What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?

If you're a landlord it is important to know your responsibilities when it comes to the safety of gas in your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, are a requirement for landlords.

You must arrange for certificate cost your onsite appliances and flues to be examined each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You should also provide a copy gas safety record to your tenants.

What is a landlord gas safety certificate?

Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner after an inspection to ensure safety. This should include all of the details about the property's gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the items are in good condition and to provide copies of the completed form to their tenants.

All landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations also require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month prior to when the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This allows them to prevent any gaps in coverage and ensure the best protection to their tenants.

To obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. This engineer will carry out a full examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework in the property. In addition the engineer will test the emergency control for each appliance. If any appliances are found to be hazardous the engineer will inform you on the correct work needed in order to bring them up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certificate.

If the tenant is unable to allow the landlord in, the landlord could try to persuade them by sending them an explanation in the letter of the reason for the checks and what happens to them if they refuse to allow them to enter. If this fails the landlord should think about initiating the eviction process by giving them an Section 21 notice.

You must provide your tenants copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of every check. The record should be given to current tenants as well as to any new tenants before they move into the property. You should also keep the original records for two years.

What is a gas safety certification for tenants?

Generally speaking, landlords should ensure that all gas appliances that are in their property are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost of the test can range from PS60 to PS120, [Redirect-303] depending on the extent of the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be distributed to tenants within four weeks after the test has been completed. This document is a record and must be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the initial inspection. It's recommended to store them online to reduce the amount of waste.

Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to conduct the annual how long does gas safety certificate last and service safety inspections. The law states that if a tenant refuses access, the landlord has to take'reasonable measures' to gain entry and complete the check. It could be necessary to write to the tenant and request that they contact an engineer directly, and to make repeated requests for access. You may also contact the local council, who may be able send an official to explain why it's essential to allow access for maintenance and safety inspections.

If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access, the landlord should consider initiating the process of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who do not cooperate with security checks. This can be a difficult process, so landlords must 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 to tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and any other person who is obligated through a contract, must collaborate to ensure that the statutory requirements are met.

It is crucial to determine whether a landlord has hired an agent to manage their rental properties. They should also ask who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, however you must inquire with the agency to ensure that you are protected.

What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?

If a landlord leases their property, they have to ensure that it is safe for those who reside there. A gas safety certificate proves that all gas appliances and flues within the property have been inspected and deemed safe by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas safety checks are conducted every year, and copies of the certificates are provided to the tenants. The checks must be conducted by an accredited Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should contain their ID number and date of issue.

The landlord is also required to give the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 days following the conclusion of any checks. Similarly, the landlord must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into.

This rule is not applicable when the property is rented out for a short duration, such as an apartment for students or a holiday home. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to prevent any legal issues later on.

If a landlord finds that their flues or appliances do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, they must fix them as soon as possible. This may involve disconnection and reconnection of 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 completing any work.

Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords are very strict and must be complied with. If a landlord is found in violation of the rules, they could be prosecuted and could face fines or even jail sentences.

If you're a landlord and want to arrange for a gas safety inspection, 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 reasonable and we provide an same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.

What is an annual gas check?

If you rent out part or all of your home, it's your legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety check. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, such as pipework, flues, and fittings and fixtures that use or exhaust gases.

Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure all is in good order and up-to-date. They will test the gas appliances and flues, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also make sure that the gas supply is turned on and that the gas meter has money in it.

It's a good idea give your tenants copies of the completed gas safety report after the inspection and verification was carried out. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28-days and to tenants who are new before moving in. You should keep the copy for yourself as well as any agents you employ.

Landlords are accountable for arranging and paying for gas safety inspections and certificates for their properties. If the tenant refuses to allow the check or maintenance work to be completed it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could send an explanation in a letter of why you have to gain access to the property and the security checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is unwilling to let you in and you are not able to gain access, you might think about a Section 21 eviction.

Your annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to arrange it separately or fret about when you'll need get it done. You can also be confident that we've got your back should you need to renew your policy or alter any information.

For more information on our insurance plans for landlords you can visit the Hometree website. Sign up for an estimate to find out more about the coverage and costs. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual cost won't increase by more than the rate of inflation for the first year.