Private landlords in Stratford, London, have to observe a rather large number of statutory and regulatory provisions. One of the most stringent requirements refers to gas safety, as laid down in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Failure to inspect or appropriately maintain gas installations and appliances poses a risk to human safety and health, mainly in the form of fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Drawing from their experience, our estate agents in Stratford have prepared an overview of landlords’ gas-related obligations. Read on to find out how our knowledgeable Stratford estate agents can help you understand and navigate your gas certificate responsibilities.
What you can find in this article:
Gas Safety Responsibilities of Landlords
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
Contents of the Gas Safety Certificate
Gas Safety: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair
Infringement of Gas Safety Obligations
Gas Safety Responsibilities of Landlords
Landlords have an obligation of care to their tenants. More specifically, they must keep their property hazard-free and up to safety standards.
By law, landlords letting a residential property have three main responsibilities in the field of gas safety:
- Ensure the safe installation and effective maintenance of any gas equipment in the leased premises
- Have an annual gas inspection conducted by a registered engineer on any property where there is a gas supply
- Provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to existing tenants within 28 days of the check, or to new tenants when they move in
The responsibility in connection with gas safety lies with the landlord of the property. Nevertheless, tenants should be aware of the relevant laws and regulations, and of their own responsibilities in this sensitive field.
Our experienced Stratford estate agents advise landlords to:
- Provide gas safety information to their tenants
- To show them where and how to turn the gas off
- To show them how to prepare for a gas emergency
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate
The landlord gas safety certificate, previously known as CP12, is the full record of the property, in terms of gas safety. It is the document attesting that your property has undergone life-saving gas safety checks. As a landlord, you will receive the certificate, and you have to provide a copy to your tenants.
Gas safety inspections must be conducted every year. They can only be performed by registered gas engineers. The gas engineer will usually hand over the certificate upon completion of their inspection. The issuance of the certificate should not be delayed, for instance, until any necessary remedial work has been performed, if the gas check reveals any concerns.
Please keep in mind that it is the landlord’s (and not the tenant’s or gas inspector’s) responsibility to make sure that the gas safety certificate for the property is in place or up to date.
Contents of the Gas Safety Certificate
The record issued by the registered gas safety inspector will include:
- The date of the gas inspection performed on the appliance or flue
- The address of the leased property, where the appliance or flue is installed
- The name and address of the landlord (or agent) where the appliance or flue is located
- A description and location of each appliance or flue subject to inspection
- A list of any faults and defects identified and any remedial action necessary or taken
- The result of any operational safety inspections in relation to the appliances
- The name, signature and registration number of the gas engineer who issued the gas safety certificate
Gas Safety: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair
Landlords have to ensure that flues/chimneys, gas appliances, and pipework provided for the tenant’s use in the leased property are maintained in a safe condition. Our estate agents in Stratford generally recommend a programme of regular inspections, as well as any necessary repairs.
An annual gas safety inspection will cover all permanent and portable gas appliances and flues. All installations and pipes, from the meter to the appliance, fall under the scope of the landlord’s maintenance responsibility.
Any gas appliance existing on the property, provided for the tenant’s use, is the landlord’s legal responsibility. For any gas appliances owned by the tenant, not provided by the landlord, the gas supplying pipework is in charge of the landlord, but the appliance itself is not.
Our estate agents in Stratford supply exceptional customer service. They can help you find the registered gas engineer best suited to your needs. During a gas safety check, the registered engineer will:
- Make sure that the appliances are well ventilated and that the gas burns properly
- Test the installation and appliances for gas tightness
- Examine the proper condition and safe working of appliances, conduct performance tests, and make sure that no safety devices are malfunctioning
- Inspect the flue or chimney to prevent any fume accumulation
- Make sure that gas appliances are solely used for their intended purpose (a cooker must not be used as a heater).
Our skilled estate agents in Stratford emphasize that the provision of domestic gas maintenance and the keeping of gas safety records are two separate requirements for landlords.
Installation pipework in the property is not included in the annual gas safety check. Still, the HSE and our savvy Stratford estate agents recommend that the registered engineer also check the entire gas system for tightness and conduct a visual examination of the pipework.
If the gas safety inspection reveals any issues, the landlord will take any steps necessary to ensure that the property is again fully compliant with the gas safety requirements. Landlords are responsible for any maintenance and repairs rendered necessary by general wear and tear.
Before re-letting, landlords must make sure that the gas equipment and fittings are safe. All necessary checks should be performed. And any concerns have to be rectified or removed before the beginning of any new tenancy.
Infringement of Gas Safety Obligations
Strict adherence to Government-imposed gas safety regulations is imperative to prevent the loss of lives. Cutting corners on these responsibilities and obligations can lead to the inability to evict a tenant, fines of up to £20,000, or even criminal charges (and, possibly, imprisonment).
Rules and regulations in the gas safety field may be puzzling for both new and experienced landlords. If you are a Stratford private landlord, contact our estate agents in Stratford to help you tackle any property letting intricacies.
