A Comprehensive Guide To What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate From Start To Finish

What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? If you're a property owner, it is important to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues on site annually. Also, you must provide an original copy of your gas safety record to every tenant. What is a landlord gas safety certificate? A gas safety certificate for a landlord is a formal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after carrying out a safety check. It should contain all of the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of these items are in good operating order and to 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 landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the certificate due to expire. This will prevent any lapse in coverage and gives 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 conduct an exhaustive inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs required to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certification. If the tenant is unable to let the landlord in, the landlord could try to convince them by sending them an email that explains why the checks are required and what happens to them if they do not allow them entry. If this fails the landlord should look into initiating the eviction process by sending them an Section 21 notice. As an owner, you must give your tenants a copy of your completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check being conducted. It should be handed out to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. It is also necessary to keep the original record for two years. What is a gas safety certification for tenants? In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances within their properties are checked annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost can range from PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the check. The engineer will give the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document is required to be handed out to tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is a proof of the inspection and should be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to keep them online in order to reduce waste. Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual service and gas security checks. The law states that if tenants refuse access, the landlord must use reasonable measures to gain entry and complete the check. This could include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for access. You can also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it is crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections. If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access, the landlord should consider starting the process of eviction. While this should be a last option but it is legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. This can be a complicated process, so landlords should consult a lawyer before taking this step. The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and provide to tenants. This applies even if the property has been entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the legal requirements are met. If a landlord has employed the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is important that they find out who is responsible for arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it is important to check with the agency prior to your visit to be certain that you are fully covered. What is a sub-let gas safety certification? If a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for the residents who live there. A gas safety certificate shows that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property have been checked and deemed to be safe by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are performed each year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to tenants. The checks should be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number as well as a date of issue. It is also legal that the landlord hand the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. In the same way, they must provide any new tenants a copy of the CP12 form before they move into the property. This rule is not applicable when the property is rented out for a short period of time, like a student house or holiday home. It's a good idea to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, as it could save you a lot of trouble and legal complexities in the future. If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances do not meet safety standards during an inspection, he must repair them as soon as he can. This could mean disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords must ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to performing any work. Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords are strict and must be adhered to. If a landlord is found in violation of the rules, they could be prosecuted and face fines or even jail sentences. If you're a landlord who needs to arrange for a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home, carry out a full inspection and provide you with a CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we can provide the same day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a the number or visit our website today. What is an annual gas check? You are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety check every year if you lease out a part or all your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances including pipes and flues as well as the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas. gas safety certificate check trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is filled up. It's a good idea give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and check was carried out. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28-days and to new tenants prior to moving into. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ. Landlords are responsible for organizing and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If a tenant refuses access to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. You could write an explanation in a letter of why you have to gain access to the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant refuses to give you access then you might think about a Section 21 eviction. When you buy a landlord insurance policy with Hometree and Hometree, your annual gas safety check is included. That means you don't need to arrange it separately or think about when you'll have to get it done. You can be assured that our team will be available to assist you if you're looking to change your policy information or renew your policy. Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our insurance for landlords. check it out can also sign up for a free estimate to learn more about what's included and the cost you'll be paying. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.