7 Useful Tips For Making The Most Of Your What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? It is important to understand your responsibilities as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are required for landlords. You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be checked each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give the gas safety record to each tenant. What is a gas safety certification for landlords? A landlord gas safety certificate is a formal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property after carrying out a safety check. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that all these items are in good functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the completed document. The law requires that all landlords have their properties checked and receive a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require that landlords schedule their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of the current certificate. This allows them to prevent any coverage gaps and provide the best security 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 conduct a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. In addition the engineer will examine the emergency controls of each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance. If the tenant refuses to allow the landlord in, the landlord could attempt to persuade them by delivering an email that explains why the checks are necessary and what happens to them if they do not let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord should think about initiating the eviction process by giving them a Section 21 notice. You must provide your tenants copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after every check. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants, prior to the time they move into the property. In addition, you should also keep a copy of the lease for two years. What is a gas safety certification for tenants? Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are tested annually by an 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 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. This document is 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 to store them online to reduce the amount of paper that is thrown away. The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual gas and service security inspections. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to use reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the check. This could include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for access. It could also involve calling the local council, who might be able to send an official letter to explain the necessity of granting access for maintenance and safety checks. If a tenant is still refusing to grant access the landlord should think about beginning the process of expulsion. It is the landlord's legal right to evict tenants who refuse to cooperate with safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking this step. The landlord is responsible to provide gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This is true even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, however the original landlord and anyone who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must collaborate, with a clear allocation of responsibilities, to ensure that the legal requirements are met. If a landlord has hired 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. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, however you must check with the agency to ensure that you are protected. What is a gas safety certification for sub-let? When a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that it is safe for the people who reside there. Gas safety certificates prove that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified engineer and deemed safe. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are performed every year, and that copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks must be conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and date of issue. The landlord is also required to give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 working days following the completion of any checks. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move in. This rule is not applicable if the property has been rented out for a short duration, such as an apartment for students or a holiday cottage. It would be a good idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, since it can save you a lot of hassle and legal issues in the future. If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues aren't safe during the course of an inspection, they must make arrangements 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 responsible for making sure 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 discussed above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could face prosecution and could face penalties of fines or even jail time for the offending party. If you're a landlord and need to arrange for an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property and conduct a thorough inspection and issue a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are affordable and we offer an same-day service for emergencies. Contact us or visit our site today for more information. What is an annual gas safety check? If you lease out a part or all of your home, it is your legal obligation to conduct an annual gas safety test. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, and any fixtures and fittings which utilize or exhaust gas. Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and ensure that everything is safe and up-to-date. They will examine the gas appliances and flues and look for indications of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. she said will also check that the gas supply is working and the gas meter has money on it. It is a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety certificate after the inspection and verification has been carried out. It should be given to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to new tenants prior to they move into the property. Keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire. Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out the landlord must take reasonable steps' to gain access. This may include sending a strongly worded letter stating why you require access to the property and what the safety checks will involve. If the tenant refuses to allow you access, you may think about an Section 21 eviction. If you purchase an insurance policy for your landlord with Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to arrange it separately or worry about when you'll have to get it done. You can also be confident that we're there for you should you need to renew your policy or amend any details. Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. Request a quote to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our no price hike promise guarantees that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.