Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is vital to keep in mind that it is only landlords who have responsibility for gas safety checks. This is true for landlords who own residential properties and those who lease rooms or other holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their properties on the market landlords must show that the pipes and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. This can be accomplished with an official gas safety certificate.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
You must abide by the law, whether you're a landlord or a homeowner in keeping your gas appliances and installations in good working in good working order. Every property owner must obtain their gas safety certificates at least once a calendar year. What is a gas safety certificate? Who is the one who needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document issued by a certified Gas Safe engineer after carrying an extensive inspection of all gas appliances and flues in your rental property. The engineer will also ensure that the ventilation passages of your property are free of obstruction to prevent the build-up of carbon monoxide, which is a danger.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list each of the gas appliances and installations, as well as their model, make, and location in your home. The engineer will inform you whether the appliances are safe to use, and provide details on any work needed to ensure the safety 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 the service and also give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure. If you don't follow the rules you could face fines or criminal prosecution.
Even though homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate to live in safety, it's a good thing to get one each year. This will not just put your mind at ease regarding the state of your gas and heating appliances, but help you spot any issues in advance. This can save you lots of money and stress in the long run.
If you're thinking of selling your home and are thinking of selling it, you should get a Gas Safety Certificate will prove an invaluable asset to prospective buyers since it can prove that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. In addition, it can speed up the conveyancing process because it won't require additional inspections.
Who needs a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe. This means you'll have to arrange regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure everything is in good working order.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. It is best to have this completed before your new tenants move in, or at the beginning of any new leases. You should keep an original copy for yourself, as well as the records of any maintenance that was done to the gas appliances that are in your property.
how often gas safety certificate are legally required to have their properties checked for gas safety at least once every 12 months. This includes the landlord's gas appliances, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord who doesn't have an official gas safety certificate you could be facing huge fines (up to a maximum of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or an indictment. The biggest danger is that a tenant could be injured or even killed by defective appliances in your rental home.
The only people who are qualified to conduct the Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to inspect and service appliances and installations in a safe way. Landlords are able to check if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It is unique. Hologram.
It is very rare for a tenant to allow access to the rental property to conduct a Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these situations it is essential that the landlord explain to the tenant why this is a mandatory requirement and how dangerous carbon monoxide can be if it is not detected on time.
If a tenant is still refusing to allow an engineer to enter their home The landlord should consider giving them the Section 21 notice to end their tenancy. This is to be accompanied by a written explanation of the reason for being evicted, such as non-payment of rent or significant damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is necessary for landlords to prove that their properties are in compliance with the regulations 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 must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers are not spying and are only required to complete an essential legally required document. This will reduce the number of tenants who refuse to give access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has carried out 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 commonly 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 their current tenants with a copy this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the date that the check is completed. The landlord must also provide the new tenant one upon signing the Tenancy agreement. The landlord should also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed in each room used for living accommodation which 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, such as free leaflets 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 carry out the necessary gas safety checks, they can use a section 21 notice to evict tenants, if necessary. A notice of section 21 is only valid if the landlord made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property to conduct the gas safety test and kept a record of those attempts. If the landlord fails to adhere to the proper procedure and attempts to evict their tenants unlawfully they could be accused of harassment and face heavy fines.
Why do I require a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have a gas safety certification to ensure the property they rent out is safe for tenants to live in. This means that they must regularly check with an accredited gas engineer to make sure that all appliances are safe to use. landlord gas safety certificate how often means that they must make sure the gas pipework, appliances, and flues are all in good working order.
This helps prevent accidents or fires that may be caused by faulty appliances, in addition to aiding in reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning which can happen if an appliance isn't properly installed or maintained. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to ensure they are up-to-date. They could be fined when they don't.
Landlords need to be able show proof that they completed their annual gas safety inspections on time. You can check your Gas Safe Register online or get a copy from the engineer that visited the property. The landlord has to fix any appliances that are dangerous or defective immediately to ensure the safety of the tenant.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to allow them access to their properties in order to conduct gas safety inspections. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that they feel it's a violation of privacy or that they are currently in dispute with their landlord. It's an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter in which he explains why the gas safety check is needed and what it will entail. This can be sent by recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to respond.
If the tenant does not allow access to the landlord, they must take additional steps. This might include writing an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction that will force the tenant to allow access. This is a very serious option which should be used only as an option last resort.