Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you are a landlord, it is your responsibility to give your tenants the 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 What is Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Landlord gas safety certificates, or CP12 certificates, prove that the landlord's gas appliances and flues have been examined by an engineer registered with the company and are safe to use. These certificates are a legal requirement of any landlord and must be renewed every year to be in compliance with UK laws.
During the inspection a Gas Safe engineer will inspect the gas appliances, pipes and flues, looking for leaks or unsafe operations. The engineer will also test for carbon monoxide and ensure that there is adequate ventilation. The average home inspection takes between 30 and an hour.
The engineer will notify 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 be refused the landlord's gas safety certification.
A landlord gas safety certificate is vital to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. Without one, you could face massive fines and your tenants may be put at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or other gas related issues. It's important to note that the cost of a CP12 certificate varies among different providers, so it is recommended to obtain multiple quotes for your home prior to making a decision.
If you're seeking an efficient service provider in Newport Pagnell, No1PHD is the company for you. We have a nationwide network of gas engineers, which means we can send an engineer to your location quickly and easily, even if you require an immediate service. This is in stark contrast with sole-operator gas technicians who are often overwhelmed and unable to respond urgent requests.
Landlords are also required to display their gas safety records, which they should give to tenants after their annual gas safety checks. This document will contain a list of all gas appliances and flues that have been checked and the date it was completed.
What is the reason I need a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your property are safe to use. It is your obligation as a landlord to ensure that any flues or gas appliances within your property are safe to use. In the absence of this, it could result in significant fines, or even criminal proceedings.
It is recommended that you get your landlord's gas safety check carried out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues are in good working order, free from issues and safe to use by your tenants.
A valid gas safety certificate for your landlord is required to be handed out to your tenants following the annual service and displayed in the property. It should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the annual service and to new tenants upon beginning their lease.
If you own multiple properties, it is essential to ensure that each property is inspected and display the Gas Safety Certificate. This will allow you to 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 accommodation that they may own. The original landlord retains certain duties that can't be transferred to a tenant who leases the property. However, they should ensure that their responsibilities are clearly defined in the contract.
A CP12 landlord gas safety certificate proves you have been able to have your gas appliances and flues tested and are in good functioning order. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to conduct these tests. Be sure that the engineer you hire has an authentic Gas Safe ID Card.
If your tenants do not allow access to the gas safety checks and you want to inform them, you can send them a letter that explains the importance of the inspections and the consequences if they continue refusing access. You can also apply to the courts for a warrant of entry.
It is also important to remember that it is against the law for a tenant or landlord to forcibly enter their home. 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 inside your home to obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate. They will issue an CP12 certificate that will confirm that your property's gas appliances and flues are safe for use. This is an obligation for all landlords, regardless of whether you own one property or a portfolio of rental properties.
Landlords also need to ensure that tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance and annual checks on all gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial when it comes to older appliances that are not maintained properly, as these can be more prone to breakdown or malfunction. If you're unsure the frequency of servicing your appliances, refer to the guidelines of the manufacturer to find out what is recommended.
If your home has been vacant for a long period of time, you should be sure to have it inspected for gas safety. This could create an possibility to commit vandalism or crime. Once the inspection is completed and you are issued with a new Gas Safety Record that will list all of the results. This can then be provided to your tenants in order to give them assurance that the property is safe for occupation.
The engineers will request permission to disconnect your gas supply if they find any problems with your appliances. This is an important step to avoid any potential dangers to your tenants. It's vital that you adhere to the recommendations of your engineer as soon as you can, to ensure that you don't put anyone in danger.
Sometimes, it's hard to gain entry to a property to perform an inspection of gas safety. In these instances you'll need to prove you've taken all "reasonable steps" to fulfill your legal obligations, which includes writing to tenants and stating that gas safety checks are essential to ensure their safety. You can ask 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 gas appliances and flues every year. This is to ensure they are operating in a safe manner and that your tenants enjoy the safety of their homes to live. Landlords are required to give an original copy of their gas safety records to tenants within 28 days after the inspection. They are also required to keep it visible in the property.
Newport Pagnell gas engineer that governs gas safety for landlords is revised regularly to reflect the latest technologies and the ways we use our homes. The latest amendments to Gas Safety Regulations, for example, allow landlords the option of renewing their certificates for up to two months before the deadline without losing any validity period. This helps to reduce the risk of over compliance and enables improved maintenance planning.
A landlord gas safety certificate is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. It is important to find an experienced engineer who can complete a thorough inspection of your home and all gas appliances. Once the inspection is complete they will provide you with the Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 which proves that your home conforms to the applicable regulations.
It is worth persuading your tenant to allow you to access their property to perform the annual gas safety checks. You can send an email explaining the importance of the checks and what they include. If they do not comply, you can issue them with a Section 21 Notice or apply to the courts for an interim injunction.
When it comes time to renew your landlord's gas safety certificate, it is essential to do it before the expiration date of the current certificate. In the event of not doing so, it could result in costly penalties and could render your appliances unsafe for your tenants to use.
If you are a landlord who has multiple properties, it is crucial to keep track of the dates when your gas safety checks are scheduled to expire and schedule them in advance. This will save you the hassle of having tenants hound you for access, and also ensure that all of your properties have an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate.