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. This should be done at least once a year and prior to any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers that are registered with Gas Safe can perform a CP12 inspection. You can verify their credentials by checking their Gas Safe ID card.
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Gas safety certificates for landlords or CP12 certificates, confirm that a landlord's gas appliances and flues have been examined by an engineer who is registered and safe to use. 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, a Gas Safe engineer will check the entire property's gas appliances, pipes and flues for evidence of leaks or unsafe operation. The engineer will also test for carbon monoxide, and make sure that there is enough ventilation. The average home inspection will take between 30 minutes and an hour.
The engineer will inform you if there is a problem and recommend any necessary repairs to ensure the security of your tenants. If you fail to complete the repair recommended then you will not be able to obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate.
A landlord gas safety certification is crucial to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. You could be fined substantial amounts and your tenants could be at risk of carbon dioxide poisoning, as well as other gas-related issues if you do not have one. It's important to note that the cost of a CP12 certificate can vary between different companies and it's recommended to obtain multiple quotes for your property before making the decision.
If you're looking for an experienced service provider in Newport Pagnell, No1PHD is the company for you. We have a national network of gas engineers, which means that we can send an engineer to your property quickly and easily even if you require an immediate service. This is in stark contrast to sole operator gas engineers, who are often over booked and unable to respond to urgent requests.
Landlords are also legally obliged to keep a record of their gas safety and give it to tenants at the completion of their annual gas safety check. Newport Pagnell gas engineers will contain the list of all gas appliances and flues that have been checked as well as the date of completion.
What is the reason I need a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
As a landlord as a landlord, you are required to ensure that gas appliances or flues that are located in your property are safe to use. This includes making sure that they undergo regular inspections and that you have a valid landlord gas safety certificate. In the absence of this, it could result in significant penalties or even criminal charges.
It is recommended that you get your landlord's gas safety check carried out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues are in good working and in good condition, free of any issues and safe to use by your tenants.
A valid landlord gas safety certificate must be provided to your tenants following the annual service and displayed in the property. It should be provided to current tenants within 28 days after the inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
If you are a landlord who has multiple properties, you must check them all 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 expire.
Landlords are also accountable for any sub-let properties they may own. While the original landlord retains duties 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 work correctly. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can carry out these tests. Therefore, make sure that the person you choose to hire has a valid Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants refuse to allow access for the gas safety checks You could write a clearly written letter explaining why it is important and what the consequences will be if they continue to block access. You can also apply to the courts for a warrant of entry.
It is also worth noting that it is against the law for landlords to compel access to their property or to use force to gain access. This is outlined in section 39 of 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 home in order to get a landlord's gas safety certificate. The engineer will issue a CP12 certificate that confirms the security of your property's flues and gas appliances. This is required for all landlords, regardless of whether they manage a single property or if they manage multiple rental properties.
Landlords should also ensure that their tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance and annual inspections of all gas appliances and pipework. This is especially important when it comes to older or poorly-maintained appliances because they are more susceptible to failure or malfunction. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations to determine how often your appliances should be maintained.
It is also important to ensure that you conduct an inspection of your gas safety if your property is empty for extended periods of time, as this could be a prime possibility for vandalism or other criminal activity. You will receive a brand new Gas Safety Record listing all the results once the test is completed. This will be given to your tenants in order to provide assurance that the property is safe for occupancy.
If your engineers discover any problems with your gas appliances, they'll ask permission to cut off the supply. This is a necessary step to prevent any potential dangers or risks to your tenants, and it's essential that you adhere to their advice as swiftly as you can in order to prevent putting anyone at risk.
Sometimes, it's hard to gain entry to a property to perform an inspection of gas safety. In such circumstances you have to prove that you've completed all "reasonable steps" to fulfill your legal duties, including writing to tenants and stating that gas checks are necessary to ensure their security. You can request the engineer to return at a later date or in the case of extreme circumstances you may need to seek legal advice.
Can I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate for multiple properties?
As a landlord you are required to test your flues and gas appliances annually. This is to ensure that they are working safely and that your tenants are in the safety of their homes to reside. Landlords must also give their tenants the gas safety record within 28 days of the check and place it in a prominent location in the property.
The law governing gas safety for landlords is constantly updated to reflect new technology and the ways in which we use our homes. For instance, the most recent modifications to the Gas Safety Regulations allow landlords to renew their gas safety certificates up two months prior to the date of expiration without losing any validity period. 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. Finding a reliable engineer to examine your home and all its gas appliances is vital. After the inspection the engineer will issue a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) which certifies that your home meets all regulations applicable to it.
If your tenant refuses to allow you to access their property for your annual gas safety check, it is worthwhile trying to convince them to allow you access. You can send them a letter explaining the importance of the checks and what they include. If they refuse to comply, you may serve them with a Section 21 Notice or apply to the courts for an interim injunction.
It is important to renew your landlord gas safety certificate prior to when the current certificate expires. Failure to do so can result in hefty penalties and could render your appliances unsafe for tenants to use.
If you are a landlord who has multiple properties, it is important to keep an eye on the dates that your gas safety inspections are due to expire. You should also schedule them in advance. This will allow you to avoid the stress of having to hunt down tenants who are unable to access your property and make sure that all of your properties have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.