Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is vital to remember that it's only landlords who have responsibility for gas safety checks. This is true for landlords who own residential properties as well as those who lease rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords must prove that the pipework as well as the flues, appliances and appliances in their properties are safe prior to putting them up for sale. This can be done with a gas safety certificate.
What is a gas safety certificate?
You must adhere to the law, regardless of whether you're a landlord, or a homeowner, when it comes to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in good condition. This is why every property owner needs to obtain their gas safety certificate at least once a year. What exactly is a gas safety certificate? And who is the person who requires one?
Gas Safe Certificates, also called Landlord Gas Safety Record are official documents issued by an official Gas Safe engineer who has completed a thorough inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also test that the ventilation passages in your home are clean to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in your home.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. It will list all of the gas appliances that were inspected and installations, as well as their make, model, and location in your property. The engineer will determine if the appliances are safe to use, and provide details on any work required to ensure your tenants' safety.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll need to present it to your tenants who are currently residing in your home within 28 days of the service and give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure. If you fail to comply you could face penalties or fines.
Although homeowners do not require a Gas Safety Certificate to live safely, it is still recommended to obtain one every year. This will not only put your mind at ease about the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but can help you spot any issues early. This could help you save money and stress in the long term.
If you're planning to sell your house and are thinking of selling it, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove very beneficial to potential buyers as it will demonstrate that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it can accelerate the process of selling since it doesn't require any additional checks.
Who is in need of a gas safety certificate?
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that any gas appliances or flues in your rental property are safe for your tenants. This means you'll have to arrange regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure everything is in good working order.
After the inspection has been completed You'll need a copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done prior to your tenants moving in, or at the beginning of any new tenancy. You should also keep a copy of the certificate for yourself as well as any records of any maintenance work that you have performed on your home's gas appliances.
The landlords' properties must be examined for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's own gas appliances, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you are a landlord with a valid gas certificate safety, you could be subject to heavy penalties (upto PS6,000), legal action from your tenants, or even criminal charges. The greatest risk is that a tenant may be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental home.
Only safety certificates are qualified to conduct an Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe engineers are certified to examine and service appliances and installations in a safe manner. gas safety certificate uk can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking at their ID card, which has unique holograms on it.
Although it's not uncommon for tenants to deny access to their rental property to allow the Gas Safety Check, it could happen. In these situations, it is important that the landlord informs the tenant the reason why it is a requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide could be if not detected on time.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow an engineer in, then the landlord may consider giving them the option of a Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. gas safety certificate uk should be accompanied by a description of the reason for being evicted, such as non-payment of rent or causing serious damage to the property.
How can I obtain a gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to prove their properties that they rent meet the requirements of the government. However, some tenants may refuse to allow gas engineers into their homes for this purpose which is a source of frustration and unfair for landlords. Landlords must ensure that tenants are aware that gas engineers aren't spying and that they are only required to enter their homes in order to fill out a legally required document. This will decrease the number of tenants who deny access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer when they have completed the necessary checks. This document is also known as a CP12 which stands for CORGI Proforma 12 CORGI was the Council for Registered Gas Installers until it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in April 2009.
The landlord must provide copies to their current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the inspection is completed. A new tenant will be provided with one when they sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord must also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector has been installed in each room used as living accommodation that is equipped with fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are installed to every storey of the property. The HSE website has more details for landlords, such as free leaflets and an Approved Code of Practice to Manage Gas Installations and Appliances within a rental Property.
If a landlord is not able to gain access to their property to perform the necessary gas safety inspections, they may use the section 21 notice to evict tenants. It is important to note that a section 21 notice is only served when the landlord has had at least three attempts to gain access for the gas safety check and has maintained records of these attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the proper procedure and attempts to evict their tenants illegally they could be accused of harassment and could face heavy fines.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certification?
Landlords require a gas safety certification to ensure the property they lease out is safe for tenants to live in. This means that they must have regular checks performed by an approved gas engineer to ensure that any appliances are safe to use. It also means that they must make sure the gas pipework, appliances and flues are in good working order.
This helps prevent fires or accidents that may result from faulty appliances, in addition to reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning that can happen when appliances aren't properly installed or maintained. It is essential that landlords stay up to date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they can be fined for not doing so.
Landlords must prove that their annual gas safety test was completed in a timely manner. They can do this by looking up their Gas Safe register online, or by getting the most recent certificate from the engineer who inspected the property. If any of the appliances are identified as being dangerous or faulty the landlord should have them repaired immediately to ensure the safety and health of the tenant.
Some landlords have difficulty convincing their tenants to grant access to their property in order to conduct gas safety checks. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as the fact that they believe it's a violation of privacy, or they are currently in a dispute with their landlord. It is recommended that the landlord write a letter which he explains why a gas safety inspection is required and what it's going to involve. This letter can be delivered by recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to respond.
If the tenant still refuses to let the landlord access the landlord should think about taking additional steps. This could be the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. This is a serious step that should only be taken only as a last option.
