Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you're a landlord, then it is your responsibility to give your tenants a gas safety certificate. This should be done every year and before any new tenants move into.
Only engineers registered with Gas Safe are allowed to perform a CP12 Inspection. You can check the credentials of engineers by looking at their Gas Safe ID cards.
What is what is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Landlord gas safety certificates, or CP12 certificates, confirm that the gas appliances of a landlord's and flues have been checked 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 every year in order to be in compliance with UK law.
During the inspection a Gas Safe engineer will inspect the gas appliances, pipes and flues, looking for leaks or unsafe operation. They will also test for carbon monoxide, and ensure that there is enough ventilation. The inspection typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour for a typical-sized home.
The engineer will inform you of a problem and recommend any repairs necessary to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you do not complete the recommended repairs, you will not be issued with an official gas safety certificate for your landlord.
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an essential part of making sure your tenants' safety and health. You could face fines in the thousands of amounts and your tenants may be at risk of getting carbon dioxide poisoning, as well as other gas-related issues if you do not have one. It is important to remember that CP12 certificates may vary in price between different companies. Therefore, it is a wise idea to obtain multiple quotes prior to making a decision.
No1PHD is your trusted service provider in Newport Pagnell. We have a nationwide network of gas engineers. This means that we can dispatch an expert to your location quickly even if it's an same-day service. This is in stark contrast to sole-operator gas technicians who are often busy and unable to respond quickly to urgent requests.
The landlords should also show their gas safety certificates, which they should give tenants after each year's gas safety checks. The document will contain a list of all gas appliances and flues which were inspected as well as the date of completion.
Why do I need to obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As an owner as a landlord, you are required to ensure that any gas appliances or flues in your property are safe to use. It is your obligation as a landlord to ensure that any flues or gas appliances in your home are safe to use. Failure to adhere could result in large fines or criminal proceedings.
Every 12 months, it is recommended that a Gas Safe registered engineer perform a landlord gas safety inspection. 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 inspection and displayed in the property. It must be handed out to tenants within 28 days after the annual service and to new tenants at the time they start their tenure.
If you are a landlord who has multiple properties, you should check them all and display the Gas Safety Certificate for each one. This will allow you to keep track of expiry dates for each certificate, and make sure you renew them prior to when they expire.
Landlords are also accountable for any sublet property they may own. The original landlord retains certain obligations that cannot be transferred to someone who leases the property. However, they should ensure that responsibilities are clearly stated in the contract.
gas engineer Newport Pagnell for landlords proves that your gas appliances and flues have been tested and are working correctly. 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 refuse to allow access for the gas safety checks and gas safety checks, you could write a clearly written letter explaining why it is important and what the consequences could be in the event that they continue to restrict access. You may also request the court for a warrant to enter.
It is also important to note that it is illegal for landlords to compel entry to their property or use force to gain access. This is outlined in section 39 of the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998.
How do I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe engineers will inspect the gas appliances and pipework inside your home to get a landlord's gas safety certificate. They will then issue a CP12 certificate which will verify that your property's gas appliances and flues are safe for use. This is required for all landlords, irrespective of whether they own a single property or if they manage multiple rental properties.
Landlords must also make sure that their tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance and annual checks on all gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial in the case of older or poorly-maintained appliances, as these can be more prone to breakdown or malfunction. If you're not sure how often you should service your appliances, check the guidelines of the manufacturer to find out what's recommended.
If your property is vacant for a prolonged period, you should check it for gas safety. This could be an opportunity for criminal activity or vandalism. Once the inspection is completed, you will be given a fresh Gas Safety Record that will detail all the results. The record can be distributed to your tenants to give them peace-of-mind that the house is safe for them to live in.
If your engineers find any issues with your gas appliances, they will request permission to disconnect 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 quickly as you can, to ensure that you don't put anyone in danger.
Sometimes, it is difficult to gain access to a property to perform an inspection of gas safety. In such cases, you must show that you've taken all "reasonable steps" to fulfill your legal obligations, which includes writing to tenants and stating that gas safety checks are essential for their safety. You can ask the engineer to visit at a later date or in the case of extreme circumstances, you may have to seek legal advice.
Can I get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I own multiple properties?
As a landlord you are required to test your gas appliances and flues annually. Newport Pagnell gas safe registered engineer will ensure that your tenants are living in a safe and secure environment and that the appliances are working safely. Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days after the date of the check and place it in a prominent place within the property.
The law governing gas safety for landlords is frequently amended to reflect new technologies and the ways in which we use our homes. For instance, the most recent modifications to the Gas Safety Regulations allow landlords to renew their gas safety certificates up to two months prior to the date of expiration without losing any of the validity period. This helps to reduce the risk of over compliance and enables improved maintenance planning.
A landlord gas safety certificate is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. Finding a reputable engineer to examine your home and all its gas appliances is vital. After the inspection the engineer will issue a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) which confirms your property meets all relevant regulations.
It is worth persuading your tenant to let you access their property to perform your annual gas safety check. You can write an email to your tenant stating the importance of these checks as well as what will be expected. If they are unable 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 crucial that you do it before the expiration date of your current certificate. Failure to do this could result in costly fines and can make your appliances unsafe for tenants to use.
It is important that you schedule your gas safety inspection in advance if you own multiple properties. This will save you the hassle of having to hunt down tenants who are unable to access your property and ensure that all your properties have an active Gas Safety Certificate.