Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is vital to remember that it's only landlords who are responsible for gas safety inspections. This is true for landlords of residential dwellings as well as those who lease rooms or holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their properties on the market, landlords must be able show that the pipework and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. This can be accomplished by having the gas safety certificate.
What is a gas safety certification?
You must comply with the law, whether you're a landlord, or homeowner in keeping your gas appliances and installations in a good condition. This is why every property owner needs to be issued a gas safety certificate at least once a year. What is a gas certificate? And who is the person who requires one?
Gas Safe Certificates, also known by the name Landlord Gas Safety Record are official documents issued by a Gas Safe engineer who has completed a full inspection of the rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also verify that the ventilation passages of your property are free of obstruction to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations that were examined as well as their model, make and model, as well as the location of your home. The engineer will inform you if the appliances are safe to use, and will provide information on the work required to ensure your tenants' safety.
You will need to provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days of the service. You must also give it to new tenants once they begin their tenure. Failure to do so could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to consider your responsibilities seriously.
While homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate, it's still a good idea to obtain one annually. This will not only set your mind at rest about the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but can help you spot any issues in advance. This can save you lots of money and stress in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates can be extremely beneficial to potential buyers when you're selling your house. They can prove that you have taken care of all of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it can accelerate the process of selling since it doesn't require any additional checks.
Who needs a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe. You'll have to arrange for regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is working correctly.
After the inspection has been completed You'll need an original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. It is best to have this done before your tenants move in or at the start of any new tenancies. Keep the certificate for yourself, and any documentation of the maintenance that was performed on your home's gas appliances.
The landlords' properties must be examined for gas safety at minimum every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's personal gas appliances and any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord and don't have an official gas safety certificate, you could face hefty fines (up to PS6,000) and court actions from your tenants, or even the possibility of a criminal charge. The biggest risk is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed due to faulty appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform the Gas Safety check. They are the only ones who have been trained to safely examine, service and test gas appliances and installations. Landlords can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card that has unique holograms on it.
It is very rare for a tenant to not let access to the rental property to perform a Gas Safety Check. However it happens. In these situations it is essential that the landlord informs the tenant why it is a requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide may be if not detected in time.
If a tenant continues to refuse to let an engineer into their home the landlord should think about giving them a Section 21 notice to end their tenancy. This should be accompanied by a written explanation of the reason why they're being evicted, such as non-payment of rent or significant damage to the property.
How do I get an gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is required for landlords to prove that their rented properties meet the requirements of the government. Some tenants are reluctant to let a gas engineer into their residence for this reason which can be frustrating for landlords. Landlords should try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers aren't spying and are only required to complete a vital legally-required document. This will reduce the number of tenants who are unable to grant access to gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has conducted the necessary checks and is sure that all appliances are safe to use They will issue an Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This is also known as a CP12 which is a reference to CORGI Proforma 12 CORGI used to be the Council for Registered Gas Installers However, it was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
The landlord must provide their existing tenants with a copy the document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the time the check is completed and give the new tenant an original copy when they sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord must also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is equipped in every room used as living space that has fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are fitted to every storey of the property. The HSE website provides more information for landlords, including free brochures and an Approved Code of Practice to Manage Gas Installations and Appliances within a Rental Property.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to their property to conduct the required gas safety checks, they can use the section 21 notice to expel tenants. It is important to note that a section 21 notice is only valid if the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain entry to conduct the gas safety inspection and has kept a record of the attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the proper procedure for entry and then tries to evict their tenants by illegal means, they could be found guilty of harassment and could face substantial fines from regulators.
Why do I need a gas safety certification?
gas safe installation certificate must be issued an approved certificate of gas safety to ensure that the house they rent is safe for tenants. This means they have to have regular checks performed by a registered gas engineer to ensure that any appliances are safe to use. This means that they must to ensure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good working in good working order.
This helps prevent accidents or fires which could be caused by faulty appliances, in addition to aiding in reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning which can occur when an appliance isn't properly maintained or installed. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to be current. They can be fined when they don't.
Landlords must show that their annual gas safety test was completed in a timely manner. They can do this by reviewing their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining a copy of the latest certificate from the engineer who inspected the property. If any of the appliances show as unsafe or inoperable the landlord has to get them repaired immediately to ensure the tenant's health and safety.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to grant them access to the property in order to conduct gas safety inspections. It could be because they feel that it violates their privacy or are having a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it's a good idea for the landlord to send an extremely clear letter explaining why the gas safety checks are required and what they'll mean. The letter can be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to reply.
If the tenant is still refusing to let the landlord access the landlord should think about taking additional steps. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. This is a serious action that should only be considered only as a last resort.