Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you are a landlord, it is your responsibility to provide your tenants with the gas safety certificate. This should be done every year and before any new tenants move into.
Only engineers that are registered with Gas Safe can perform a CP12 inspection. You can check their credentials by checking their Gas Safe ID card.
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Landlord gas certificates also referred to as CP12 certificates or CP12 certificates for short certificates, prove that a gas appliance or flue has been tested and are safe to use by a registered engineer. They are legally required for anyone who rents out property, and must be renewed annually to comply with UK law.
During the inspection, a Gas Safe engineer will inspect the gas appliances, pipes, and flues to check for signs of leaks or unsafe operations. The engineer will also look for carbon monoxide, and make sure that there is enough ventilation. The typical home inspection lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.
If there is a problem the engineer will inform you of the issue and recommend any required repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you do not carry out the recommended repair then you will not be able to obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate.
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a crucial part of ensuring your tenants' health and wellbeing. Without one, you could face massive fines and your tenants could be put at risk of poisoning by carbon monoxide or other gas-related issues. It's worth mentioning that the cost of a CP12 certificate can differ among different providers and it's an excellent idea to obtain multiple quotes for your home prior to making an investment.
No1PHD can be your reliable service provider in Newport Pagnell. We have a national network of gas engineers. This means that we can dispatch an expert to your property quickly, even if it is a same-day service. This is in stark contrast to sole-operator gas technicians who are often overwhelmed and unable to respond quickly to urgent requests.
Landlords are also legally required to display their gas safety record and give it to tenants at the completion of their annual gas safety inspection. This document will contain an inventory of all gas appliances and flues which have been tested, and an account of the date when it was completed.
Why do I require a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances and flues that are in your property are safe to use. It is your responsibility as a landlord to ensure that any flues or gas appliances that are located in your property are safe to use. Failure to do so can result in hefty penalties or even criminal charges.
It is recommended to have your landlord's gas safety checks carried out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues are operating properly, are free of problems and safe for your tenants to use.
A valid gas safety certificate from your landlord must be provided to your tenants following the annual service and displayed in the property. It should be given to tenants within 28 days of the annual service, and to new tenants when they begin their lease.
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 allow you to keep track of the expiry dates for each certificate, and make sure you renew them prior to when they expire.
Landlords are also accountable for any sublet accommodation they may own. While the original landlord retains the responsibilities that are not transferable to the person who is renting the property, they must ensure that the responsibilities are clearly assigned in contractual agreements.
A CP12 landlord gas safety certificate proves you have been able to have your gas appliances and flues checked and are in good working order. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can perform these tests, so make sure that the engineer you hire has a valid Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants refuse to allow access to the gas safety inspections, you can write a strongly worded letter explaining why it's important and what the repercussions are in the event that they continue to restrict access. Alternately, you could request the courts for a warrant of entry.
It is also important to know that it is not legal for landlords to compel access to their property or use force to gain access. This is stated in section 39 of Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998.
How can I obtain an Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Gas Safe engineers will inspect the gas appliances and pipework in your home to obtain a landlord's gas safety certificate. gas certificates Newport Pagnell will issue a CP12 certificate that confirms the safety of your property's pipes and gas appliances. This is required for all landlords, irrespective of whether they manage a single property or if they manage dozens of rental properties.
Landlords should also ensure that their tenants are aware of maintaining their appliances regularly, which includes regular checks of gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial when it comes to older appliances that are not maintained properly because they are more prone to malfunctioning or breaking down. If you're unsure the frequency of servicing your appliances, refer to the manufacturer guidelines to find out what's recommended.
You should also ensure that you have an inspection for gas safety if your property is empty for extended periods of time, since this could be a prime chance for vandalism or criminal activity. Once the inspection is complete you will be given a fresh Gas Safety Record that will list all of the results. The report can be distributed to your tenants in order to give them peace of mind knowing that the property is safe for occupation.
Your engineers will ask for permission to cut off 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 advice of your engineers as soon as possible to avoid putting anyone in danger.
Sometimes, it's difficult to gain access to a property to perform an inspection of gas safety. In these instances, you must show that you've completed all "reasonable steps" to fulfill your legal duties, including writing to tenants and explaining that gas inspections are required for their security. You can also ask the engineer to visit on a different occasion or, in extreme circumstances, you may have to seek legal advice.
Can I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I own multiple properties?
As a landlord you are required to test your gas appliances and flues each year. This will ensure that your tenants live in a safe space and that the appliances are working safely. Landlords are required to give an original copy of their gas safety records to tenants within 28 days following the check. They must also place it in a prominent location within the property.
The law governing the safety of landlords in the gas industry is reviewed frequently to reflect the latest technologies and how we use our homes. The latest amendments to Gas Safety Regulations, for example, allow landlords the option of renewing their certificates up to two months before the deadline, without losing any validity. This reduces the chance 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 gas engineers Newport Pagnell to inspect your property and all of its gas appliances is crucial. Once the inspection is complete, they will issue you with an Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 which demonstrates that your home conforms to the applicable regulations.
If your tenant won't allow you to access their property to conduct your annual gas safety checks it is worthwhile trying to convince them to allow you access. You can send them a letter stating the importance of the checks and what they include. If they do not comply, you may serve them with a Section 21 Notice or apply to the courts for an injunction for a short period of time.
When it comes time to renew your landlord's gas safety certificate it is crucial that you do it before the expiration date of the current certificate. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines and may render your appliances unsafe for tenants to use.
It is important that you schedule your gas safety inspection in advance if you own several properties. This will save you the stress of having to hunt down tenants who are unable to access your property and make sure that all of your properties have an active Gas Safety Certificate.