Gas safety compliance is a fundamental legal responsibility for landlords across the UK, ensuring tenant safety in homes with gas appliances. All landlords must arrange a professional gas safety check on all gas appliances, fittings, and flues in their rental properties annually, performed exclusively by Gas Safe registered engineers.
Key Legal Requirements:
Annual Gas Safety Check: Conducted every 12 months by a registered engineer.
Issuing the Certificate: The Gas Safety Certificate (also known as the CP12) must be provided to your tenants within 28 days of the inspection’s completion if they are existing tenants, or supplied before a new tenant moves in.
Record-Keeping: Landlords must keep copies of these certificates for at least two years and be prepared to provide evidence on demand.
Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to provide the Gas Safety Certificate within the required timeframe can lead to severe repercussions, including civil penalties, criminal prosecution, invalidated landlord insurance, and restrictions on serving Section 21 eviction notices.
For efficient, reliable compliance, landlords can utilize professional inspections and certificate issuing services such as those offered by Landlords Checks.
FAQs:
How often is the gas safety inspection legally required?
A full gas safety check must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months.Who is qualified to carry out these inspections?
Only engineers on the official Gas Safe Register can legally perform and certify gas safety inspections.What must be included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
It includes details on each appliance and flue inspected, their safety status, and any defects or remedial measures needed.When must tenants receive the certificate?
Existing tenants must receive their copy within 28 days following the inspection; new tenants must have it before moving in.Can failure to provide the certificate lead to eviction issues?
Yes, landlords cannot serve a Section 21 eviction notice legally without providing a valid, timely gas safety certificate.Does gas safety compliance affect landlord insurance?
Non-compliance often voids landlord insurance, risking coverage loss in case of incidents.What happens if an appliance fails inspection?
The appliance must be immediately repaired or replaced before reuse; continued use is illegal and unsafe.Can tenants request copies of previous safety certificates?
Yes, landlords should keep records and provide copies on request.Is a gas safety certificate needed when the property is vacant?
Yes, if the property contains gas appliances and is intended for renting, certificates must be current even during void periods.Where can landlords get professional gas safety checks?
Services like Landlords Checks provide full inspections and certificate delivery.
