5 What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate Lessons From Professionals

What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? If you're a property owner, it's crucial to know your obligations when it comes to the safety of gas at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 are mandatory for landlords. You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be checked each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety record to each tenant. What is a gas safety certification for landlords? Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the property owner following a safety inspection. It should contain all the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that all these things are in good operating order and to provide their tenants with copies of the document they have completed. The law requires that all landlords have their property examined and obtain a new 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 lapse in coverage and provides the best possible protection for their tenants. To get a landlord's gas safety certificate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will perform an inspection of all gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. The engineer will also test each appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct repairs needed in order to bring them up to standard and issue a new gas safety certificate. If the tenant is unable to allow the landlord to in, the landlord can try to convince them by sending them an explanation in the letter of why the checks are required and what happens to them if they don't allow them entry. If this fails the landlord could consider starting the eviction by delivering a Section 21 notice. You must provide your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each check. It should be handed out to both existing tenants and any new tenants, prior to the time they move in. You must also keep the original record for a period of two years. What is a tenant gas safety certificate? Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60-PS120 depending on what's included in the check. The engineer will issue the CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be given to the tenants in four weeks after the test is completed. This document serves as an official record of the tests and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the first inspection, but it is recommended that they are stored online to reduce paper waste. Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas safety checks. The law stipulates that in the event tenants refuse access, the landlord must adopt 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. You can also contact your local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it's crucial to allow access for safety and maintenance checks. If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access, the landlord should consider beginning the process of expulsion. While this should be considered a last option however, it is a legal right for a landlord to evict a tenant who refuses to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this action as it may be difficult. The landlord is responsible for all gas pipework, appliances and flues that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is the case even if a landlord sublets the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and anyone who is obligated through a contract, must collaborate to ensure that compliance with the statutory requirements. If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to oversee their rental properties, it is essential to know who is in charge of arranging the gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but it is important to inquire with the agency to confirm that you are protected. What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting? When a landlord leases their property, they must make sure that the place is safe for the residents who reside there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed engineer and deemed safe. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety checks completed every year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks should be performed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number and a date of the issue. The landlord must also give the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days after the completion of any checks. In the same way, they must provide any new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move into the property. This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let out for a brief period of time, like an apartment for students or a holiday home. gas safety certificate duplicate 's a good idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, as it could save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future. If a landlord determines that any of their appliances or flues aren't safe in the process of an inspection, they must make arrangements for them to be repaired as soon as they can. This could involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installing. Landlords are responsible for making sure that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by looking at their identification card prior to carrying out any work. Despite the exemptions discussed above, the rules governing landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be complied with. If the landlord is found be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted which could result in penalties of fines or even jail time for the person who is in breach. Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord who needs to arrange an inspection of gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your property, carry out a full inspection and issue an CP12 gas safety certificate. Our prices are competitive and we offer a same day service for emergencies. Call us or visit our site for more details. What is an annual check-up on gas? Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety inspection every year, if you lease some or all of your home. This includes checking your boiler as well as any other gas appliances, including pipes, flues and fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases. A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure 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 turned on and the gas meter has money on it. After the inspection and the examination, it's a good idea to give an original copy of your gas safety report to your tenants. It should be given to any existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants prior to they move in. Keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ. gas safety certificate duplicate have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant does not permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, then you must take “reasonable steps” to gain access. You could send an explanation in a letter of why you require access to the property as well as the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant does not allow you access then you might think about a Section 21 eviction. If you purchase a landlord insurance policy through Hometree the annual gas safety check is included. There's no need to fret about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you will require it. You can also be assured that we're there for you should you need to renew your insurance or alter any information. For more information about our insurance plans for landlords you can visit the Hometree website. Request an estimate to learn more about the coverage and cost. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.