Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
It is your responsibility as an landlord to provide gas safety certificate to your tenants. This should be done each year and prior to any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers that are registered with Gas Safe can perform a CP12 inspection. You can verify their credentials by looking at their Gas Safe ID card.
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlord gas certificates also known as CP12 certificates or CP12 certificates for short, confirm that a gas appliance or flue has been examined and are safe to use by a registered engineer. These certificates are legal requirements of anyone who rents property and must be renewed each year to be in compliance with UK laws.
During the inspection a Gas Safe engineer will inspect all gas appliances, pipework and flues, looking for signs of leaks or unsafe operation. They will also examine for carbon monoxide and ensure that there is enough ventilation. Newport Pagnell gas safe registered engineer will take between 30 minutes to an hour.
The engineer will inform you of a problem and recommend any necessary repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you do not carry out the recommended repairs then you won't be issued with a landlord gas safety certificate.
A landlord gas safety certificate is an essential element of ensuring your tenants' health and well-being. You could be fined substantial amounts and your tenants may be at risk of carbon dioxide poisoning and other gas-related issues if don't have one. It is important to note that CP12 certificates can vary in price among different companies. Therefore, it is recommended to get several quotes before making a final decision.
No1PHD is your trusted service provider in Newport Pagnell. We have a national network of gas engineers, which means that we can send an engineer to your location quickly and efficiently even if you need an immediate service. This is in stark contrast to sole operator gas engineers who are often booked up and are unable to attend to urgent requests.
The landlords should also show their gas safety certificates and provide them tenants following their annual gas safety checks. The document will contain an inventory of all gas appliances and flues which have been inspected as well as the date on which it was completed.
Why do I require a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances and flues in your property are safe to use. This includes ensuring that they undergo regular inspections and that you are able to obtain an appropriate gas safety certificate. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines or even criminal actions.
Every 12 months it is recommended that you have a Gas Safe registered engineer perform an inspection of your landlord's gas safety. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues are in good and in good condition, free of any problems and safe for use by your tenants.
After the annual check after the annual service, you must give a valid gas safety certificate for your landlord to your tenants and display it in the property. It should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the date of the check and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
If you have multiple properties, it is essential to have each one inspected and displayed the Gas Safety Certificate. This will enable you to keep track of and renew each certificate before it expires.
Landlords are also accountable for any sublet property they may have. The landlord who originally owned the property has certain responsibilities that cannot be transferred to a person who leases 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 working order. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct these tests. Therefore, make sure that the engineer you hire has a valid Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants refuse to allow access to the gas safety inspections You can write a strongly worded letter explaining why it is crucial and what the consequences will be in the event that they continue to restrict access. You can also ask the courts for a warrant of entry.
It is also important to note that it is not legal for landlords to compel access to their property or use force to gain access. This is stated 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 property to obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate. The engineer will issue a CP12 certification that confirms the safety of your property's flues and gas appliances. This is a requirement for all landlords, regardless of whether they manage one property or if they manage a number of rental properties.
Landlords must also ensure that their tenants are aware of regular maintenance, which includes periodic checks on gas appliances and pipework. This is especially crucial for older or unmaintained appliances that are more prone to malfunction or break down. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations to see how often your appliances should be serviced.
If your property has been empty for a long period of time, you should have it checked for gas safety. This could create an opportunity to commit vandalism or crime. After the inspection is completed, you will be given a fresh Gas Safety Record that will contain all the findings. It can be handed out to your tenants to give them peace-of-mind that the property is safe for them to live in.
If your engineers find any problems with your gas appliances, they'll ask permission to cut off the supply. This is a necessary step to prevent any possible hazards or dangers to your tenants, and it's vital that you adhere to their advice as swiftly as you can to avoid putting anyone at risk.
Sometimes, it's difficult to gain access to a property to perform an inspection for gas safety. In these instances, you must show that you've completed all "reasonable steps" to meet your legal obligations, which includes writing to tenants and stating that gas checks are necessary to ensure their safety. You can also request the engineer to visit on another 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 annually. This is to ensure they are working safely and that your tenants have an environment that is safe for them to live. Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with a copy of the gas safety report within 28 days after the date of the check and display it in a prominent spot within the property.
The law around gas safety for landlords is frequently updated to reflect new technology and the ways in which 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 reduces the chance of not complying and allows for better maintenance planning.
Only an accredited Gas Safe Register engineer can issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate. It is crucial to find an experienced engineer who can 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 certifies that your home meets all applicable regulations.
It is worth convincing your tenant to let you access their property for your annual gas safety inspection. You can write a letter to your tenant explaining the importance of these checks and what will be involved. If they do not comply, you can issue them with a Section 21 Notice or apply to the courts for an injunction for a short period of time.
It is important to renew your landlord's gas safety certificate prior to when the expiration date. In the event of not doing so, it could result in costly fines and may render your appliances unsafe for your tenants to use.
It is essential to schedule your gas safety inspection in advance if you own multiple properties. This will eliminate the stress of having your tenants hound you for access, and also ensure that all your properties have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.