Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is crucial to remember that it's only landlords that are accountable for gas safety checks. This applies to landlords who own residential properties as well as those who rent rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to prove that the pipes as well as the flues, appliances and appliances in their properties are safe prior to putting them on the market. This can be accomplished by having a gas safety certificate.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a tenant or homeowner, you have to adhere to the law in regards to maintaining your gas appliances and installation in good operating condition. That's why every property owner should get their gas safety certificate at least once per year. What exactly is a gas safety certificate? And who needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document that is issued by a licensed Gas Safe engineer after carrying an extensive examination of all gas appliances and flues within your rental home. The engineer will also ensure that the vents in 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. The Gas Safe Certificate will outline the results of your annual 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 home. The engineer will also state whether they believe the appliances to be safe for use or not, and give details of any work that must be done to ensure the safety of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll have to provide it to your current tenants within 28 days of receiving the service and provide it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure. If you don't comply you could face penalties or fines.
Although homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate, it's nevertheless a good idea to have one on an annual basis. This will not only put your mind at ease about the condition of your heating and gas appliances, but will help you spot any issues in advance. This can help you save money and time in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates are beneficial to potential buyers when you're selling your home. They can prove that you have taken care of all of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it can expedite the process of conveyancing as it will not require additional inspections.
Who requires a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all flues and gas appliances in your rental property are safe. This means you'll have to schedule regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is working properly.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. It is recommended to do this before your tenants move into the property or at the start of a new lease. You should keep an original copy of the document for yourself and keep records of any maintenance done to the gas appliances in your property.
Landlords are legally obliged to have their properties checked for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This applies to all homes with gas appliances that are owned by the landlord, as well as any appliances that are available for use by tenants.
If you are a landlord who does not have an official certificate of gas safety, you could face massive penalties (upto PS6,000) or legal action from your tenants, or even criminal charges. The biggest risk is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed as a result of faulty appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform the Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to inspect and service appliances and installations safely. Landlords can determine if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
It is very rare for a tenant to not allow access to the rental property to conduct 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 also that carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous if not detected promptly.
If the tenant is unwilling to let an engineer in, then the landlord may decide to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their lease. This should be accompanied by an explanation as to why they are being forced out. For instance, non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain an gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is necessary for landlords to prove their rented properties meet government regulations. However, some tenants might refuse to let gas engineers enter their homes for this reason which can be frustrating and unfair to landlords. Landlords must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers are not agents of the state and require access only to complete an essential, legally required piece of documentation. This will help to reduce the number of tenants who refuse to allow access for gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is satisfied that all appliances are safe to use they will issue a Landlord Gas Safety Record document. what is a gas safety certificate 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 must provide their existing tenants with a copy of this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the date that the check is completed. They must also give a new tenant one upon signing the tenancy agreement. The landlord should also make sure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in every room that has fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the property. The HSE website has more information for landlords, including free brochures and an Approved Code of Practice to Manage Gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If a landlord cannot gain access to their property in order to conduct the required gas security checks, they can make use of a section 21 notice to remove tenants, if needed. It is important to remember, however, that a section 21 notice can only be served if the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain entry to conduct the gas safety inspection and has maintained records of the attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the proper procedure for entry and attempts to evict tenants through illegal means, they could be accused of harassment and could face substantial fines from regulators.
Why do I require a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have a gas safety certification to ensure that the property they lease out is safe for tenants to live in. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. This means they have to make sure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good working condition.
This helps to prevent any accidents or fires that may be caused by defective appliances, while also reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can happen when an appliance isn't properly installed or maintained. It is important that landlords keep up to date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they can be fined for failing to do so.
Landlords must be able to show proof that they completed their annual gas safety inspections in a timely manner. They can prove this by checking their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining a copy of the latest certificate from the engineer who visited the property. If any of the appliances show as being dangerous or faulty the landlord has to get them fixed immediately to protect the health and safety of the tenants.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to grant access to their properties in order to conduct gas safety checks. It could be because they feel that it would violate their privacy, or are fighting with their landlord. It is an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter in which he explains why the gas safety inspection is required and what it's going to involve. This can be sent by recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant refuses to give the landlord access they should take further steps. This might include writing a Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction that will force them to allow access. This is a serious step which should be used only as a last resort.