If you're a landlord, it's crucial to know your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues regularly on site. You must also provide a copy gas safety certificate to your tenants.What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the property owner following a safety inspection. This document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework of the property and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good functioning order and give their tenants copies of the completed form.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months and to obtain a new certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require that landlords ensure they schedule their inspections not later than one month before the certificate due to expire. This will prevent any coverage lapse and provides the best possible 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 examine all gas appliances and pipework in the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them back up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate.
If the tenant is unable to let the landlord in, the landlord can attempt to persuade them by delivering an explanation in the letter of the reason for the checks and what happens to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord could consider starting the eviction by delivering an Section 21 notice.
As landlord, you are required to provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being carried out. This must be provided to existing tenants as well as to new tenants prior to their move in. It is also necessary to keep the original records for a period of two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certificate?
Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are tested annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection, which must be distributed to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, however it is advised to keep them online to help reduce the amount of paper waste.
The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct annual gas safety and service checks. The law states that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the inspection. This could include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and repeating requests for access. You can also contact the local council, who may be able to send an official to explain why it is important to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.
If a tenant is still refusing to allow access, the landlord should consider beginning the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must consult with a lawyer prior to making a decision.
The landlord is responsible to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However, the original landlord, and any other person who has been given duties by contract, must collaborate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
It is important to find out whether a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for organizing gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it's important to check with the agency ahead of time to ensure that you are fully covered.
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 are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed engineer and found to be safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to tenants. The checks should be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number as well as a date of the issue.
It is also a legal requirement for the landlord to give the tenants a copy the gas safe certificate check safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. In the same way, they must provide any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property.
This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let for a short duration, such as an apartment for students or a holiday cottage. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to avoid any future legal issues.
If a landlord discovers that any of their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection, they must arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. This could mean the removal and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by examining their photo ID before completing any work.
Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are very strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the rules, they may be charged which could result in fines and even jail sentences for the person who is in breach.
If you're a landlord who needs to arrange an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct an extensive inspection and issue a CP12 certificate. Our prices are competitive and we can provide an same-day service for emergency situations. Call us or visit our site today for more information.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are obliged to conduct an annual gas safety check each year if you rent out a part or all your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas safety certificate landlord appliances like flues and pipework, and any fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gas.
A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure 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 ensure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is filled up.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to provide a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants before they move into the property. You should keep a copy for yourself and any agents you employ.
Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or inspection, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send an email explaining why you require access to the property and the security checks involved. If the tenant is still refusing, you can consider starting the Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't have to worry about scheduling it separately or when you will need to do it. You can be confident that our team will be there to assist you if you need to update your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information about our insurance for landlords check out the Hometree website. Sign up for a quote to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our guarantee of no price increases means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.