Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you're a landlord, it is your responsibility to provide your tenants with a gas safety certificate. This should be done every year and prior to any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers registered with Gas Safe are allowed to conduct a CP12 Inspection. You can check the credentials of engineers by examining their Gas Safe ID cards.
What is the definition of a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlord gas safety certificates, or CP12 certificates, prove that a landlord's gas appliances and flues have been examined by an engineer registered with the company and are safe to use. They are legally required for any landlord who rents out property, and must be renewed every year to comply with UK law.
During the inspection, a Gas Safe engineer will inspect all gas appliances, pipework and flues, looking for leaks or unsafe operation. The engineer will also look for carbon monoxide and ensure that there is adequate ventilation. The inspection typically lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour for a typical-sized home.
If there is an issue the engineer will inform you of the issue and recommend any needed repairs to ensure your tenants' safety. If you do not make the necessary repairs, you will not be issued with the gas safety certificate for landlords.
A gas safety certificate for your landlord is a crucial part of ensuring your tenants' health and wellbeing. You could face fines in the thousands of amounts and your tenants may be at risk of getting carbon dioxide poisoning and other gas-related issues if you do not have one. It's worth mentioning that the cost of the CP12 certificate varies between different companies It's an excellent idea to obtain multiple estimates for your property prior to making an investment.
No1PHD is a reliable service provider for Newport Pagnell. We have a nationwide network of gas engineers. This means that we can dispatch an expert to your home quickly, even if it is an same-day service. This is in stark contrast with sole operator gas engineers, who are usually booked and unable to meet urgent requests.
Landlords are also legally obliged to show their gas safety records and provide it to all tenants following the conclusion of their annual gas safety inspection. This document will contain an inventory of all gas appliances and flues that were examined, as well as an account of the date on which it was completed.
Why do I need a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues in your property are safe to use. This includes ensuring that they undergo regular inspections and that you have an appropriate gas safety certificate. Failure to do so can result in substantial fines or even criminal proceedings.
It is recommended to have your landlord gas safety inspection conducted by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues are operating correctly, are free of issues and safe for your tenants to use.
A valid gas safety certificate from your landlord must be given to your tenants following the annual service and displayed in the property. It must be handed out to current tenants within 28 days of the check and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, you should have them all checked and display the Gas Safety Certificate for each one. This will allow you to keep track of expiry dates for each certificate, and ensure that you renew them before they expire.
Landlords are also responsible for any sublet accommodation they might have. mkgassafety retains certain duties that can't be transferred to a tenant who is renting out the property. However, they should ensure that responsibilities are clearly stated in the contract.
A CP12 gas safety certificate for landlords proves that your gas appliances and flues have been tested and are working properly. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can perform these tests. Therefore, make sure that the engineer you choose is a registered Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants refuse access to the gas safety inspection then you can write them a letter that explains the importance of the checks and the consequences of in preventing access. You can also ask the courts for an entry warrant.
It is also important to remember that it is against law for a landlord or tenant to force entry into their property. This is specified in section 39 of the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998.
How do I get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe engineers will inspect the gas appliances and pipework within your property to obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate. They will then issue a CP12 certificate to confirm whether your property's gas appliances and flues are safe for use. This is a legal requirement for all landlords regardless of whether you have one property or a portfolio of rental properties.
Landlords should also ensure that their tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance, which includes regular checks of gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial for older or unmaintained appliances that are more prone to malfunction or break down. If you are unsure of the frequency you should service your appliances, consult the guidelines provided by the manufacturer to find out what's recommended.
If your property is vacant for a long time then you must be sure to have it inspected for gas safety. This could create an possibility to commit vandalism or crime. Once the inspection is completed you will be issued a new Gas Safety Record that will contain all the findings. The record can be distributed to your tenants to assure them that the property is safe to live in.
If your engineers discover problems with your gas appliances, they'll request permission to shut off the supply. This is a crucial step to avoid any dangers to your tenants. It is essential to adhere to the advice of your engineers as soon as possible to avoid putting anyone in danger.
Sometimes, it is difficult to gain access to a house in order to conduct the gas safety inspection. In these instances you will need to show that you have taken all reasonable steps to fulfill your legal obligations. This includes writing to the tenant and stating that gas safety checks are a mandatory requirement for their safety. You can also request the engineer to come back on a different occasion, or in extreme situations, you may need to seek legal advice.
Can I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I own multiple properties?
As a landlord, you're required to test your flues and gas appliances each year. This is to ensure that they are operating in a safe manner and that your tenants are in an environment that is safe for them to reside. Landlords are also required to give their tenants the gas safety report within 28 days after the date of the check and display it in a prominent place in the property.
The law that governs landlord gas safety is regularly amended to reflect new technologies and the ways in which we use our homes. The latest amendments to Gas Safety Regulations, for instance, provide landlords with the option of renewing their certificates for up to two months before the deadline, without losing any validity. This reduces the chance of not being in compliance and improves maintenance planning.
A gas safety certificate for landlords is only issued by a licensed engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. It is essential to locate an experienced engineer who can complete a thorough inspection of your property and all gas appliances. After the inspection, the engineer will issue a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) that confirms that your home is in compliance with all relevant regulations.
It is a good idea to convince your tenant to let you access their property to perform your annual gas safety inspection. You can write them a letter stating the importance of the checks and what they will be. If they refuse to sign the checks, you could consider serving them with an Section 21 notice or applying to the courts for an injunction.
It is essential to renew your landlord's gas safety certification before the expiration date. In the event of non-compliance, it could result in severe fines, and your equipment could be unsafe for tenants to use.
It is crucial to book your gas safety check in advance if you have multiple properties. This will save you the stress of having your tenants chase you for access, and will ensure that your properties all have an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate.