What Is What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate And Why Is Everyone Speakin' About It?

What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?

If you're a landlord it is important to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances on site annually. Also, you must provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.

What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a legal document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following carrying out a safety check. It should contain all the information about the properties 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 give their tenants copies of the completed form.

The law requires that all landlords have their property inspected and get a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections not later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and provide the best protection to their tenants.

To get a gas safety certificate for your landlord You will need to make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will examine every gas appliance and pipework within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. The engineer will also test the emergency controls on each appliance.

If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord in, the landlord could try to persuade them by delivering an email that explains why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they do not allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord should think about initiating the eviction process by serving them with an Section 21 notice.

As  do homeowners need a gas safety certificate , you must give your tenants a copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. This should be given to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move in. It is also necessary to keep the original records for two years.

What is a tenant gas safety certificate?

In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly inspected by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost of the test can vary from PS60 to PS120 based on the extent of the check. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, and it must be handed over to the tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document is a record and should be kept by the landlord two years after the date of the first inspection. It's recommended to store them online to reduce waste.

Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual service and gas safety inspections. The law states that if tenants refuse access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain access and complete the check. 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 may be able send an official to explain why it's important to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.

If a tenant is still refusing to grant access the landlord should think about beginning the process of eviction. While this should be considered a last option, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer before making a decision.

The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment they own and supply to tenants. This is true regardless of whether the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and anyone who is acquiring responsibilities through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are met.

It is important to find out whether a landlord has employed 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 is important to inquire with the agency in advance to ensure that you are fully protected.

What is a sub-let gas safety certificate?

When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents living there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed engineer and deemed safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted each year, and copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks must be carried out by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number as well as a date of issue.

The landlord must also give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 days following the completion of any checks. Similarly, they must give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving into the property.

There are exceptions to this policy, however, when the property is used for short-term lets like holiday cottages for students or student housing. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract in order to prevent any legal issues later on.

If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, he must repair them as soon as possible. This could involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by seeing their identification card prior to carrying out any work.

Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found to not comply with the rules, they could face prosecution, which can result in fines or even jail sentences for the party who committed the offense.

If you're a landlord and want to arrange for a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home, carry out a full inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer an same-day service in the event of an emergency. Call us or visit our site for more details.

What is an annual gas safety check?

If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including flues and pipework, as well as any fixtures and fittings which make use of or exhaust gas.

A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure everything is up to date and safe.  gas safety certificate check  will examine the gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is charged up.

After the inspection and the check, it's a great idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. The record must be handed out to existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move into the property. You should keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you employ.

Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant does not allow you to carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could write an explanation in a letter of why you require access to the property and the security checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is unwilling to give you access, you may want to consider the possibility of a Section 21 eviction.

If you purchase a landlord insurance policy through Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't have to organize it on your own or fret about when you'll have to complete it. You can also be confident that we've got your back should you need to renew your policy or amend any details.

Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a no-cost quote to learn more about the packages and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price increases means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.