What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord it is important to know your responsibilities when it comes to the gas safety of your property. Landlords must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

You should arrange for your onsite appliances and flues to be examined annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must also provide a copy of the gas safety report to your tenants.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a formal document that an Gas Safe registered engineer gives to the owner of the property after carrying out a safety check. It should contain all the information about the properties gas pipework, flues, and appliances that have been inspected for safety. Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the appliances and pipes are in good condition and to provide copies of the completed document to their tenants.
All landlords are legally required to inspect their properties every 12 months and to obtain an annual certificate of gas safety. However, the regulations require landlords to schedule their inspections no later than one month before the date on which their current certificate is due to expire. This will prevent any coverage lapse and provides the best possible protection for their tenants.
To get a landlord gas safety certificate, you will need to make arrangements for an Gas Safe registered engineer to visit the property. The engineer will perform a full examination of all gas appliances and installation pipework within the property. Additionally, the engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance. The engineer will also test the emergency controls for each appliance.
If a tenant is refusing to permit access to the inspection, the landlord could attempt to persuade them to allow the inspection to let them in by writing a strong letter explaining why they need the checks to be completed and what happens should they refuse to allow them access. If this doesn't work the landlord could think about initiating the eviction process by serving a Section 21 notice.
As an owner, you must provide your tenants with an original copy of the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record within 28 days of every check that is carried out. This should be given to existing tenants as well as any new tenants prior to when they move into the property. Additionally, you must keep a copy the lease for two years.
What is a tenant gas safety certification?
Generally speaking, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in their homes are regularly tested by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The cost can range from PS60 to PS120 depending on the extent of the test. The engineer will issue a CP12 (Landlord Gas Safety Record) to the landlord following the inspection. This document must be passed on to tenants within four weeks of the test having been completed. This document is an account of the inspections and should be kept by the landlord for two years from the date of the initial inspection, but it is recommended to store them online to minimize the amount of paper that is thrown away.
Landlords also need to ensure that they can access the property to perform the annual gas safety and service checks. If a tenant is unwilling to admit access, the law states that the landlord must take all 'reasonable steps' to gain access to complete the inspection. It may be necessary to write to the tenant and ask them to contact an engineer directly, and to repeat requests for access. You can also contact the local council, who might be able to send an official to explain why it is important to allow access for safety and maintenance checks.
If a tenant is still refusing to grant access to the property, the landlord should think about starting the process of expulsion. While this should be considered a last option however, it is a legal right for the landlord to evict a tenant that refuses to cooperate with essential safety checks. This is a complex process, so landlords must consult a lawyer before taking this step.
The landlord is accountable for all gas pipes as well as flues, appliances and appliances that they own and provide to tenants. This applies even if the property is completely or partially sub-leased by the landlord to third parties. However, the original landlord and any other person who takes on the responsibility through contractual arrangements must cooperate, with a an explicit allocation of responsibilities to ensure that the legal requirements are met.
If a landlord has employed the services of a managing agent to manage their rental properties, it is essential to find out who is responsible for conducting the gas safety tests. Some agents are responsible for this, but it is important to inquire with the agency ahead of time to ensure you are fully covered.
What is a gas safety certificate for sub-let?
When a landlord rents their property, they must ensure that it is safe for those living there. A gas safety certificate shows that all gas appliances and flues in the property have been tested and deemed to be safe by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord is responsible to ensure that gas safety checks are carried out every year, and copies of the certificates are handed out to the tenants. The checks must be conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The CP12 form must include the Gas Safe engineer's ID number and the date of issue.
how to get gas safety certificate must also provide the tenants the copy of the gas certificate within 28 working days following the conclusion of any checks. Similarly, the landlord must provide a copy CP12 to any new tenants prior to their move into.
This rule is not applicable when the property is let out for a brief time, such as a student house or holiday home. It's an ideal idea to include information about these exemptions in your tenancy agreement since it can save you a lot of trouble and potential legal issues in the future.
If a landlord finds that their appliances or flues do not meet the safety standards of an inspection, he should fix them in the shortest time possible. This could mean the removal and reconnecting of the gas supply. Landlords must ensure that their gas technicians have Gas Safe registration and verify their identity with their photocard prior to completing any work.
Despite the exemptions mentioned above, the regulations around gas safety checks for landlords and landlords are extremely strict and must be followed. If the landlord is found to be in violation of the regulations, they could be prosecuted and face fines or even prison sentences.
Total Landlord is here to help you if you're a landlord and need to schedule an inspection of gas safety. Gas Safe engineers can visit your property to perform an entire inspection and issue an CP12 certificate. We offer competitive prices and same-day service for emergencies. For more information, give us an email or call us on our website today.
What is an annual check-up on gas?
Legally, you are accountable for an annual gas safety check each year if you lease out some or all of your home. This includes checking the boiler and other gas appliances including pipes and flues, and any fixtures and fittings which make use of or exhaust gas.
Gas Safe engineers will inspect your home to ensure everything is safe and up-to date. They will test all the gas appliances and flues and look for signs of leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. They will also check that the gas supply is on and that the gas meter is stocked with money on it.
It is a good idea to provide your tenants with an original copy of the gas safety report after the inspection and verification was completed. It must be given to tenants who have been in the property for a period of 28 days and to new tenants prior to moving into. It is also recommended to keep an original copy of the gas safety record for yourself and any agents you hire.
Landlords must arrange and pay for gas safety certificates and inspections for their properties. However, if tenants refuse to allow the inspection or maintenance work to be carried out it is your responsibility to take'reasonable steps' to gain access. You could write a letter explaining the reason you have to gain access to the property and the security inspections that are required. If the tenant continues to refuse, you can consider starting a Section 21 eviction process.
The annual gas safety inspection is covered by your Hometree landlord insurance policy. That means you don't have to schedule it separately or think about when you'll need do it. You can also be confident that we've got your back in the event that you have to renew your policy or alter any information.
For more information on our insurance plans for landlords, please visit the Hometree website. You can also sign up for a no-cost estimate to learn more about the packages and the cost you'll be paying. Our promise of no price hike means that your annual premium will not rise more than the rate of inflation for the first year.