gas safety check every year if you lease out some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, which includes pipework, flues, and fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.
A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current 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.
It's a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety certificate after the inspection and test has been carried out. It must be given to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants before moving into. Keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents that you use.
Landlords are responsible for organizing 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. This could mean sending a clearly written letter explaining why you require access to the property and what security checks will entail. If the tenant does not allow you access and you are not able to gain access, you might think about an Section 21 eviction.
The annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't need to worry about arranging it separately, or when you will have to do it. You can rest assured that our team will be available to assist you should you want to update your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance plans for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. Sign up for an estimate to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price hike guarantees that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.
