It's The Myths And Facts Behind What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? If you're a property owner, it's important to understand your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are required for landlords. You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked every year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to your tenants. What is a gas safety certificate? Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner after an inspection for safety. It should contain all the information about the properties gas pipework, flues and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that these items are in good order and to provide copies of the completed form 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 landlords to schedule their inspections not later than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapses in coverage and ensure the best 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 the gas appliances and pipes in the house. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance. If a tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could try to persuade them by sending a strongly worded letter explaining why they need the checks done and what happens if they don't allow them access. If this isn't working, the landlord may think about initiating the eviction process by serving the tenant with a Section 21 notice. It is mandatory to provide your tenants with copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after each inspection. The record should be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, prior to the time they move into the property. In addition, you must also keep a copy of the document for a period of two years. What is a gas safety certificate for tenants? In general, landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly inspected by a Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be passed on to the tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is an official record of the tests 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 help reduce the amount of the amount of paper that is thrown away. The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual gas and service safety checks. If a tenant does not admit access, the law states that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to gain entry to carry out the check. It is possible to write to the tenant and asking them to contact an engineer directly and to repeat requests for access. It can also include contacting the local council who may be able send an official round to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance inspections. If the tenant refuses to let access in and the landlord is considering eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords must 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 a landlord sublet the property to a third party. However, the original landlord, and anyone else who is obligated through a contract, must collaborate to ensure that the requirements of the law are met. It is crucial 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. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but it is important to inquire with the agency to make sure that you are protected. What is a gas safety certification for sub-let? When a landlord rents their property they need to make sure that it is safe for the people living there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed engineer and found to be safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and that copies of the certificates are provided to the tenants. The checks should be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number as well as a date of the issue. The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the conclusion of any checks. The landlord must also give any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form prior to moving 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 as part of your tenancy agreement to avoid legal issues in the future. If a landlord determines that their flues or appliances aren't safe during the course of an inspection, they should arrange for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This could involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. 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 rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. 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 and need to arrange for a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection, and issue you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive rates and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a the number or visit our website today. What is do i need a gas safety certificate ? If you lease out a part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety test. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as flues, pipework and any fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases. A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is up-to-date and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is charged up. After the inspection and the examination, it's a good idea to provide an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. The record must be handed out to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move in. do i need a gas safety certificate should also keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you use. Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant refuses to allow you to carry out the maintenance or check, you must take “reasonable steps” to gain access. You can send a letter explaining the reason you need to access the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant still refuses the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process. When you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. This means that you don't need to organize it on your own or think about when you'll have to do it. You can also be assured that we're there for you should you need to renew your policy or change any information. For more information on our insurance plans for landlords check out the Hometree website. Request an estimate to find out more about the coverage and cost. Our promise of no price increase means that you won't pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.