What Is What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate And How To Utilize It

What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? It's crucial to know your obligations as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are mandatory for landlords. You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be examined annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also give a copy of your 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 an inspection for safety. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these things are in good working order and that they provide their tenants with copies of the completed document. All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and obtain a new certificate of gas safety. 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 helps them avoid any coverage lapse 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. This engineer will carry out an exhaustive inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. In addition the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. landlord gas safety certificate uk will also test the emergency control for each appliance. If the tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to allow access by sending a clearly written letter that explains why they should have the checks done and what would happen should they refuse to allow them access. If this fails the landlord should consider starting the eviction process by sending them the Section 21 notice. You must provide your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each check. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, before they move into the property. You should also keep the original records for two years. What is a gas safety certification for tenants? Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are tested annually by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost could range from PS60 to PS120 depending on the nature of the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 is required to be handed out to tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. This document is an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the initial inspection, although it's advised to keep them online to reduce paper waste. Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual gas and service safety checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law states that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to complete the check. This can include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. You can also contact your local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access to the property, the landlord could consider eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer prior to taking this step. The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and provide for use by the tenants. This applies even if the property has been entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements must work together, with clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met. If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is important to know who is in charge of arranging the gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it's important to check with the agency in advance to ensure that you are fully protected. What is a sub-let gas safety certificate? When a landlord rents out their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for the residents living there. A gas safety certificate shows that all the gas appliances and flues in the property have been tested and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted each year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks must be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number and a date of the issue. The landlord must also give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 days following the completion of any checks. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to their move into the property. There are exceptions to this rule however, in the case of a property being used for short-term rentals like holiday cottages or student housing. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy agreement to avoid legal issues in the future. If a landlord discovers their flues or appliances do not meet safety standards during an inspection, they must repair them as soon as he can. This may require the disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by examining their photocard before carrying out any work. Despite the exemptions mentioned above the regulations regarding gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If a landlord is found in violation of the regulations they could be prosecuted and could face fines or even prison sentences. If you're a landlord who needs to arrange for a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property, carry out a full inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we can provide an same-day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us a an email or call us on our website today. What is an annual gas check? If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety inspection. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances, including flues and pipework, and the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas. A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure everything is up to date and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also check that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter has money in it. After the inspection and the check, it's a great idea to provide 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. Keep a copy for yourself and any agents that you use. Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses to let you carry out the maintenance or check, you must take “reasonable steps” to gain access. This could mean sending a strongly worded letter explaining why you need access to the property and what the security checks will be. If the tenant refuses to let you in, you may want to consider an Section 21 eviction. Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to organize it on your own or worry about when you'll need to get it done. You can also rest assured that we've got your back in the event that you have to renew your insurance or change any information. Visit the Hometree website for more details about our landlord insurance plans. You can also enroll for a free quote to learn more about the coverage and how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.