Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is vital to remember that it's only landlords that are accountable for gas safety inspections. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties as well as those who rent rooms or other holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their homes for sale landlords must show that the pipework and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can assist in achieving this.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you must to comply with the law in regards to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in good operating condition. Every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificates at least once per calendar year. But what exactly is a gas safety certificate? And who needs 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 your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also make sure that all ventilation pathways are free of obstructions in your rental property to avoid dangerous carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will provide 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 property. The engineer will then state whether they found the appliance to be safe for use or not, and will give details of any work that must be done to ensure the security of your tenants.
You will need to provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days following the service. You should also provide it to tenants who are new when they start their tenancy. In the event of a delay, it could result in fines or 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 obtain one annually. This will not only put your mind at rest about the condition of your heating and gas appliances, but also help you detect any problems early. This could save you lots of money and stress in the long in the long.
If you're considering selling your home If you're thinking of selling your home, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove an invaluable asset to prospective buyers as it will demonstrate that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. It will also speed the process of selling as it doesn't require additional inspections.
Who needs a gas safety certificate?
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure 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 an Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure that everything is in good working order.
After gas safety certificate and boiler service has been completed You'll need a copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done before your tenants move into the property or at the beginning of any new tenancy. Keep the copy for yourself as well as documentation of any maintenance you have 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 own gas appliances and any appliances provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord who doesn't have a valid gas safety certification you could be facing massive penalties (up to a total of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or even a criminal charge. The biggest chance is that a tenant could be injured or even killed due to defective appliances at your rental property.
The only people who can conduct an Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to examine, service and test appliances and installations in a safe way. Landlords can check the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card with a unique hologram on it.
It is not common for a tenant not to permit access to the rental property to perform an Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these situations it is crucial for the landlord to explain to them why this is a legal requirement and how carbon monoxide can be very dangerous if it is not detected at the right time.
If the tenant is refusing to allow an engineer in the property, then the landlord could decide to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their lease. This should be accompanied with an explanation of the reason they're being removed. For example the non-payment of rent, or severe damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to prove that their rented properties meet government regulations. However, some tenants might not allow gas engineers into their residences for this purpose - which is frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers are not spies and only need access to complete an essential, legally required piece of documentation. This will reduce the number tenants who are unable to access gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer once the required checks. It is also referred to 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 an original copy to current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the inspection is completed. A new tenant will receive one when they sign the tenancy contract. The landlord must also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed in every room used as living accommodation which has fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are connected to each storey of the property. Landlords can get more information about these requirements, including free brochures and an Approved Code of Practice for the management of gas Installations and Appliances in the rental Property (Appendix 3), on the HSE website.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to their property to carry out the necessary gas security checks, they can make use of a section 21 notice to evict tenants, if necessary. A notice of section 21 is only valid if the landlord has made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property to conduct the gas safety test and kept records of those attempts. If the landlord does not adhere to the proper procedure and tries evicting their tenants illegally they could be found guilty of harassing and face heavy fines.
Why do I require a gas safety certification?
Landlords need to have an official certificate of gas safety to ensure that the property they rent is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must conduct regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. This means that they need to make sure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good working in good working order.
This will prevent any accidents, fires or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by defective equipment. It is crucial that landlords stay current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be fined for not doing so.
Landlords must be able to show that their annual gas safety inspection was carried out on time. You can check your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer that visited the property. The landlord has to fix any appliances that are unsafe or faulty immediately to protect the safety of the tenant.
Some landlords are unable to convince their tenants to grant them access to their properties in order to conduct gas safety checks. It could be because they believe that it violates their privacy or are in a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it is a good idea for the landlord to send an explicit letter stating the reason why the gas safety inspections are required and what they'll mean. This letter could be delivered by recorded delivery, and the tenant should be given 14 days to respond.
If the tenant does not give the landlord access they must take further action. This could include drafting an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction to force them to allow access. This is a serious step that should only be considered as an option last option.
