Ten Things Everybody Is Uncertain About What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? It's important that you understand your responsibilities as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are required for landlords. You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be examined each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide the gas safety certificate to every tenant. What is a landlord gas safety certificate? Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner after an inspection for safety. The document should contain all information about the properties gas pipework and appliances that have been checked for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good condition and to provide copies of the completed document to their tenants. The law requires that all landlords have their property checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to avoid any lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants. To obtain a landlord's Gas Safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will conduct a full examination of all gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency controls. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance. If the tenant is unable to let the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince them by delivering a letter that explains the reason for the checks and what will happen to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this isn't working the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice. can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate must receive a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after each inspection. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they 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 certificate? In general, landlords are responsible to ensure that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, and it must be passed on to tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document serves as an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, although it's recommended that they are stored online to reduce paper waste. Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual gas and service security inspections. The law stipulates that if tenants refuse access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain access and complete the inspection. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and ask them to contact an engineer directly and to repeat requests for entry. You may also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it is important to allow access for safety and maintenance checks. If a tenant is still refusing to allow access to the property, the landlord should think about initiating the process of eviction. While this should be considered a last resort but it is legal right for a landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this action as it may be difficult. The landlord is responsible to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However the landlord who was the original tenant, and anyone who is obligated by contract, must collaborate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements. If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is essential that they find out who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but you should consult with the agency to ensure that you are protected. What is a gas safety certification for sub-let? When a landlord rents their property, they have to ensure that it is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been checked and deemed safe by a qualified gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety checks completed every year and that copies are given to the tenants who live there. The checks should be performed by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number and date of the issue. It is also legal that the landlord hand the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. The landlord must also give new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property. There are exceptions to this policy, however, in the case of a property being used for short-term rentals like student housing or holiday cottages. It is a good idea to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, because it will save you a lot of hassle and legal issues in the future. If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances aren't safe in the course of an inspection they must arrange for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for ensuring 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 mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found be in violation of the regulations, they may be charged and could face penalties of fines or even jail time for the party who committed the offense. If you're a landlord and want to arrange 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 issue you with the CP12 gas safety certificate. gas safety certificate how often are affordable and we offer a same day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our site today for more information. What is an annual gas check? Legally, you are obliged to conduct a gas safety check every year if you rent out some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including pipes and flues, as well as the fixtures and fittings that utilize or exhaust gas. A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money on it. After the inspection and check, it's a great idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to new tenants prior to they move into the property. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents that you use. Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. You could send an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant is still refusing to allow access, you could consider launching the Section 21 eviction process. When you buy an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about arranging it separately, or when you'll require it. You can rest assured that our team will be there to help you if you need to update your policy details or renew your policy. For more information about our landlord insurance packages check out the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a no-cost quote to find out more about the packages and how much you'll have to pay. Our promise of no price hike guarantees that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.