“A Guide To What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate In 2024
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? If you're a landlord, it's important to understand your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at 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. do i need a gas safety certificate must also give a copy of your gas safety certificate to your tenants. What is a landlord gas safety certificate? A landlord gas safety certificate is an official document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after conducting a safety audit. This should include all of the information regarding the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are checked for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the items are in good working order and to give copies of the document to their tenants. The law requires that every landlord has their property inspected and get an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections not later than one month prior to when the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any coverage lapse and gives the best protection for their tenants. To obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord, you will need to make arrangements for a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform a full inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. The engineer will also check each appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repairs needed in order to bring them back up to standards and issue an updated gas safety certificate. If the tenant is unable to allow 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 let them in. If this doesn't work the landlord should consider starting the eviction process by giving them a Section 21 notice. As an owner, you must give your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is being carried out. The record should be given to existing tenants, as well as new tenants prior to their move into the property. You must also keep the original record for a period of two years. What is a tenant gas safety certificate? In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances in their property are inspected annually by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost can vary from PS60 to PS120 depending on the nature of the test. The engineer will provide an CP12 to the landlord after the inspection. This document must be given to the tenants in four weeks after the test has been completed. The document is a record and should be stored by the landlord two years after the date of the initial inspection. It's recommended to store the documents online to reduce the amount of waste. Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property in order to conduct the annual gas and service security checks. If a tenant does not allow access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to carry out the check. This could include writing to them, requesting them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for entry. You can also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's essential to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord may consider the possibility of eviction. While this should be considered a last resort, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to making this decision as it can be complicated. The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework and flues, appliances and other equipment that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is the case even if the property has been wholly or partly sub-let by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any other person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements should work together, with clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are met. If a landlord has hired the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is essential to know who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but it is important to inquire with the agency to confirm that you are protected. What is a sub-let gas safety certificate? When a landlord leases their property, they have to make sure that the place is safe for those who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been inspected and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are performed every year, and that copies of the certificates are provided to the 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 the date of issue. It is also a legal requirement for landlords to provide the tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any checks being completed. In the same way, landlords must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants before they move into. This rule is not applicable when the property is rented out for a short time, such as a student house or holiday home. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy agreement to avoid any future legal issues. If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues are not in compliance with safety standards during an inspection, he should make the necessary repairs as soon as possible. This could mean the removal and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by examining their photo ID before completing any work. Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the rules and is prosecuted, they could be fined and face fines or even prison sentences. If you're a landlord and need to arrange for an inspection of your gas safety, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your home to conduct a full check and provide you with a CP12 certificate. We provide competitive prices and same-day service in the event of an emergency. Contact us or visit our website today to learn more. What is an annual gas safety check? If you lease out a part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety check. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, and the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas. A trained Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas supply is working and that the gas meter is stocked with money in it. It's a good idea to give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety certificate after the inspection and verification has been carried out. It should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move in. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents that you use. Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. However, if the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be carried out, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could write a letter explaining the reason you require access to the property and the safety checks involved. If the tenant still refuses, you can consider starting an Section 21 eviction process. Your annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to organize it on your own or fret about when you'll have to complete it. You can also be assured that we're there for you if you need to renew your policy or alter any information. Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. Request an estimate to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.