Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to remember that it is only landlords that are accountable for gas safety checks. This is true for landlords who own residential properties as well as those who lease rooms or holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their homes for sale landlords must show that the pipes and appliances in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can assist you to achieve this.
What is a gas safety certificate?
You must abide by the law, regardless of whether you're a landlord, or a homeowner, when it comes to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in good working condition. That's why every property owner must obtain their gas safety certificate at least once per year. What exactly is a gas safety certificate? Who needs 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's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also check that all ventilation pathways are free of obstructions in your rental property to avoid the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations that were examined, along with their make and model, as well as the location of your property. The engineer will then state whether they believe the appliances to be safe to use or not, and will give details of any work that needs to be done to ensure the security of your tenants.
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 receiving the service and also give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. Failure to do so could result in fines, or even criminal prosecution, so it's vital to take your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners don't need to have a Gas Safety Certificate, it's an excellent idea to get one annually. This will not only put your mind at rest about the state of your gas and heating appliances, but can also help you detect any problems early. This can help you save time and money in the long in the long.
If you're planning to sell your house, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove extremely useful to potential buyers because it will show that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. It also speeds the process of conveyancing since it doesn't require additional inspections.
Who is in need of a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home are safe for your tenants. This means that you'll need to schedule regular inspections with a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure everything is in good working order.
After the inspection is completed, you'll need the original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done prior to the time your tenants move in or at the beginning of a new lease. Keep an original copy of the document for yourself, as well as the records of any maintenance that was carried out on gas appliances in your home.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's personal gas appliances as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord and don't have a valid gas safety certificate you could be facing hefty penalties (up to a maximum of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or an indictment. The most significant chance is that a tenant could be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental property.
The only ones who are qualified to conduct an Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. This is because only they have been trained to safely examine and service gas appliances and installations. Landlords can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card which has an exclusive hologram.
Although it's not uncommon for a tenant to refuse access to their rental property in order to allow an Gas Safety Check, it could happen. In these cases it is crucial for the landlord to explain why this is a legal requirement and also that carbon monoxide could be extremely hazardous if not discovered promptly.
If the tenant is refusing to let an engineer in the property, then the landlord could be tempted to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be accompanied by a description of the reason they're being evicted in the first place, such as not paying rent or causing serious damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is necessary for landlords to show that their properties are in compliance with the regulations of the government. However, some tenants may refuse to let gas engineers enter their residences for this purpose which can be frustrating and unfair to landlords. Landlords should make sure to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers aren't agents of the state and require access only to complete an important legally-required piece of documentation. This will help to reduce the number of tenants who refuse to allow access for gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has carried out the necessary checks and is satisfied that all appliances are safe to use They will issue a Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This is also commonly known as a CP12, which stands for 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 an original copy to current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the inspection is completed. A new tenant will be provided with an original copy of the check when they sign the tenancy contract. The landlord should ensure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, except for gas cookers. Smoke alarms must be installed on each floor of the property. The HSE website has more details 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 not able to gain access to their property to carry out the necessary gas security checks, they can make use of a section 21 notice to expel the tenants, if appropriate. It is important to keep in mind, however, that a section 21 notice is only valid if the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain entry for the gas safety check and has maintained records of the attempts. If the landlord does not follow the proper procedure and tries evicting tenants without a valid reason, they may be found guilty of harassment and may be fined a significant amount.
Why do I require a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must have an official gas safety certificate to ensure the property they rent out is safe for tenants to live in. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. This means that they must to ensure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good condition.
This will help avoid any fires, accidents, or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by defective equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to be current. They could be fined when they don't.
Landlords must be able to prove that their annual gas safety inspection has been carried out in a timely manner. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or obtain a copy from an engineer who visited the property. If any of the appliances show as dangerous or defective the landlord should have them fixed immediately to protect the health and safety of the tenants.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to allow them access to the property in order to conduct gas safety inspections. It may be because they feel that it is an invasion of their privacy, or they are having a dispute with their landlord. It's an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter which he explains why the gas safety check is necessary and what it will entail. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and will give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant still refuses to give access to the landlord, they should consider taking further action. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. This is a serious action which should only be used only in the case of a last option.