Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you're a landlord then it's your responsibility to provide your tenants with an official gas safety certificate. This should be done every year, and prior to when new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers registered with Gas Safe are allowed to perform a CP12 Inspection. You can check their credentials by checking their Gas Safe ID card.
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Gas certificates for landlords, also known as CP12 certificates or CP12 certificates, confirm that a gas appliance or flue has been examined and are safe to use by an engineer who is registered. These certificates are a legal requirement for anyone renting a property and must be renewed each year to be in compliance with UK laws.
During the inspection an Gas Safe engineer will check the entire property's gas appliances, pipes and flues for any signs of leaks or unsafe operation. They will also test for carbon monoxide, and ensure that there is enough ventilation. The average home inspection takes between 30 and an hour.
In the event of a problem, the engineer will inform you of the issue and suggest any needed repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you fail to make the necessary repairs you will not be issued with an official gas safety certificate for your landlord.
A gas safety certificate for your landlord is an essential element of protecting your tenants' health and well-being. You could be fined hefty amounts and your tenants may be at risk of getting carbon dioxide poisoning or other gas-related issues if you do not have one. It's important to note that the cost of the CP12 certificate can vary between different companies It's an excellent idea to obtain multiple estimates for your property prior to making a decision.
No1PHD is your trusted service provider for Newport Pagnell. We have a nationwide network of gas engineers, which means that we can send an engineer to your location quickly and efficiently, even if you require the same day service. This is a stark contrast to sole operator gas engineers, who are usually booked and unable to meet urgent requests.
The landlords should also display their gas safety records that they must hand over tenants following their annual gas safety inspections. This document will contain a list of all the gas appliances and flues that were checked, as well as the date when it was completed.
What is the reason I must obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that gas appliances or flues in your property are safe to use. This includes ensuring that they undergo regular inspections and that you possess an appropriate gas safety certificate. Failure to comply with this can result in hefty penalties or even criminal charges.
Every 12 months it is recommended that you have a Gas Safe registered engineer perform a landlord gas safety inspection. This will ensure your gas appliance and flues function properly, are free of problems and safe for your tenants to use.
After the annual check after the annual service, you must give a valid gas safety certificate to your tenants and display it in the property. It must be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the annual service, and to new tenants upon beginning their tenure.
If you are a landlord who has multiple properties, you must have them all checked and display the Gas Safety Certificate for each one. This will help keep track of expiry dates for each certificate, and make sure you renew them prior to when they expire.
Landlords are also responsible for any sublet properties they might have. The original landlord retains certain duties that can't be transferred to a tenant who leases the property. However, they should ensure that their responsibilities are clearly defined 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 carry out these tests. Therefore, make sure that the engineer you hire is a registered Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants are refusing to allow access to the gas safety inspections and gas safety checks, you can write a strongly worded letter explaining why it's important and what the repercussions could be should they continue to refuse access. You could also ask the court for a warrant to access.
It is also important to know that it is against the law for a tenant or landlord to force entry into their property. Newport Pagnell gas engineers is stated in section 39 of Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations, 1998.
How do I get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
To obtain a gas safety certificate for your landlord, a qualified Gas Safe engineer will need to inspect your property's gas appliances and pipework. They will then issue a CP12 certificate that will 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 an entire portfolio of rental properties.
Landlords should also ensure that their tenants understand the importance of regular maintenance and annual checks on all gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial in the case of older or less well-maintained appliances, as these can be more prone to failure or malfunction. If you're unsure the frequency you should service your appliances, consult the manufacturer guidelines to find out what's recommended.
It is also important to ensure that you have a gas safety check in the event that your home is not being used for a long period of time, since this could be a prime chance for vandalism or criminal activity. Once the inspection is completed, you will be given a fresh Gas Safety Record that will detail all the results. This can be given to your tenants to assure them that the home is safe for them to live in.
Your engineers will ask permission to shut off your gas supply if they find any problems with your appliances. This is an important step to avoid any risks to your tenants. It is essential to adhere to the recommendations of your engineers as quickly as possible to avoid putting anyone at risk.
Sometimes, it is difficult to gain entry into a building to conduct an inspection for gas safety. In such circumstances you have to prove that you've completed all "reasonable steps" to comply with your legal duties, including writing to tenants and stating that gas safety checks are essential for their security. You can also ask the engineer to visit on a different occasion or, in the most extreme circumstances, you may have to seek legal advice.
Can I get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate for multiple properties?
As a landlord you are required to test your flues and gas appliances every year. This is to ensure that they are working safely and that your tenants are in an environment that is safe for them to live. Landlords must also give their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of the check and place it in a prominent spot in the property.
The law around gas safety for landlords is constantly amended to reflect new technologies and the way we use our homes. For example, the latest modifications 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 period. This reduces the chance of over-compliance and allows for better maintenance planning.
Only a registered Gas Safe Register engineer can issue a landlord gas safety certificate. It is important to find an engineer that is reliable and able to complete a thorough inspection of your home and all gas appliances. After the inspection, the engineer will issue a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) which confirms your property meets all applicable regulations.
If your tenant won't let you access their property to conduct your annual gas safety check it is worthwhile trying to convince them gently. You can write them a letter stating the importance of the checks and what they will be. If they are still refusing, you can consider serving them with a Section 21 notice or applying to the courts for an injunction.
When it comes time to renew your landlord's gas safety certificate it is vital that you do it before the current one expires. Failure to do so can lead to hefty penalties and could render your appliances unsafe for your tenants to use.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, it is crucial to keep on track of when your gas safety checks are scheduled to expire. Gas safety certificate Newport Pagnell should also schedule them in advance. This will allow you to avoid the stress of having hunt down tenants who are unable to access your property and make sure that all of your properties have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.