What Is What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate And How To Utilize It?
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? It is important to understand your responsibilities as a landlord when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998, are a requirement for landlords. Our Web Page registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances on site annually. You must also give an original copy of your gas safety record to every tenant. What is a gas safety certificate for landlords? Gas Safe registered engineers issue a landlord gas safety certification to the owner after an inspection for safety. This document should contain all the information regarding the gas pipework in the property and appliances that have been tested for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the items are in good order and to provide copies of the document to their tenants. All landlords are required by law to inspect their properties every 12 months and obtain an updated certificate of gas safety. The regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of the current certificate. This helps them avoid any coverage gaps and offer the most secure 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 examine every gas appliance and pipework in the property. Additionally, the engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance. If the tenant refuses to let the landlord in, the landlord may try to persuade them by delivering an email that explains why the checks are required and what will happen to them if they do not let them in. If this fails the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by delivering a Section 21 notice. It is mandatory to provide your tenants with copies of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days of each inspection. This should be given to all tenants, including any new tenants prior to when they move in. In addition, you must also keep a copy of the record for two years. What is a gas safety certificate for tenants? Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are regularly tested by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, and it must be distributed to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. The document is an account of the inspections 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 minimize the amount of paper used. The landlords must also ensure that they have access to the property in order to carry out the annual gas and service security inspections. If a tenant is unwilling to allow access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to complete the inspection. This can include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and then reiterating requests for access. It can also include contact with the local council, who may be able to send an official round to explain the importance of granting access to safety and maintenance checks. If the tenant does not let access in, the landlord may consider eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who do not cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this step as it may be difficult. The landlord is responsible to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for tenants. This is true even if a landlord sublets the property to a third party. However the original landlord and anyone who has been assigned responsibilities through a contract, must collaborate to ensure that the requirements of the law are met. If a landlord has enlisted the services of an agent managing their rental properties, it is important to know who is in charge of organizing the gas safety test. Certain agents will be able to take on this responsibility, but it is important to consult with the agency to confirm that you are covered. What is a sub-let gas safety certificate? When a landlord leases their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for those who reside there. Gas safety certificates show that all gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified engineer and deemed safe. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are conducted each year, and copies of the certificates are provided to tenants. The checks must be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must contain the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of the issue. The landlord must also provide tenants a copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the conclusion of any checks. Similarly, they must give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form prior to moving into the property. This rule is not applicable when the property is let out for a brief time, such as a student house or holiday home. Include these exemptions in the terms of your tenancy contract to avoid legal issues in the future. If a landlord determines that their appliances or flues aren't safe during the course of an inspection they must arrange to have them fixed as soon as possible. This could mean the removal and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords should ensure that their gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to carrying out any work. Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations governing landlords and gas safety checks are strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found be in violation of the rules, they may be charged which could result in fines or even jail sentences for the person who is in breach. 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 provide an same-day service for emergencies. For gas safety certificate landlord , give us the number or visit our website today. What is an annual gas safety check? You are legally obliged to conduct an annual gas safety check each year if you lease out some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances, including pipes and flues, and any fixtures and fittings which make use of or exhaust gas. A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your home and ensure that everything is current and safe. They will test the flues and gas appliances, and look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning or leaks. They will also ensure that the gas supply is working and the gas meter has money in 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 must be given to existing tenants within 28-days and to tenants who are new before moving in. Keep a copy for yourself and any agents you use. Landlords are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety checks and certificates for their properties. If a tenant does not allow you to carry out the maintenance or inspection, you must take “reasonable steps” to gain access. You could write an email explaining why you require access to the property as well as the safety checks involved. If the tenant is still refusing the request, you may want to consider initiating the Section 21 eviction process. The 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 worry about when you'll need do it. You can be confident that our team will be there to assist you should you want to update your policy information or renew your policy. Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. Sign up for a quote to learn more about the coverage and costs. Our no-price hike guarantee means that your annual premium will not increase more than the rate of inflation for the first year.