Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
It is your obligation as a landlord to provide a gas safety certificate to your tenants. This should be done each year and before any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers who are registered with Gas Safe can perform a CP12 inspection. clicking here can check their credentials by checking their Gas Safe ID card.
What is What is Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Landlord gas certificates also known as CP12 certificates or CP12 certificates certificates, prove that the gas appliance or flue has been tested and are safe to use by a registered engineer. These certificates are a legal requirement for anyone renting a property and must be renewed every year to comply with UK laws.
During the inspection an Gas Safe engineer will check all of the property's gas appliances, pipework and flues for evidence of leaks or unsafe operation. They will also examine for carbon monoxide and ensure that there is sufficient ventilation. The typical home inspection lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.
The engineer will inform you if there is an issue and suggest any repairs necessary to ensure the security of your tenants. If Newport Pagnell gas engineer fail to complete the repair recommended then you will not be able to obtain the gas safety certificate of a landlord.
A landlord gas safety certificate is crucial to ensure the health and well-being of your tenants. You could face fines in the thousands of amounts and your tenants may be at risk of getting carbon dioxide poisoning, as well as other gas-related issues if you don't have one. It's worth mentioning that the cost of a CP12 certificate can vary between different companies It's recommended to obtain multiple estimates for your property prior to making the decision.
If you're looking for an experienced service provider in Newport Pagnell, No1PHD is the right choice for you. We have an extensive network of gas engineers. This means that we can send an expert to your home quickly even if it's a same-day service. This is in stark contrast with sole operator gas engineers, who are often booked up and are unable to attend to urgent requests.
Landlords are also legally required to keep a record of their gas safety, which should be given to all tenants upon the conclusion of their annual gas safety inspection. This document will contain a list of all the gas appliances and flues that were examined, as well as a record of the date when it was completed.
Why do I need to obtain 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. It is your responsibility as a landlord to ensure that any gas appliances or flues in your home are safe to use. Failure to do so can result in substantial penalties or even criminal charges.
Every 12 months it is recommended that a Gas Safe registered engineer perform a landlord gas safety inspection. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues are in good working order, free from defects and are safe to use by your tenants.
Full Review must be provided to your tenants following the annual service and displayed in the property. It must be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the annual service and also to new tenants upon beginning their tenure.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, you should be sure to have them all checked and display the Gas Safety Certificate for each one. This will let you keep track of and renew each certificate prior to when it expires.
Landlords also have to take responsibility for any sub-let properties they may own. The original landlord retains certain duties that can't be transferred to a person who leases out the property. However, they should ensure that responsibilities are clearly defined in the lease.
A CP12 gas safety certificate for landlords shows that your gas appliances and flues have been tested and function properly. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct these tests. Therefore, make sure that the engineer you choose has a valid Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants refuse access to the gas safety inspection, you can send them a letter explaining the importance of the check and the consequences if they keep blocking access. You can also ask the courts for a warrant of entry.
It is also important to note that it is illegal for a landlord to compel access to their property, or to 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?
To obtain a landlord gas safety certificate, a qualified Gas Safe engineer will need to inspect your property's gas appliances and pipework. They will then issue a CP12 certificate to confirm the gas appliances and flues are safe to use. This is a requirement for all landlords regardless of whether they manage a single property or if they manage dozens of rental properties.
Landlords must also make sure that their tenants understand the importance of regular maintenance and annual inspections of all gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly important when it comes to older appliances that are not maintained properly, as these can be more susceptible to malfunctioning or breaking down. Review the manufacturer's guidelines to see how often your appliances should be serviced.
It is important to make sure that you conduct an inspection of your gas safety if your property is empty for a long period of time, as this could be a prime possibility for vandalism or other criminal activities. You will be issued a new Gas Safety Record listing all the results after the inspection is completed. This can then be provided to your tenants to provide assurance that the property is safe for occupation.
If your engineers discover issues with your gas appliances, they'll request permission to disconnect the supply. This is an important step to avoid any hazards to your tenants. It's vital that you adhere to the recommendations of your engineers as soon as possible to avoid putting anyone in danger.
Sometimes, it's difficult to gain access into a building to conduct an inspection of gas safety. In these instances, you must show that you've taken all "reasonable steps" to meet your legal obligations, which includes writing to tenants and stating that gas checks are necessary for their security. You can also request the engineer to visit on another occasion, or in extreme situations, 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 gas appliances and flues every year. This is to ensure that they are working safely and that your tenants have the safety of their homes to reside. Landlords must provide a copy of their gas safety report to tenants within 28 days of the check. They are also required to place it in a prominent location within the property.
The law governing landlord gas safety is regularly amended to reflect new technologies and the way we use our homes. The most recent changes to Gas Safety Regulations, for instance, give landlords the option of renewing their certificates for up to two months before the expiration date without losing any validity. This change reduces the risk of non-compliance and allows better maintenance planning.
Only a registered Gas Safe Register engineer can issue an official landlord gas safety certificate. It is crucial to find an experienced engineer who can complete a thorough inspection of your property and all gas appliances. After the inspection, the engineer will issue a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) which certifies that your home meets all relevant regulations.
It is worth convincing your tenant to allow you to access their property to perform your annual gas safety inspection. You can write a letter to your tenant outlining the importance of these checks and the steps that is involved. If they still refuse to sign the checks, you could consider serving them with a Section 21 notice or applying to the courts for an injunction.
It is important to renew your landlord gas safety certificate before the current certificate expires. In the event of non-compliance, it could result in heavy penalties, and your appliances could become unsafe for tenants to use.
If you are a landlord who owns multiple properties, it is crucial to keep an eye on the dates that your gas safety checks are due to expire and book them in advance. This will help you avoid the hassle of having to chase your tenants for access and ensure that all your properties have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.