Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you're a landlord, then it is your responsibility to provide your tenants with a gas safety certificate. This should be done each year and before any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers who have been 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, confirm that the gas appliances of a landlord's and flues have been inspected by a registered engineer and are safe to use. These certificates are legal requirements of any landlord and must be renewed every year to be in compliance with UK laws.
During the inspection during the inspection, a Gas Safe engineer will check the entire property's gas appliances, pipes and flues for signs of leaks or unsafe operation. They will also examine for carbon monoxide and make sure there is adequate ventilation. The average home inspection takes between 30 and an hour.
In the event of a problem the engineer will notify you of the issue and suggest any required repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If gas safe engineer Newport Pagnell do not complete the recommended repairs, you will not receive an official gas safety certificate for your landlord.
A gas safety certificate for your landlord is an essential element of ensuring your tenants' health and well-being. You could face fines in the thousands of amounts and your tenants may be at risk of getting carbon dioxide poisoning and other gas-related issues if don't have one. It is important to note that CP12 certificates may differ in cost between different providers. Therefore, it's recommended to get multiple quotes before making a final decision.
No1PHD is a reliable service provider for Newport Pagnell. We have a nationwide network of gas engineers. This means that we are able to send an expert to your property quickly, even if it is an same-day service. This is in stark contrast to sole operator gas engineers who are often booked up and are unable to attend to urgent requests.
The landlords should also show their gas safety certificates that they must hand over tenants after each year's gas safety inspections. This document will contain the list of all gas appliances and flues that have been checked and the date of completion.
Why do I need to get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As the landlord as a landlord, you are required to ensure that gas appliances or flues that are located 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 home are safe to use. Failure to adhere could result in large fines or criminal proceedings.
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 operating correctly, are free of issues and safe for your tenants to use.
A valid landlord gas safety certificate 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 after the annual service and also to new tenants at the time they start their lease.
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 help keep track of expiry dates for each certificate and make sure you renew them before they expire.
Landlords are also accountable for any sublet accommodation they may own. The original landlord retains certain obligations that cannot be transferred to someone who leases the property. However, they must ensure that their responsibilities are clearly defined in the lease.
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 able to perform these tests. Make sure the person you hire has an authentic Gas Safe ID Card.
If your tenants do not allow access to the gas safety check then you can write them a letter explaining the importance of the checks and the consequences of refusing access. Alternatively, you can also apply to the courts for a warrant of entry.
It is also important to note that it is against the law for a tenant or landlord to forcibly enter their home. This is outlined in section 39 of the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations, 1998.
How do I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe engineers will inspect the gas appliances and pipework in your home in order to get a landlord's gas safety certificate. They will issue an CP12 certificate that will confirm whether your property's gas appliances and flues are safe to use. This is a requirement for all landlords, irrespective of whether they manage only one property or they manage multiple rental properties.
Landlords must also make sure that their tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance, which includes periodic checks on gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly important for older or poorly maintained appliances that are more prone to fail or fail. Review the manufacturer's guidelines to see how often your appliances should be serviced.
If your property is vacant for a long time, you should be sure to have it inspected for gas safety. This could create an opportunity to commit vandalism or crime. Once the inspection is completed you will be issued with a new Gas Safety Record that will detail all the results. This will be given to your tenants to give them peace of mind knowing 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 a necessary step to prevent any potential threats or risks to your tenants. It's essential that you adhere to their recommendations as soon as you can to prevent putting anyone at risk.
Sometimes, it's difficult to gain access to a property to perform a gas safety inspection. In such cases, you will need to demonstrate that you've taken all 'reasonable steps' to fulfill your legal obligations, including writing to the tenant and explaining that gas safety checks are a required necessity for their own safety. You can request the engineer to come back at a later time or in extreme cases you may need to seek legal advice.
Can I get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I have multiple properties?
As a landlord, you're required to test your flues and gas appliances every year. This is to ensure they are working safely and that your tenants have the safety of their homes to live. Landlords are also required to give their tenants the gas safety certificate within 28 days after the date of the check and display it in a prominent spot in the property.
The law that governs landlord gas safety is regularly updated to reflect new technology and the way we use our homes. For instance, the most recent amendments to the Gas Safety Regulations allow landlords to renew their gas safety certificates up two months prior to the deadline date without losing any validity time. This change helps reduce the chance of not being in compliance and enables improved maintenance planning.
Only a registered Gas Safe Register engineer can issue a landlord gas safety certificate. Finding a reliable engineer to examine your home and all its gas appliances is crucial. After the inspection is completed, they will issue you with an Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 which confirms that your property is in compliance with the relevant regulations.
It is worth persuading your tenant to let you access their property for your annual gas safety check. You can send a letter to your tenant stating the importance of these checks and the steps that is involved. If they are still refusing to sign the checks, you could consider serving them with an Section 21 notice or applying to the courts for an injunction.
It is crucial to renew your landlord's gas safety certificate before the expiration date. In the event of non-compliance, it could result in heavy fines, and your appliances could be unsafe for tenants to use.
If you are a landlord who owns 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 stress of having to hunt down tenants who are unable to access your property and ensure that all your properties have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.