Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is crucial to keep in mind that it is only landlords who are responsible for gas safety checks. This applies to landlords of residential dwellings as well as those who rent rooms or holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their homes on the market landlords must show that the plumbing and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can help you to achieve this.
What is a gas safety certificate?
You must comply with the law, whether you are a landlord or a homeowner in maintaining your gas appliances and installations in good condition. Every property owner must obtain their gas safety certificates at least once a calendar year. What is a gas certificate? Who really needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is a legal document issued by a qualified Gas Safe engineer after carrying an extensive inspection of all the gas appliances and flues within your rental home. The engineer will also check that all ventilation passages are clear within your rental property to avoid the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. It will list each of the gas appliances that were inspected and installations, including their model, brand and the location of your property. The engineer will also state whether they found the appliance to be safe for use or not, and give details of the work that needs to be done to ensure the security of your tenants.
how long does gas safety certificate last must provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days after the service. You must also give it to new tenants when they begin their lease. In the event of a delay, it could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to consider your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate to live safely, it is still a good thing to get one each year. This will not only set your mind at rest about the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but also help you detect any problems early. This can save you lots of money and stress in the long term.
Gas Safety Certificates can be extremely useful to prospective buyers when you're selling your home. They will show that you've taken care of all gas appliances and installations. In addition, it can speed up the conveyancing process since it doesn't require additional checks.
Who is in need of a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe for your tenants. You'll need to arrange for regular inspections from a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is functioning properly.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. It is recommended to do this before your tenants move in or at the start of a new tenancy. Keep the certificate for yourself and any documentation of any maintenance work that you have performed on your home's gas appliances.
Landlords are required to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least once every 12months. This includes the landlord's gas appliances, as well as any appliances provided to tenants.
If you are a landlord who does not have an official certificate of gas safety, you could face severe fines (upto PS6,000) and legal actions from your tenants, or even criminal charges. The greatest risk is that a tenant could be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to conduct a Gas Safety check. This is because only they have been trained to safely inspect gas appliances and installations. Landlords can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card which has unique holograms on it.
It is rare for a tenant not to permit access to the rental property in order to conduct an Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these situations it is essential that the landlord explains to the tenant why this is a legal requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide could be if it is not detected on time.
If the tenant refuses to allow an engineer into the property, then the landlord may decide to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their tenancy. This must be accompanied by a description of the reason they're being evicted in the first place, such as not paying rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I get an gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to prove their properties are in compliance with the regulations of the government. Some tenants are reluctant to allow a gas engineer in their residence for this reason which can be frustrating for landlords. Landlords should ensure tenants know that gas engineers aren't spies and only need to access their homes to sign a legally-required document. This will help reduce the number of tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer after he has completed the necessary checks. It is also known as a CP12 that 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 is required to provide their existing tenants with a copy the document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the check being completed. They must also give the new tenant a copy on signing the tenancy agreement. The landlord must also ensure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in each room that has fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the property. The HSE website provides more information for landlords, such as free leaflets along with an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to their property in order to perform the necessary gas security checks, they can make use of a section 21 notice to expel tenants, if needed. It is important to keep in mind that a section 21 notice is only served when the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain access to conduct the gas safety inspection and has maintained records of the attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the correct procedure for entry and then tries to evict tenants through illegal means, they may be accused of harassment and face hefty fines from regulators.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certification?
Landlords require an official gas safety certificate to ensure the property they lease out is safe for tenants to live in. This means they have to get regular checks done by an accredited gas engineer to make sure that any appliances are safe to use. Also, they should ensure that the gas pipework, appliances and flues are in good working order.
This will prevent any accidents, fires or carbon monoxide poisoning which could result from faulty equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to be current. They could be penalized for not doing so.
Landlords must show that their annual gas safety check has been carried out on time. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer that visited the property. The landlord must fix any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure tenant's safety.
Some landlords have difficulty convincing their tenants to allow them access to their property in order to conduct gas safety checks. 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 a dispute with their landlord. It's a good idea to have the landlord write a letter which he explains the reason why the gas safety inspection is required and what it will entail. The letter can be sent via recorded delivery and will give the tenant 14 days to respond.
If the tenant is unwilling to give access to the landlord, they must take further action. This might include writing a Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction that will force them to allow access. However, this is a serious step that should only be considered as a last option.