Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you're a landlord, it is your obligation to provide your tenants with a gas safety certificate. This should be done each year and prior to any new tenants move into.
Only engineers registered with Gas Safe are allowed to perform an CP12 Inspection. You can verify the credentials of engineers by looking at their Gas Safe ID cards.
What is What is Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Gas certificates for landlords, also known as CP12 certificates or CP12 certificates they confirm that a gas appliance and flue have been examined and are safe for use by a registered engineer. They are legal requirements for any landlord who rents out property, and must be renewed each year to comply with UK law.
During the inspection, a Gas Safe engineer will check all of the property's gas appliances, pipework and flues for any signs of leaks or unsafe operation. The engineer will also look for carbon monoxide and make sure that there is adequate ventilation. The average home inspection will take between 30 and an hour.
If there is a problem the engineer will inform you of the problem and recommend any required repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you fail to make the necessary repairs, you will be denied a landlord's gas safety certificate.
A landlord gas safety certificate is an essential element of protecting your tenants' safety and health. You could face fines in the thousands of amounts and your tenants could be at risk of carbon dioxide poisoning or other gas-related problems if you do not have one. It is important to note that CP12 certificates may differ in price between different providers. Therefore, it is a wise idea to obtain several quotes before making a decision.
No1PHD is your trusted service provider in Newport Pagnell. gas safe Newport Pagnell have a national network of gas engineers. This means that we can dispatch an expert to your location quickly, even if it is an emergency service. This is in stark contrast with sole-operator gas engineers who are often busy and not able to respond urgent requests.
Landlords must also keep a record of their gas safety and provide them tenants after each year's gas safety inspections. This document will include a list of all the gas appliances and flues that have been examined, as well as an account of the date when it was completed.
Why do I need to get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As an owner as a landlord, you are required to ensure that any gas appliances or flues that are located in your property are safe to use. It is your responsibility as a landlord to ensure that any flues or gas appliances that are located in your home are safe to use. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties or even criminal charges.
It is recommended that you get your landlord's gas safety check carried out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure your gas appliance and flues are operating properly, are free of issues and safe for your tenants to use.
A valid landlord gas safety certificate must be given to your tenants following the annual inspection and displayed in the property. It should be given to tenants within 28 days following the annual service and also to new tenants upon beginning their tenure.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, you must check them all and display the Gas Safety Certificate for each one. This will let you keep track of and renew each certificate prior to when it expires.
Landlords must also be responsible for any sublet property they may own. The original landlord retains certain responsibilities that cannot be transferred to a person who leases out the property. However, they must ensure that the responsibilities are clearly stated in the lease.
A CP12 landlord gas safety certificate proves you have had your gas appliances and flues checked and are in good functioning order. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct these tests. Therefore, make sure that the engineer you choose has a valid Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants are refusing to allow access to the gas safety checks, you can write a strong letter explaining why it is important and what the consequences could be in the event that they continue to restrict access. You can also ask the court for a warrant for entry.
It is also important to remember that it is against law for a tenant or landlord to restrict access to their property. This is stated in section 39 of the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998.
How do I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
To obtain a gas safety certificate for a landlord, a qualified Gas Safe engineer will need to examine your property's gas appliances and pipework. They will issue an CP12 certificate which will verify whether your property's gas appliances and flues are safe for use. This is a requirement for all landlords regardless of whether they have a single property or if they manage a number of rental properties.
Landlords must also make sure that tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance and annual inspections of all gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial for older or poorly maintained appliances that are more prone to fail or malfunction. Check the manufacturer's guidelines to find out how often your appliances should be serviced.
If your property is vacant for a prolonged period then you must have it checked for gas safety. This could create an possibility for vandalism or criminal activity. You will receive a brand new Gas Safety Record listing all the results once the inspection is completed. The report can be distributed to your tenants in order to provide assurance that the property is safe to be occupied.
If your engineers discover issues with your gas appliances, they will request permission to disconnect the supply. This is an essential step to avoid any potential risks to your tenants. It's vital that you follow the advice of your engineer as soon as possible to avoid putting anyone at risk.
Sometimes, it's difficult to gain access to a home to conduct an inspection of gas safety. In these instances, you will need to demonstrate that you've completed all'reasonable steps' to fulfill your legal obligations, which includes writing to the tenant, and explaining that gas safety checks are a required requirement for their own safety. You may also request the engineer to visit on another occasion or, in the most extreme circumstances, you may have to seek legal advice.
Do I qualify for a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I have multiple properties?
As a landlord, you are required to test your flues and gas appliances annually. This is to ensure they are working safely and that your tenants have a safe environment in which to live. Landlords are required to provide an original copy of their gas safety report to tenants within 28 days after the check. They are also required to keep it visible in the property.
The law governing the safety of landlords in the gas industry is reviewed frequently to reflect the latest technologies and how we use our homes. For example, the latest amendments to the Gas Safety Regulations allow landlords to renew their gas safety certificates up to two months before the date of expiration without losing any validity time. This change reduces the risk of non-compliance and allows better maintenance planning.
Only a registered Gas Safe Register engineer can issue an official landlord gas safety certificate. It is essential to locate an engineer that is reliable and able to carry out a full inspection of your home and all gas appliances. After the inspection the engineer will issue you a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) which confirms your property meets all regulations applicable to it.
It is worth persuading your tenant to allow you to access their property for your annual gas safety check. You can send a letter to your tenant outlining the importance of these checks and what will be expected. If they are still refusing, you can consider serving them with a Section 21 notice or applying to the courts for an injunction.
It is important to renew your landlord's gas safety certificate prior to when the current certificate expires. Failure to do so can result in costly fines and can make your appliances unsafe for tenants to use.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, it is essential to keep on track of when your gas safety checks are due to expire and book them in advance. This will eliminate the hassle of having your tenants try to get access, and also ensure that all your properties have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.