What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?

If you're a landlord it is important to know your responsibilities in relation to the safety of gas at your property. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are mandatory for landlords.

You must arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be examined every year by an Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also provide a copy gas safety report to your tenants.

What is a landlord gas safety certificate?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a formal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of a property following conducting a safety audit. It should contain all the information about the properties gas pipework, flues and appliances that are inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that these items are in good condition and to send copies of the document to their tenants.

The law requires that all landlords have their properties inspected and get an updated gas safety certificate every 12 months. However, the regulations also require landlords to plan their inspections no more than one month before the current certificate is due to expire. This helps them avoid any lapse in coverage and offers the most effective 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 conduct an inspection of all of the gas safety certificate replacement appliances and installation pipework within the property. The engineer will also test the appliance's emergency controls. If any appliances are found to be dangerous, the engineer will advise you on the correct repair work needed in order to bring them up to standard and issue a new gas safety certificate.

If a tenant is refusing allow access for the inspection, the landlord may try to persuade them by sending a strongly worded letter outlining why they require the inspections to be conducted and what happens in the event they refuse to allow them to enter. If this doesn't work the landlord could consider starting the eviction by delivering a Section 21 notice.

Your tenants must receive a copy of a completed Landlord Gas Safety Record, within 28 days after every check. The record should be provided to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move in. It is also necessary to keep the original document for a period of two years.

What is a tenant gas safety certification?

In general, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances within their property are inspected annually by an Gas Safe certified engineer. This is a legal requirement and the cost could range from PS60 and PS120 depending on what's included in the inspection. The engineer will issue an CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord after the inspection, which must be distributed to the tenants within four weeks of the test being completed. The document is a proof of the inspection and must be kept by the landlord two years following the date of the first inspection. It is recommended to keep them online in order to reduce waste.

Landlords must also ensure that they can access the property for annual gas safety and service checks. The law states that if tenants refuse access, the landlord has to adopt reasonable measures to gain entry and carry out the inspection. It is possible to write to the tenant, asking them to contact an engineer directly, and to make repeated requests for access. It can also include calling the local council, who may be able send an official letter to explain the necessity of granting access for maintenance and safety checks.

If the tenant is unwilling to let access in to the property, the landlord could consider the possibility of eviction. It is the landlord's legal right to expel tenants who refuse to cooperate with safety checks. Landlords should seek legal advice prior taking this action as it may be difficult.

The landlord is required to provide gas appliances, pipework and flues for tenants. This applies even if the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties, although the original landlord and any person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements must collaborate, with a an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are fully met.

It is crucial to determine if a landlord has hired a managing agent for their rental properties. They should also inquire who is responsible for scheduling gas safety tests. Certain agents will be responsible for this, but it's important to check with the agency ahead of time to be certain that you are fully covered.

What is a gas safety certificate for sub-letting?

When a landlord rents out their property, they must ensure that the property is safe for those living there. A gas safety certificate shows that all the gas appliances and flues within the property have been checked and deemed safe by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are performed every year, and copies of the certificates are given to tenants. The checks must be conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of the issue.

The landlord must also give tenants a copy the gas certificate within 28 working days following the conclusion of any checks. In the same way, landlords must give a copy of CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into.

This rule is not applicable in the case of a property that has been let out for a brief period of time, like the student house or holiday cottage. It is recommended to include details of these exemptions in your tenancy agreement, because it will save you a lot of stress and legal complexities in the future.

If a landlord safety certificate determines that their flues or appliances are unsafe during the course of an inspection they must arrange for them to be fixed as soon as possible. This may mean disconnection and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, and must verify their identity by looking at their photo ID before completing any work.

Despite the exemptions discussed above, the regulations governing gas safety checks for landlords are extremely strict and must be adhered to. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations and is prosecuted, they could be fined and could be fined or even prison sentences.

If you're a landlord and want 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 a CP12 certificate. Our prices are reasonable and we offer an same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us an email or call us on our website today.

What is an annual check-up on gas?

You are legally responsible for a gas safety check every year, if you lease the entirety or a portion of your home. This includes checking your boiler service and gas safety certificate and any other gas appliances, such as flues, pipework and any fittings or fixtures that utilize or exhaust gases.

Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home and make sure 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 on and that the gas meter has money on it.

It is a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety certificate after the inspection and check was carried out. It should be given to tenants who are currently tenants within 28 days and to any new tenants before they move in. You should also keep a copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you employ.

Landlords have to arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. However, if a tenant refuses access to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be completed, you must take'reasonable steps' to gain entry. You could write an explanation in a letter of why you need to access the property as well as the safety checks involved. If the tenant does not allow you access then you might want to consider an Section 21 eviction.

Your annual gas safety inspection is included in your Hometree landlord insurance policy. You don't need to worry about arranging it in a separate manner, or when you'll need to do it. You can also rest assured that we're here for you if you need to renew your policy or alter any information.

Visit the Hometree website for more details on our landlord insurance packages. You can also sign up for a free estimate to learn more about what's included and how much you'll have to pay. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.