Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
It is your responsibility as an owner to provide a gas safety certificate to your tenants. This should be done each year and before any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers registered with Gas Safe are allowed to perform an CP12 Inspection. You can verify their credentials by checking their Gas Safe ID card.
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlord gas safety certificates, or CP12 certificates, confirm that the gas appliances of a landlord's and flues have been inspected by an engineer who is registered and safe to use. They are legal requirements for those who lease out their property, and must be renewed each year to ensure compliance with UK law.
During the inspection, a Gas Safe engineer will inspect all gas appliances, pipework and flues to look for leaks or unsafe operation. They will also check for carbon monoxide and make sure there is enough ventilation. The inspection usually takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour for a home of a similar size.
The engineer will notify you if there is an issue and will recommend any necessary repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you fail to carry out the recommended repairs then you won't be issued with the gas safety certificate for landlords.
A landlord gas safety certificate is vital to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. You could face fines in the thousands of amounts and your tenants may be at risk of suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning and other gas-related problems if you don't have one. It is important to remember that CP12 certificates can vary in cost between different providers. It is a wise idea to obtain multiple quotes before making a final decision.
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The landlords should also show their gas safety certificates that they must hand over tenants after each year's gas safety checks. This document will contain a list of all the gas appliances and flues which have been examined, as well as the date on which it was completed.
Why should I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that gas appliances or flues within your property are safe to use. This includes ensuring that they undergo regular inspections and that you possess an approved landlord gas safety certificate. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties or even criminal charges.
It is recommended that you have your landlord gas safety checks carried out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues work properly, are free of defects and safe for your tenants to use.
After the annual service You must present an official landlord gas safety certification to your tenants and post it in the property. It should be given to tenants within 28 days of the annual service and to new tenants when they begin their lease.
If you are a landlord who has multiple properties, you should be sure to have them all checked 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 are also responsible for any sublet property they may have. The landlord who originally owned the property retains duties that cannot be transferred to the person who is leasing the property, they must ensure that responsibilities are clearly assigned in contractual agreements.
A CP12 gas safety certificate for landlords proves that your gas appliances and flues have been tested and are working correctly. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to conduct these tests. Make sure the engineer you hire holds an active Gas Safe ID Card.
If your tenants are unable to gain access to the gas safety checks then you can write them a letter that explains the importance of the check and the consequences if they keep in preventing access. You can also ask the court for a warrant to access.
It is also worth noting that it is not legal for landlords to compel access to their property or to use force to gain access. This is outlined in section 39 of 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 then issue an CP12 certificate which will verify whether your property's gas appliances and flues are safe to use. This is an obligation for all landlords regardless of whether you have one property or an entire portfolio of rental properties.
Landlords should also ensure that their tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance, including annual checks on gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly important in the case of older appliances that are not maintained properly because they are more susceptible to malfunctioning or breaking down. If you're unsure the frequency of servicing your appliances, check the guidelines of the manufacturer to determine what is recommended.
It is also important to ensure that you conduct a gas safety check if your property is empty for extended periods of time, as this could be an possibility for vandalism or other criminal activity. You will be issued a new Gas Safety Record listing all the results after the inspection is completed. The report can be distributed to your tenants in order to give them peace of mind that the property is safe for occupation.
If your engineers discover any problems with your gas appliances, they will request permission to shut off the supply. This is a crucial step to avoid any potential hazards to your tenants. It is essential to adhere to the advice of your engineer as soon as possible to avoid putting anyone at risk.
Sometimes, it's difficult to gain access to a property in order to conduct the gas safety inspection. In these instances you will need to show that you have taken all reasonable steps to meet your legal obligations, which includes writing to the tenant and explaining that gas safety checks are a required requirement for their own safety. You can ask the engineer to return at a later time or in the case of extreme circumstances you may need to seek legal advice.
Do I qualify for a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I have multiple properties?
As a landlord, you are legally required to have your flues and gas appliances tested annually. This is to ensure that they are operating safely and that your tenants have the safety of their homes to reside. Landlords are required to provide an original copy of their gas safety report to tenants within 28 days of the check. They are also required to keep it visible in the property.
The law around gas safety for landlords is frequently updated to reflect new technology and the ways we use our homes. For example, the latest amendments to the Gas Safety Regulations allow landlords to renew their gas safety certificates for up to two months prior to the date of expiration without losing any of the validity time. This change reduces the risk of non-compliance and allows better maintenance planning.
A landlord gas safety certificate is only issued by a licensed engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. It is crucial to find an engineer that is reliable and able to 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 regulations applicable to it.
It is worth convincing your tenant to allow you to access their home to conduct the annual gas safety checks. You can send an email to your tenant outlining the importance of these checks as well as what is involved. If they refuse to comply, you can serve them with a Section 21 Notice or apply to the courts for an injunction for a short period of time.
When it comes time to renew your landlord gas safety certificate it is vital that you do it before the expiration date of your current certificate. Failure to comply can result in heavy penalties, and your appliances could be unsafe for tenants to use.
If you are a landlord who owns multiple properties, it is important to keep on track of when your gas safety checks are scheduled to expire and book them in advance. This will help you avoid the stress of having hunt down tenants who are unable to access your property and ensure that all your properties are covered by an active Gas Safety Certificate.