Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you are a landlord, it is your obligation to provide your tenants with an official gas safety certificate. cool training should be done at least once a year and before any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers who are registered with Gas Safe are allowed to conduct a CP12 Inspection. You can check their credentials by checking their Gas Safe ID card.
What is what is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Landlord gas certificates, also known as CP12 certificates or CP12 certificates for short, confirm that the gas appliance or flue has been inspected and are safe for use by an engineer who is registered. They are legal requirements for those who lease out 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 check for signs of leaks or unsafe operations. They will also test for carbon monoxide, and make sure there is sufficient ventilation. The average home inspection will take between 30 and an hour.
The engineer will notify you of a problem and recommend any necessary repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you do not make the necessary repairs then you won't be issued with the gas safety certificate for landlords.
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 suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning, as well as other gas-related issues if don't have one. It is important to note that the cost of the CP12 certificate varies between different companies, so it is recommended to obtain multiple quotes for your property before making the decision.
No1PHD can be your reliable service provider for Newport Pagnell. We have a nationwide network of gas engineers, which means that we can send an engineer to your property quickly and efficiently even if you require a same day service. This is in stark contrast with sole-operator gas engineers who are often overwhelmed and unable to respond quickly to urgent requests.
Landlords are also required to display their gas safety records that they must hand over tenants following their annual gas safety inspections. This document will include a list of all the gas appliances and flues which have been checked, as well as an account of the date when it was completed.
Why do I need to obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As the landlord you are responsible to ensure that all gas appliances or flues in your property are safe to use. It is your responsibility as a landlord to make sure that any gas appliances or flues within your property are safe to use. Failure to do so can result in significant fines, or even criminal proceedings.
Every 12 months, it is recommended that you have a Gas Safe registered engineer perform a landlord gas safety inspection. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues are in good and in good condition, free of any defects and are safe to use by your tenants.
A valid gas safety certificate from your landlord is required to be handed out to your tenants following the annual inspection and displayed in the property. It should be given to current tenants within 28 days after the inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
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 allow you to keep track of expiry dates for each certificate and ensure that you renew them prior to when they expire.
Landlords are also responsible for any sub-let properties they might have. While the original landlord retains duties that cannot be transferred to the person leasing the property, they have to ensure that responsibilities are clearly defined in the contractual agreements.
A CP12 gas safety certificate for landlords proves that your gas appliances and flues have been tested and work properly. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct these tests. Therefore, make sure that the engineer you hire is a registered Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants refuse to allow access for the gas safety checks, you can write a strongly worded letter explaining why it's crucial and what the consequences are should they continue to refuse access. You could also ask the court for a warrant to access.
It is also important to note that it is against the 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 get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe engineers will inspect the gas appliances and pipework within your property to get a landlord's gas security certificate. The engineer will issue an CP12 certificate that confirms the safety of your property's pipes and gas appliances. This is an obligation for all landlords regardless of whether you own one property or an entire portfolio of rental properties.
Landlords must also ensure that tenants are aware of regular maintenance, including regular checks of gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly important in the case of older or less well-maintained appliances, as these can be more prone to breakdown or malfunction. If you're unsure the frequency you should service your appliances, check the manufacturer guidelines to find out what's recommended.
It is also important to ensure that you have a gas safety check if your property is empty for long periods of time, since this could be a prime opportunity for vandalism or criminal activity. Once the inspection is completed you will be issued a new Gas Safety Record that will detail all the results. This can be given to your tenants to assure them that the house is safe to occupy.
If your engineers discover any issues with your gas appliances, they will request permission to disconnect the supply. This is an important step to avoid any risks to your tenants. It is crucial to follow the advice of your engineers as soon as you can, to ensure that you don't put anyone in danger.
Sometimes, it is difficult to gain access to a home in order to conduct an inspection of gas safety. In such cases you must demonstrate that you've taken all 'reasonable steps' to meet your legal obligations, including writing to the tenant and explaining that gas safety checks are a required requirement for their security. You can also request the engineer to visit on another occasion, or in extreme circumstances, you may have to seek legal advice.
Can I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate for multiple properties?
As a landlord, you're required to test your gas appliances and flues annually. This will ensure that your tenants live in a safe environment and that your appliances are operating safely. Landlords must also provide their tenants with an original copy of the gas safety report within 28 days of the check and place it in a prominent location within the property.
The law governing gas safety for landlords is revised regularly to reflect the latest technology and the way 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 deadline date without losing any validity period. This reduces the chance of not being in compliance and improves maintenance planning.
Only a registered Gas Safe Register engineer can issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate. Finding a reputable engineer to inspect your property and all of its gas appliances is vital. After the inspection, the engineer will issue an Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) that confirms that your home is in compliance with all relevant regulations.
It is worth persuading your tenant to let you access their property for your annual gas safety inspection. You can send an email to your tenant explaining the importance of these checks as well as what is involved. If they are unable to comply, you may serve them with a Section 21 Notice or apply to the courts for an interim injunction.
It is essential to renew your landlord gas safety certification before the expiration date of your current certificate. Failure to do this could result in hefty penalties and could render your appliances unsafe for your tenants to use.
It is important that you make sure to schedule your gas safety check in advance if you have multiple properties. This will save you the hassle of having tenants hound you for access, and also ensure that your properties all have an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate.