As a landlord, one of your most important responsibilities is to ensure your property is safe for your tenants. An up-to-date gas safety certificate is a must if you’re renting out property in Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and beyond. Without it, you could be putting your tenants at risk and be liable for a fine of up to £6,000 – or even six months in prison.
If you don’t supply your tenants with a copy of the certificate on time, you’ll also find it challenging to get them to leave the property should you need them to. Understandably, the rules around gas safety are a big concern for many people looking to rent out a home – and we get plenty of questions on the issue.
What are your landlord responsibilities for Gas Safety?
According to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, you must ensure all gas appliances, fittings, chimneys and flues are safe and working efficiently. You have three primary responsibilities in this area:
1. Gas Safety check
Organise an annual gas safety check, which a Gas Safe-registered engineer must carry out. The engineer will inspect all gas appliances and flues on the property and give you a gas safety certificate. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also recommends asking your engineer to check the gas safety of installation pipes.
2. Gas Safety record
Provide a copy of the gas safety certificate, sometimes called a gas safety record, to your tenant within 28 days of the check – or of them moving into the property if they are a new tenant.
3. Maintenance
Organise the essential maintenance needed to ensure that all gas pipework, appliances, chimneys and flues are safe. Check the gas appliances’ manufacturer guidelines to find out how often a service is recommended – if you’re unsure, organise an annual service or get advice from a Gas Safe-registered engineer.
What is a landlord Gas Safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is a report you will receive once a Gas Safe-registered engineer has inspected the gas appliances and flues on your property. It will give the inspection results and any remedial action you must take to protect the property.
What should a Gas Safety check include?
A gas safety inspection will cover all gas systems and appliances, including the gas supply, gas boiler, and any gas fires. The engineer will:
- check appliances for tightness and against safety regulations
- ensure there is sufficient ventilation
- check burner and gas pressures against the manufacturer’s data
- check the flue flow to ensure the removal of combustible products
- monitor standing and working gas pressure
- check that safety devices are working and for any misuse of gas appliances.
How much does a Gas Safety check cost?
The cost for a gas safety check will depend upon your chosen company and the going rate in your area. There’s no fixed price. You should get at least three quotes from Gas Safe-registered companies first. You can find a registered business in your local area on the Gas Safe website.
How long does a Gas Safety certificate last?
Your certificate lasts for 12 months. You can arrange a gas safety check 10 to 12 months after the last check without affecting the original expiry date. The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Gas Safety Regulations 2018 set out the rules.
How long must the landlord keep the Gas Safety certificate once it has expired?
It is worth hanging on to your old gas safety check records for at least two years because they demonstrate a history of compliance and proper maintenance of the appliances, should you receive an inspection.
What if the tenant owns their own gas appliances?
Appliances owned by your tenant aren’t your responsibility, but it’s up to you to ensure the safety of connecting flues. It would be in your interests to remind your tenants that their appliances should be checked by a Gas Safe-registered engineer each year. You could offer to include the appliance in your checks and servicing plans and pass on any additional costs.
Do I need to install carbon monoxide alarms?
By law, all rooms with a solid fuel-burning appliance, such as a coal fire or wood-burning stove, must have a carbon monoxide detector.
Since 1st October 2022, a carbon monoxide alarm has been required in all rooms with a fixed combustion appliance – such as gas boilers or gas fires. However, gas cookers are excluded from the updated regulation.
When additional appliances are installed, a new alarm must also be fitted. The cost of installing and maintaining these alarms will fall on the landlord. However, the responsibility to regularly test the alarms still lies with the tenant.
How long does a Gas Safety check take?
The gas safety check takes around half an hour to complete.
What if my property fails its Gas Safety check?
If a gas appliance or installation doesn’t pass the gas safety check, your engineer will advise on the severity and remedial work required.
Immediately Dangerous (ID) installations and appliances pose an immediate danger to your tenant’s life. An At Risk (AR) classification means one or more faults could pose a life-threatening risk. If your property receives either of these results, the engineer will disconnect the gas supply and apply a ‘do not use’ warning sticker. You must seek remedial work as soon as possible.
What rights do I have to enter my property for a Gas Safety check?
Gas safety checks are essential, but landlords must give 24 hours’ written notice before entering the property. Make this clear in the tenancy agreement to avoid problems. You should also record your request and the tenants’ response to demonstrate your attempts to meet your requirements under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
When should I provide my tenants with a copy?
It’s a legal requirement to give new tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate before they move into the property. Existing tenants should receive it no more than 28 days after the inspection. If you don’t issue a copy, your tenants can complain to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
What are the penalties for not having a Gas Safety certificate?
Landlords can be imprisoned for up to 6 months and issued unlimited fines for failing to have a valid gas safety certificate. Your local council can also take action.
Where can I find out more?
Find out more about gas safety checks and certificates on the Gas Safe website.
If you are a landlord with a rental property in Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa or the surrounding areas, we’d be happy to talk you through landlord gas safety checks, health and safety rules and any other aspects of renting out your property.
Email: leamington@peterclarke.co.uk
