What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?

If you're a property owner, it's important to understand your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at your property. Landlords must adhere to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Gas Safe registered engineers must examine your flues and appliances regularly on site. You should also provide a copy gas safety record 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 after carrying out a safety check. It should contain all the information about the properties gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that the items are in good order and to give copies of the completed document to their tenants.

The law requires that all landlords have their properties inspected and get a new gas safety certificate every 12 months. The regulations require that landlords schedule their inspections at least a month prior to the expiration of the current certificate. This allows them to prevent any gaps in coverage and ensure the best security for their tenants.

To get a landlord's gas safety certificate, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will need to visit the property. The engineer will conduct an examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. Additionally, the engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency control for each appliance.

If the tenant is unwilling to allow the landlord to in, the landlord may try to persuade the tenant to let them in by sending them an explanation in the letter of the reason for the checks and what happens to them if they do not allow them to enter. If this doesn't work the landlord might consider starting the eviction by serving an Section 21 notice.

As a landlord, you must give your tenants an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the date each check is that is carried out. This should be given to both existing tenants and any new tenants, prior to the time they move into your property. You should also keep the original records for a period of two years.

What is a gas safety certificate for tenants?

In general, landlords are accountable to ensure that all gas appliances within their homes are regularly inspected by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The cost can vary from PS60 to PS120 based on the nature of the test. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be distributed to tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. This document is a record and must be kept by the landlord for two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online in order to reduce the amount of waste.

Landlords also need to make sure that they have access to the property for annual gas safety and service inspections. The law stipulates that if tenants refuse access, the landlord must adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the check. It may be necessary to contact the tenant in writing, request that they contact an engineer directly and make repeated requests for entry. You may also contact the local council, who might be able send an official to explain why it's essential to allow access for safety and maintenance inspections.

If the tenant refuses to let access in to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. While this should be a last option, 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 should consult with a lawyer before taking this step.

The landlord is responsible for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances they own and supply to tenants. This is true even if the landlord sublet the property to an outside party. However the original landlord and anyone else who has been assigned responsibilities by contract, should 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 crucial to find out who is responsible for organizing the gas safety test. Some agents will assume responsibility for this, but it's important to check with the agency in advance to ensure you are fully protected.

What is a gas safety certification for sub-let?

If a landlord leases their property they need to make sure that it is safe for the people living there. A gas safety certificate is proof that all the gas appliances and flues within the property have been inspected and deemed to be safe by an experienced gas engineer. It's the responsibility of the landlord gas safety certificate price to ensure that they get their gas safety inspections done every year and that copies are passed onto the tenants who live there. The checks must be conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the gas certificate Safe engineer's ID number and the date of the issue.

It is also a legal requirement for landlords to provide the tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of any inspections being completed. Similarly, they must give any new tenants a copy the CP12 form before they move into the property.

There are exceptions to this policy however, if the property is used for short-term lets such as student housing or holiday cottages. Include these exemptions as part of your tenancy contract to avoid any future legal issues.

If a landlord discovers that their appliances or flues aren't safe in the process of an inspection, they must arrange to have them repaired as soon as is possible. This may involve disconnection and reconnection of the gas supply to the appliance or installation. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must check their identity by seeing their photocard before carrying out any work.

Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the rules for gas safety inspections for landlords as well as landlords are very strict and must be observed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and could be fined or even prison sentences.

If you're a landlord who needs to arrange a gas safety inspection, Total Landlord can help. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to carry out a full check and issue an CP12 certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we provide an same-day service in the event of an emergency. For more information, give us a an email or call us on our website today.

What is an annual gas check?

Legally, you are obliged to conduct an annual gas safety check each year if you lease out the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking your boiler and any other gas appliances, which includes flues, pipework and any fixtures and fittings that use or exhaust gases.

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

It's a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety record after the inspection and check was completed. It must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants prior to they move into the property. Keep an original copy for yourself and any agents you use.

Landlords are required to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and checks for their properties. If a tenant does not let you carry out the maintenance or check, you must take "reasonable steps" to gain access. You could write an explanation in a letter of why you require access to the property and the safety checks that must be conducted. If the tenant is unwilling to let you in, you may think about a Section 21 eviction.

Your annual gas safety check is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to organize it on your own or think about when you'll need to complete it. You can also be confident that we've got your back should you need to renew your policy or change any information.

Visit the Hometree site to find out more about our landlord insurance plans. 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 will not pay more in your annual premium than the inflation rate for the first year.