Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that only landlords are responsible for the gas safety inspection. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties and those who lease rooms or holiday homes.
Landlords must be able to prove that the pipes, appliances and flues within their properties are safe prior to putting them up for sale. Gas safety certificates can help you achieve this.
What is a gas safety certificate?
You must comply with the law, regardless of whether you are a landlord or homeowner in keeping your gas appliances and installations in a good in good working order. This is why every property owner must obtain their gas safety certificate at least once a year. What is a gas certificate? Who is the one who needs one?
Gas Safe Certificates, also known by the name Landlord Gas Safety Record are official documents issued by an official Gas Safe engineer who has completed a full inspection of the rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also verify that the ventilation passages in your properties are clear to avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide, which is a danger.
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 inspected, along with their make, model and location within your home. The engineer will state whether the appliances are safe to use and will provide information on any work needed to ensure your tenants' safety.
You will have to give 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 begin their tenure. If you don't comply with the requirements, you could be subject to penalties or fines.
Although homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate, it's nevertheless a good idea to have one annually. This will not just put your mind at ease regarding the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but also help you detect any problems early. This can help you save money and time in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates are extremely beneficial to potential buyers when selling your home. They can show that you've taken good care of all your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it can accelerate the process of selling because it won't require any additional checks.
Who is in need of a certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances and flues in your rental property are safe. This means that you'll need to schedule regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is in good working order.
Once the inspection is complete and you're ready to get a copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done ideally prior to your tenants moving into the property or at the beginning of a new lease. It is also recommended to keep the certificate for yourself, along with any records of maintenance performed on your home's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least once every 12 months. This includes the landlord's gas appliances, as well as any appliances provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord that doesn't have a valid gas safety certification and you're not licensed, you could be subject to massive penalties (up to PS6,000), court action from your tenants or the possibility of a criminal charge. The most significant risk is that a tenant could be injured or even killed by defective appliances at your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to conduct an Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to check, service and test appliances and installations in a safe manner. Landlords can verify if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
While it's uncommon for tenants to deny access to their rental property to allow a Gas Safety Check, it could happen. In these situations it is essential that the landlord explains to the tenant the reason why this is a mandatory requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide may be if not detected on time.
If the tenant is refusing to let an engineer in and the landlord is not willing to let an engineer in, then the landlord might decide to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their tenancy. This should be accompanied by an explanation as to why they are being forced out. For example, non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I get an gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is necessary for landlords to prove their rented properties meet government regulations. However, some tenants might not allow gas engineers enter their homes for this reason which is a source of frustration and unfair for landlords. Landlords must try to convey to their tenants that gas technicians are not spies and only need access to complete a vital legally-required document. This will reduce the number tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is confident 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 is a reference to CORGI Proforma 12. CORGI was once the Council for Registered Gas Installers However, it was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
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 and give a new tenant a copy on signing the tenancy agreement. The landlord should also ensure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms must be installed on each floor of the property. The HSE website has more information for landlords, such as free leaflets as well as an Approved Code of Practice to Manage Gas Installations and Appliances within a Rental Property.
If a landlord cannot gain access to their property to conduct the required gas security checks, they can make use of a section 21 notice to remove tenants, if necessary. It is important to remember that a notice under section 21 can only be served when the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain access for the gas safety check and has kept a record of these attempts. If a landlord fails to adhere to the proper procedure for entry and attempts to evict tenants through unlawful means, they could be accused of harassment and could face substantial fines from regulators.
Why do I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords require a gas safety certificate to ensure that the home they rent out is safe for tenants to live in. This means they have to get regular checks done by an approved gas engineer to ensure that the appliances are safe to use. This also means that they must ensure that the gas pipework, appliances and flues are all in good working order.
This helps prevent accidents or fires which could result from faulty appliances, in addition to helping to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning, that can happen when appliances aren't properly maintained or installed. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to be current. They can be fined when they don't.
Landlords have to show proof that they completed their annual gas safety checks in time. They can prove this by reviewing their Gas Safe register online, or by getting an original copy of the most recent certificate from the person who visited the property. If any of the appliances are identified as being dangerous or faulty, the landlord must get them repaired immediately to ensure the health and safety of the tenants.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to grant access to the property in order to conduct gas safety inspections. It may be because they feel that it violates their privacy, or they are fighting with their landlord. If this is the case, it is recommended to ask the landlord to write a strongly worded letter explaining the reason why the gas safety inspections are necessary and what they'll mean. This letter could be delivered via recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to respond.
If the tenant refuses to give access to the landlord, they should take further steps. This could be the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. This is a serious step that should only be considered in the last resort.