What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?

It's crucial to know your obligations as landlords when it comes to gas safety. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, are a requirement for landlords.

You must arrange for your on-site appliances and flues to be examined each year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also give a copy of your gas safety report to your tenants.

What is a gas safety certificate?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a formal document that a Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety audit. This should include all of 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 functioning order and provide their tenants with copies of the completed document.

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 that landlords ensure they plan their inspections no more than one month before the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective protection for their tenants.

To obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord you must get a Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. This engineer will inspect all gas appliances and pipework in the house. Additionally the engineer will test the emergency control for each appliance. If any of the appliances are deemed to be hazardous the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work required to bring them back up to standard and issue a new gas safety certificate.

If the tenant is refusing to allow access for the inspection, the landlord could attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to allow access by sending a clearly written letter explaining why they need the inspections to be conducted and what happens if they don't allow them to enter. If this isn't working the landlord could consider starting the eviction by delivering a Section 21 notice.

As landlord, you are required to give your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of each check being conducted. The record should be given to existing tenants, as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. In addition, you should keep a copy of the lease for two years.

What is a tenant gas safety certificate?

In general, landlords are responsible to ensure that all gas appliances in their property are inspected annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the costs can vary between PS60-PS120 based on the items included in the test. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, and it must be distributed to the tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. The document is a proof of the inspection and must be kept by the landlord for two years after the date of the initial inspection. It is recommended to store them online to reduce waste.

Landlords should also ensure that they have access to the property to carry out the annual service and gas security checks. If a tenant is unwilling to permit access, the law stipulates that the landlord must take all reasonable steps' to complete the check. It could be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to make repeated requests for access. You may also contact the local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it is important to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.

If a tenant continues to refuse to allow access to the property, the landlord should think about beginning the process of expulsion. While this should be a last option however, it is a legal right for the landlord to expel a tenant who refuses to cooperate with essential security checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking such a step.

The landlord is required to supply gas appliances, pipes and flues for the tenants. This applies even if the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any other person who acquires duties through contractual arrangements should cooperate, with a clear division of duties, to ensure that the statutory requirements are fully met.

If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage 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 make sure that you are covered.

What is a sub-let gas safety certification?

When a landlord rents out their property they need to ensure that the property is safe for those who live there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all the gas appliances and flues in the property have been checked and deemed to be safe by a qualified gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that they get their gas safety checks completed each year, and to ensure that copies are handed over to the tenants who reside there. The checks should be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and the CP12 form should include their ID number as well as a date of issue.

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

This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been 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 legal issues in the future.

If a landlord discovers that their flues or appliances are not in compliance with the safety standards of an inspection, they must repair them in the shortest time possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for making sure 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 the exemptions mentioned above, the rules governing gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the rules, they could be prosecuted and face fines or even jail sentences.

If you're a landlord and need to arrange a gas safety check, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out an extensive inspection and provide you with an CP12 certificate. Our prices are competitive and we provide the same day service for emergency situations. For more information, give us a call or visit our website today.

What is an annual check-up on gas?

You are legally accountable for an annual gas safety check each year, if you lease the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking the boiler as well as other gas appliances, including pipes and flues as well as any fixtures and fittings which utilize or exhaust gas.

A certified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your property and make sure that everything is current and safe. They will test all gas appliances and flues and check for signs of leaking or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also make sure that the gas is switched on and that the gas meter is topped up.

It's a good idea provide your tenants with copies of the completed gas safety certificate how often safety report after the inspection and test was completed. The record must be handed out to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants prior to when they move in. Keep a copy of the gas safety certificate and boiler service safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.

Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. If a tenant is unwilling to permit you to conduct the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You can send an explanation in a letter of why you do homeowners need a gas safety certificate to access the property as well as the safety inspections that are required. If the tenant is unwilling to give you access, you may want to consider a Section 21 eviction.

Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. There's no need to fret about scheduling it separately or when you will require it. You can also be confident that we've got your back if you need to renew your insurance or amend any details.

For more information on our landlord insurance packages check out the Hometree website. You can also enroll for a free quote to find out more about what's included and how much you'll pay. Our promise of no price hikes means that you won't pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate of the first year.