Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
It is your responsibility as an landlord to provide gas safety certification to your tenants. This should be done at least once a year and before any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers registered with Gas Safe are allowed to conduct a CP12 Inspection. You can verify the credentials of engineers by looking at their Gas Safe ID cards.
What is what is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Gas safety certificates for landlords or CP12 certificates, verify that the landlord's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by an engineer who is registered and safe to use. They are a legal requirement for anyone who rents out property, and must be renewed each year to comply with UK law.
During the inspection, a Gas Safe engineer will inspect all gas appliances, pipework, and flues to check for leaks or unsafe operation. The engineer will also test for carbon monoxide, and make sure that there is adequate ventilation. The inspection typically lasts between 30 minutes to an hour for an average-sized home.
The engineer will inform you of an issue and suggest any necessary repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you fail to make the necessary repairs, you will not be issued with a landlord gas safety certificate.
A landlord gas safety certificate is vital to ensure the health and safety of your tenants. You could face fines in the thousands of amounts and your tenants could be at risk of getting carbon dioxide poisoning, as well as other gas-related issues if do not have one. It's important to note that the cost of the CP12 certificate varies between different providers It's recommended to obtain multiple quotes for your property before making the decision.
No1PHD can be your reliable 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 easily even if you need a same day service. This is in stark contrast to sole-operator gas engineers who are often busy and not able to respond to urgent requests.
Landlords are also legally obliged to keep a record of their gas safety and provide it to all tenants following the completion of their annual gas safety inspection. This document will include a list of all gas appliances and flues that have been checked and the date of completion.
Why should I get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your property are safe for use. This includes ensuring that they are regularly inspected and that you possess an approved landlord gas safety certificate. Failure to comply with this can result in hefty fines, or even criminal proceedings.
It is recommended that you get your landlord's gas safety inspection conducted by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure your gas appliance and flues are operating properly, are free of issues and safe for your tenants to use.
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 on the property. It should be given to current tenants within 28 days after the inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
If you have multiple properties, it is crucial to have each one checked and display a Gas Safety Certificate. This will allow you to keep track of the expiry dates for each certificate and make sure you renew them prior to when they expire.
Landlords are also responsible for any sub-let properties they might have. The landlord who originally owned the property retains duties which cannot be transferred to the person renting the property, they must ensure that the responsibilities are clearly defined in the contractual agreements.
A CP12 landlord gas safety certificate is proof that you have been able to have your gas appliances and flues checked and are in good functioning order. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can perform these tests, so be sure that the engineer you hire has a valid Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants are unable to gain access to the gas safety checks then you can write them a letter explaining the importance of the inspections and the consequences of refusing access. Alternatively, you can also request the courts for a warrant of entry.
It is also important to note that it is against law for a landlord or tenant to forcibly enter their home. This is stated in section 39 of the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998.
How do I get an Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
To obtain a landlord gas safety certificate, a qualified Gas Safe engineer will need to examine your home's gas appliances and pipework. The engineer will issue an CP12 certification that demonstrates the security of your property's flues and gas appliances. This is required for all landlords, irrespective of whether they own only one property or they manage dozens of rental properties.
Landlords should also ensure that tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance, which includes periodic checks on gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial for older or less well-maintained appliances which are more prone to failure or malfunction. Review the manufacturer's guidelines to see the frequency at which your appliances need to be maintained.
If your property has been empty for a long time, you should have it checked for gas safety. This could provide an opportunity to commit vandalism or crime. You will receive a new Gas Safety Record listing all the results after the inspection is completed. It can be handed out to your tenants to assure them that the house is safe to occupy.
The engineers will request permission to cut off your gas supply if they discover any issues with your appliances. This is an essential step to prevent any hazards to your tenants. It's vital that you follow the advice of your engineer as soon as possible to avoid putting anyone in danger.
Sometimes, it's difficult to gain access to a house in order to carry out an inspection of gas safety. In these instances you'll need to prove you've completed all "reasonable steps" to meet your legal obligations, such as writing to tenants and stating that gas checks are necessary to ensure their security. You can ask the engineer to return at a later date or in extreme cases you may need 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 each year. This will ensure that your tenants live in a safe and secure environment and that the appliances are working safely. gas appliance check Newport Pagnell are also required to provide their tenants with a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days after the date of the check and place it in a prominent spot within the property.
The law that governs landlord gas safety is regularly modified to reflect the latest technology and the ways in which we use our homes. The most recent changes to Gas Safety Regulations, for instance, provide landlords with the option of renewing their certificates for up to two months before the deadline without losing any validity period. This decreases the risk of non-compliance and allows better maintenance planning.
Only an accredited Gas Safe Register engineer can issue an official landlord gas safety certificate. Finding a reliable engineer who can inspect your property and all of its gas appliances is vital. Once the inspection is complete they will provide you with a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 which demonstrates that your home is in compliance with the relevant regulations.
If your tenant is unwilling to allow you access to their property for annual gas safety checks, it is worth trying to persuade them to let you in gently. You can send them a letter explaining the importance of the checks and what they will include. If they refuse to 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 crucial to renew your landlord gas safety certification before the expiration date. Failure to do this could lead to hefty fines and can make your appliances unfit for tenants to use.
If you are a landlord who owns multiple properties, it is crucial to keep track of the dates when your gas safety inspections are due to expire. You should also schedule them in advance. This will help you avoid the stress of having search for your tenants to gain access and ensure that all your properties are covered by an active Gas Safety Certificate.