Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
It is your obligation as an owner to provide a gas safety certificate to your tenants. This should be done each year, and prior to when new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers who are registered with Gas Safe can perform a CP12 inspection. You can verify the credentials of engineers by examining their Gas Safe ID cards.
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Landlord gas certificates also referred to as CP12 certificates or CP12 certificates for short, confirm that the gas appliance and flue have been tested and are safe to use by an engineer who is registered. They are legal requirements for those who lease out property, and must be renewed annually in order to be in compliance with UK law.
During the inspection an Gas Safe engineer will check all of the property's gas appliances, pipework and flues for signs of leaks or unsafe operation. They will also examine for carbon monoxide and ensure that there is adequate ventilation. The inspection typically takes between 30 minutes and an hour for an average-sized home.
In the event of a problem the engineer will notify you of the problem and suggest any needed repairs to ensure your tenants' safety. If you don't complete the repair recommended, you will be denied the landlord's gas safety certification.
A landlord gas safety certification is crucial to ensure the health and safety of your tenants. You could be fined substantial amounts and your tenants may be at risk of suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning and other gas-related problems if you do not have one. It is important to remember that CP12 certificates may differ in cost between different providers. It is recommended to get several quotes before making a final decision.
No1PHD is your trusted service provider for Newport Pagnell. We have a national network of gas engineers. This means that we can send an expert to your property quickly even if it's an same-day service. This is in stark contrast with sole operator gas engineers who are often over booked and unable to respond 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. The document will include a list of all the gas appliances and flues that were examined, as well as the date when it was completed.
Why do I need a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
As the landlord you are responsible to ensure that gas appliances or flues in your property are safe to use. This includes making sure that they undergo regular inspections and that you are able to obtain an approved landlord gas safety certificate. Newport Pagnell gas engineer could result in large fines or criminal actions.
It is recommended to have your landlord's gas safety inspection conducted by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues work correctly, are free of issues and safe for your tenants to use.
After the annual service, you must provide an official landlord gas safety certification to your tenants and display it in the property. It should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the date of the check and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, you should 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 ensure that you renew them before they run out.
Landlords must also be responsible for any sublet property they may have. While the original landlord retains the responsibilities that are not transferable to the person renting the property, they must ensure that clear responsibilities are allocated in contractual arrangements.
A CP12 gas safety certificate for landlords proves that your gas appliances and flues have been tested and function correctly. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct these tests, so be sure that the person you choose to hire is a registered Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants do not allow access to the gas safety checks, you can write a strong letter explaining why it's crucial and what the consequences could be if they continue to block access. Alternatively, you can also ask the courts for a warrant of entry.
It is also important to note that it is not legal for a landlord to force access to their property, or to 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 obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate. They will then issue a CP12 certificate that will confirm whether your property's gas appliances and flues are safe to use. This is a legal requirement for all landlords, regardless of whether you own one property or a portfolio of rental properties.
Landlords also need to ensure that their tenants understand the importance of regular maintenance and annual inspections of all gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial when it comes to older or less well-maintained appliances because they are more susceptible to malfunctioning or breaking down. Check the manufacturer's guidelines to find out the frequency at which your appliances need to be maintained.
It is also important to ensure that you have an inspection for gas safety in the event that your home is not being used for long periods of time, as this could be a prime opportunity for vandalism or criminal activity. Once the inspection is complete, you will be given a fresh Gas Safety Record that will contain all the findings. The record can be distributed to your tenants to ensure that the house is safe for them to live in.
If your engineers discover any issues with your gas appliances, they'll request permission to cut off the supply. This is a necessary step to prevent any possible dangers or risks to your tenants, and it's important to adhere to their advice as swiftly as possible in order to prevent putting anyone at risk.
Sometimes, it's difficult to gain entry into a home to conduct an inspection of gas safety. In these instances you must show that you have taken all 'reasonable steps' to comply with your legal obligations. This includes writing to the tenant, and explaining that gas safety checks are a mandatory necessity for their own safety. You can request the engineer to return at a later date, or in extreme cases, you may have to seek legal advice.
Do I qualify for a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I own multiple properties?
As a landlord as a landlord, you are required by law to have your flues and gas appliances checked annually. This is to ensure they are operating in a safe manner and that your tenants are in an environment that is safe for them to live. Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with an original copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days after the date of the check and display it in a prominent location in the property.
The law governing landlord gas safety is updated frequently to reflect the most recent technologies and the ways we use our homes. The latest amendments to Gas Safety Regulations, for example, allow landlords the option to renew their certificates up to two month before the deadline without losing any validity. This change reduces the risk of not complying and allows for better maintenance planning.
Only an accredited Gas Safe Register engineer can issue an official landlord gas safety certificate. It is essential to locate an engineer that is reliable and able to carry out a full inspection of your property 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 refuses to let you access their property for 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 include. If they refuse, you can consider serving them with a Section 21 notice or applying to the courts for an injunction.
It is crucial to renew your landlord gas safety certification before the expiration date of your current certificate. Failure to do so could result in significant fines, and your equipment may become unsafe for tenants to use.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, it is essential to keep on track of when your gas safety inspections are due to expire and schedule them in advance. This will save you the hassle of having your tenants try to get access, and also ensure that your properties all have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.