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 annually and prior to any new tenants move in.
Only registered engineers with Gas Safe are allowed to conduct a CP12 Inspection. You can verify their credentials by looking at 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 for short they confirm that the gas appliance and flue have been tested and are safe to use by a registered engineer. They are legally required for anyone who rents out their property and must be renewed annually to ensure compliance with UK law.
During the inspection during the inspection, a 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 check for carbon monoxide and make sure there is adequate ventilation. The typical home inspection lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.
The engineer will notify you if there is a problem and recommend any repairs necessary to ensure the security of your tenants. If you don't complete the repair recommended you will be refused a landlord's gas safety certificate.
A landlord gas safety certification is essential to ensure the health and safety of your tenants. You could be fined hefty amounts and your tenants may be at risk of carbon dioxide poisoning, as well as other gas-related problems if you don't have one. It is worth mentioning that CP12 certificates can vary in price among different companies. It is an excellent idea to request several quotes before making a final decision.
No1PHD is a reliable service provider in Newport Pagnell. We have an extensive network of gas engineers. This means that we are able to send an expert to your home quickly even if it's an same-day service. This is in stark contrast with sole-operator gas technicians who are often busy and not able to respond quickly to urgent requests.
Landlords are also legally obliged to display their gas safety record, which should be given to tenants at the conclusion of their annual gas safety checks. This document will include the list of all gas appliances and flues that have been checked along with the date it was completed.
Why should I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that all gas appliances and flues in your property are safe to use. It is your responsibility as a landlord to ensure that any flues or gas appliances in your home are safe to use. Infractions could result in heavy fines or even criminal proceedings.
Every 12 months, it is recommended that an Gas Safe registered engineer perform a landlord gas safety inspection. This will ensure your gas appliance and flues work correctly, are free of issues and safe for your tenants to use.
After the annual check after the annual service, you must give an official gas safety certificate for your landlord to your tenants and display it in the property. It should be given to tenants within 28 days following the annual service and also to new tenants when they begin their lease.
If you are a landlord who has multiple properties, you should check them all and display the Gas Safety Certificate for each one. This will allow you to keep track and renew each certificate prior to when it expires.
Landlords also have to take responsibility for any sub-let accommodation that they may own. While the landlord in charge has responsibilities that are not transferable to the person letting out the property, they must ensure that the responsibilities are clearly assigned in contractual agreements.
A CP12 gas safety certificate for landlords proves that your gas appliances and flues have been tested and work correctly. Only annual gas safety check Newport Pagnell registered engineers can perform these tests, so be sure that the person you choose to hire has a valid Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants refuse access to the gas safety inspection then you can write them a letter stating the importance of the check and the consequences if they keep refusing access. You can also ask the court for a warrant to enter.
It is also important to note that it is against law for a tenant or landlord to forcibly enter their home. This is specified 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 inside your home to get a landlord's gas safety certificate. The engineer will issue a CP12 certification that demonstrates the safety of your property's pipes and gas appliances. This is legally required for all landlords regardless of whether you have one property or an entire portfolio of rental properties.
Landlords also need to ensure that their tenants understand the importance of regular maintenance and annual checks of all gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial for older or poorly maintained appliances that are more likely to fail or malfunction. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations to determine how often your appliances should be maintained.
If your property has been empty for a long time, you should check it for gas safety. This could provide an opportunity to commit vandalism or crime. Once the inspection is complete, you will be given a fresh Gas Safety Record that will detail all the results. This can then be provided to your tenants in order to give them peace of mind knowing that the property is safe to be occupied.
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 avoid any potential dangers to your tenants. It is crucial to follow the advice of your engineer as soon as you can, to ensure that you don't put anyone in danger.
Occasionally, it can be difficult to gain access to a house in order to conduct an inspection of gas safety. In such cases, you must show that you've completed all "reasonable steps" to comply with your legal obligations, such as writing to tenants and explaining that gas safety checks are essential to ensure their security. You may also request the engineer to visit on another occasion or, in the most extreme situations, you may need to seek legal advice.
Can I get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I own multiple properties?
As a landlord, you are legally required to have your flues and gas appliances examined every year. This is to ensure they are operating safely and that your tenants are in an environment that is safe for them to reside. Landlords are also required to give their tenants an original copy of the gas safety report within 28 days of the date of the inspection and place it in a prominent spot in the property.
The law that governs landlord gas safety is updated regularly to reflect the latest technologies and how we use our homes. The most recent changes to Gas Safety Regulations, for example, allow landlords the option of renewing their certificates up to two months before the expiration date without losing any validity. This helps to reduce the chance of not being in 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 a reliable engineer who can complete a thorough inspection of your home and all gas appliances. After the inspection is complete they will issue you with the Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 which demonstrates that your home is in compliance with the relevant regulations.
If your tenant won't allow you to access their property to conduct your annual gas safety inspections It is worth trying to persuade them to allow you access. You can send them a letter stating the importance of the checks and what they be. If they are unable to comply, you may serve them with a Section 21 Notice or apply to the courts for a temporary injunction.
It is crucial to renew your landlord gas safety certification before the expiration date of your current certificate. In the event of non-compliance, it could result in significant fines, and your appliances may become unsafe for tenants to use.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, it is crucial to keep track of the dates when your gas safety checks are due to expire and schedule them in advance. This will save you the hassle of having tenants hound you for access, and also ensure that your properties all have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.