Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you are a landlord then it's your responsibility to provide your tenants with the gas safety certificate. This should be done each year and before any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers that are registered with Gas Safe can perform a CP12 inspection. You can check the credentials of engineers by looking at their Gas Safe ID cards.
What is what is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Gas certificates for landlords also referred to as CP12 certificates or CP12 certificates for short certificates, prove that a gas appliance and flue have been inspected and are safe to use by a registered engineer. They are legal requirements for any landlord who rents out their property and must be renewed every year to ensure compliance with UK law.
During the inspection during the inspection, a Gas Safe engineer will check all of the property's gas appliances, pipework and flues for evidence of leaks or unsafe operation. The engineer will also look for carbon monoxide and make sure that there is enough ventilation. The inspection typically lasts between 30 minutes to an hour for a home of a similar size.
The engineer will inform you if there is an issue and will recommend any repairs necessary to ensure the security of your tenants. If you do not carry out the recommended repair you will be refused a landlord's gas safety certificate.
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an essential part of protecting your tenants' health and wellbeing. You could face fines in the thousands of amounts and your tenants could be at risk of suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning and other gas-related problems if you don't have one. It is worth mentioning that CP12 certificates can vary in cost between different providers. Therefore, it's recommended to get multiple quotes before making a decision.
No1PHD is your trusted service provider in Newport Pagnell. We have a national network of gas engineers, which means that we can send an engineer to your home quickly and easily, even if you require the same day service. This is a stark contrast to sole operator gas engineers, who are usually booked and are unable to attend to urgent requests.
Landlords must also keep a record of their gas safety and provide them to tenants after their annual gas safety checks. The document will contain an inventory of all gas appliances and flues that were inspected and the date it was completed.
Why do I need to get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
As a landlord, it is your duty to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your property are safe for use. This includes making sure that they are regularly inspected and that you possess a valid landlord gas safety certificate. Failure to adhere could result in heavy fines or criminal actions.
It is recommended that you have your landlord's gas safety checks carried out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure your gas appliance and flues work properly, are free of problems and safe for your tenants to use.
A valid gas safety certificate for your landlord must be given to your tenants following the annual inspection and displayed in the property. It should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the annual service and to new tenants when they begin their lease.
If you are a landlord who has multiple properties, you should have them all checked and display the Gas Safety Certificate for each one. This will enable you to keep track and renew each certificate prior to when it expires.
Landlords are also accountable for any sublet property they may have. The landlord who originally owned the property has responsibilities that cannot be transferred to the person letting out the property, they must ensure that clear responsibilities are allocated in contractual arrangements.
A CP12 landlord gas safety certificate proves you have been able to get your gas appliances and flues checked and are in good operating condition. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are able to perform these tests. Be sure that the engineer you hire has a valid Gas Safe ID Card.
If your tenants are refusing to allow access to the gas safety checks You could write a clearly written letter stating why it's important and what the repercussions could be in the event that they continue to restrict access. Newport Pagnell gas engineers could also ask the court for a warrant to enter.
It is also worth noting that it is illegal for landlords to compel access to their property or to 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)?
To get a landlord gas safety certificate, a certified Gas Safe engineer will need to examine your property's gas appliances and pipework. They will then issue an CP12 certificate that will confirm the gas appliances and flues are safe to use. This is a legal requirement for all landlords regardless of whether you own one property or an entire portfolio of rental properties.
Landlords must also ensure that tenants are aware of the importance of maintaining their appliances regularly, which includes periodic checks on gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly crucial for older or badly maintained appliances that are more prone to fail or fail. If you're unsure how often you should service your appliances, consult the guidelines provided by the manufacturer to find out what is recommended.
If your home has been vacant for a long period of time it is recommended that you be sure to have it inspected for gas safety. This could be an opportunity to commit vandalism or crime. You will be issued a new Gas Safety Record listing all the results after the inspection is completed. This will be given to your tenants in order to give them assurance that the property is safe for occupation.
Your engineers will ask for permission to shut off your gas supply in the event of any problems with your appliances. This is an essential step to avoid any potential threats or risks to your tenants, and it's essential that you adhere to their recommendations as soon as you can in order to prevent putting anyone at risk.
Sometimes, it is difficult to gain access to a property in order to conduct an inspection of gas safety. In such cases you'll need to prove you've taken all "reasonable steps" to fulfill your legal duties, including sending letters to tenants and explaining that gas inspections are required to ensure their security. You can ask the engineer to come back at a later date, or in the case of 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're required to test your gas appliances and flues each year. This is to ensure that they are working safely and that your tenants are in the safety of their homes to live. Landlords are required to give an original copy of their gas safety report to tenants within 28 days after the check. They must also place it in a prominent location within the property.
The law that governs landlord gas safety is regularly modified to reflect the latest technology and the ways in which we use our homes. For example, the latest changes to the Gas Safety Regulations allow landlords to renew their gas safety certificates for up to two months prior to the date of expiration without losing any validity period. This decreases the risk of not complying and allows for better maintenance planning.
Only an accredited 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 vital. Once the inspection is complete, they will issue you with a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 which demonstrates that your home conforms to the applicable regulations.
If your tenant is unwilling to let you access their property for annual gas safety check, it is worthwhile trying to convince them to let you in gently. You can send an email to your tenant stating the importance of these checks as well as what will be involved. If they still refuse you, you could try serving them with a Section 21 notice or applying to the courts for an injunction.
When it comes time to renew your landlord's gas safety certification, it is essential that you do it before the current one expires. In the event of non-compliance, it could result in significant fines, and your appliances may become unsafe for tenants to use.
It is essential to make sure to schedule your gas safety check in advance if you own several properties. This will help you avoid the stress of having to chase your tenants for access and make sure that all of your properties are covered by a valid Gas Safety Certificate.