If you're a landlord it's crucial to know your responsibilities when it comes to the gas safety of your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. Also, you must provide the gas safety certificate to every tenant.
What is a gas safety certificate for landlords?
Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner following an inspection for safety. The document should include all the information regarding the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the items are in good condition and to give copies of the completed document to their tenants.
All landlords are required by law to have their properties inspected every 12 months, and to obtain a new certificate of gas safety certificate and boiler service safety. The regulations require landlords to plan their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of their current certificate. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps 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 property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency control. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing allow access for the inspection, the landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service can attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection by sending a strongly worded letter explaining why they need the inspections to be conducted and what will happen in the event they refuse to allow them to enter. If this doesn't work, the landlord may decide to start the eviction process by serving an Section 21 notice.
Your tenants must receive a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after each inspection. The record should be provided to all tenants, including any new tenants, prior to the time they move into your property. You should also keep the original document for a period of 2 years.
What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?
In general, landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances in their property are inspected annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement, and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. The engineer will provide a CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. The document must be provided to tenants within four weeks following the test has been completed. This document serves as an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection, but it is recommended that they are stored online to reduce the amount of paper that is thrown away.
The landlords must also ensure that they can access the property to perform the annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law states that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain entry to complete the inspection. This may include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. You can also contact your local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it is important to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords should consult with a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is true even if the property has been completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and anyone who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements should collaborate, with a an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.
If a landlord has hired the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential to know who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, however you must check with the agency to confirm that you are protected.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
If a landlord leases their property, they have to make sure that the place is safe for those who live there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified engineer and deemed safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord gas safety certificate uk to ensure that they have their gas safety inspections done each year, and to ensure that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue.
It is also a legal requirement for landlords to provide tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. In the same way, they must provide new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move into the property.
This rule is not applicable if the property has been let for a short period of time, like an apartment for students or a holiday home. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract in order to avoid legal issues in the future.
If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues are unsafe during the course of an inspection they should arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. 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 rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are very strict and must be complied with. If the landlord is found to be in breach of the rules, they may be charged which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the person who is in breach.
If you're a landlord and want to arrange for an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform a full check and provide you with an CP12 certificate. Our prices are affordable and we offer a same day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our website today to learn more.
What is an annual gas safety inspection?
If you rent out part or all of your home, it's your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety test. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as flues, pipework and any fixtures and fittings 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 the gas appliances and flues, and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also check that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money on it.
After the inspection and inspection, it's a good idea to give the completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be given to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants prior to moving in. Keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you use.
Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain access. You can send a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property and the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant does not give you access then you might want to consider an Section 21 eviction.
If you purchase an insurance policy for landlords with Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to arrange it separately or think about when you'll need to get it done. You can rest assured that our team will be there to assist you should you're looking to update your policy information or renew your policy.
For more information on our insurance plans for landlords check out the Hometree website. You can also enroll for a free quote to find out more about the coverage and how much for landlords gas safety certificate much you'll pay. Our guarantee of no price increase means that you will not pay more for your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.