15 Interesting Facts About What Is A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate You've Never Seen

What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? If you're a landlord it's crucial to know your responsibilities in relation to the gas safety of your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are required for landlords. Gas Safe registered engineers must check your appliances and flues at least once a year. You should also provide a copy of your gas safety record to every tenant. What is a gas safety certificate? Gas Safe registered engineers issue an official gas safety certificate for landlords to the owner after a safety inspection. It should contain all the details about the property's gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that all of 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 properties examined and obtain an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require that landlords schedule their inspections at least one month prior to expiration of their current certificate. This allows them to avoid any coverage lapse and provides the best possible protection for their tenants. To obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord, you will need to get an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform an exhaustive inspection of all of the gas appliances and installation pipes within the property. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency controls for each appliance. If any of the appliances are deemed to be dangerous the engineer will inform you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them back up to standard and issue an updated gas safety certificate. If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord may try to convince them by sending a strongly worded letter explaining why they need the checks to be completed and what will happen should they refuse to allow them to enter. If this isn't working 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 after every check. It should be handed out to all tenants, including any new tenants, prior to the time they move in. Additionally, you must also keep a copy of the lease 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. The cost could vary from PS60 to PS120, depending on the extent of the inspection. The engineer will give an CP12 to the landlord following the inspection. The CP12 must be provided to tenants within four weeks after the test is completed. This document serves as an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection, but it is recommended to store them online to minimize the amount of paper that is thrown away. Landlords must also make sure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual gas and service safety checks. The law stipulates that if the tenant refuses access, the landlord has to use reasonable measures to gain access and complete the inspection. This may include writing to them, asking them to contact the engineer directly, and reiterating requests for entry. It can also include calling the local council, who might be able to send an official circular to explain the importance of granting access for maintenance and safety checks. If the tenant refuses to allow access to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to remove tenants who refuse to cooperate with security checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior to taking this action as it may be difficult. The landlord is accountable for all gas pipework, appliances and flues that they own and offer for use by the tenants. This is the case regardless of whether the property is entirely or partially sublet by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and anyone who acquires duties through contractual arrangements must work together, with an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are met. It is essential to determine whether a landlord has employed an agent managing their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will assume this responsibility, but you should consult with the agency to ensure that you are protected. What is a gas safety certification for sub-letting? When a landlord rents out their property they need to make sure that it is safe for the people who live there. Gas safety certificates are proof that all gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified engineer and are deemed safe. It is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety checks done each year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who reside there. The checks must be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form must include their ID number and a date of the issue. It is also legal that the landlord hand the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into. There are some exceptions to this rule, however, if the property is used for short-term leases like holiday cottages or student housing. It is an ideal idea to include the details of these exemptions in your tenancy contract, because it will save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future. If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, he should repair them in the shortest time possible. This could involve disconnecting and reconnecting the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are accountable for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by examining their identification card prior to carrying out any work. Despite gas safety certificate price mentioned above the regulations regarding gas safety inspections for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in breach of the rules, they could be prosecuted which could result in fines or even jail sentences for the person who is in breach. Total Landlord is here to assist you if you're a landlord that needs to schedule an inspection for gas safety. We have a network of Gas Safe engineers who can visit your home and conduct a thorough inspection and issue an CP12 gas safety certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a an email or call us on our website today. What is an annual gas safety check? If you lease out a portion or all of your home, it's your legal responsibility to have an annual gas safety check. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances, including pipes and flues and the fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gas. 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 look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also ensure that the gas is turned on and that the gas meter is topped up. After the inspection and check, it's a great idea to give a copy of your completed gas safety report to your tenants. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. Keep a copy of your gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire. gas safety certificate cost are responsible for arranging and paying for gas safety tests and certificates for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, then you must take “reasonable steps” to gain access. You could send a letter explaining the reason you require access to the property as well as the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant refuses to allow you access then you might want to consider a Section 21 eviction. Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't need to worry about arranging it separately, or when you'll require it. You can be assured that our team will be there to assist you if you're looking to update your policy details or renew your policy. Visit the Hometree website for more details about our landlord insurance plans. You can also sign up for a no-cost quote to find out more about the packages and how much you'll have to pay. Our guarantee of no price hikes means that you will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.