Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that it is only landlords who are responsible for gas safety inspections. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties and those who rent rooms or holiday homes.
Landlords must prove that the pipes and flues, as well as appliances, within their properties are safe before they put them up for sale. This can be done by having the gas safety certificate.
What is a gas safety certification?
You must adhere to the law, whether you are a landlord or a homeowner in maintaining your gas appliances and installations in good condition. That's why every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificate at least once a year. What is a gas safety 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 a Gas Safe engineer who has completed a thorough inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also ensure that all ventilation pathways are free of obstructions within your rental property to avoid dangerous carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all gas appliances and installations that were inspected, along with their make, model and location within your home. The engineer will inform you whether the appliances are safe to use and will provide information on any work required 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 the service and provide it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure. If you don't follow the rules you could face penalties or fines.
Although homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate to live in peace, it's a good thing to get one every year. This will not only set your mind at ease about the state of your gas and heating appliances, but will help you spot any issues early. This could help you save money and stress in the long run.
If you're planning to sell 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 can also speed up the conveyancing as it doesn't require any additional checks.
Who is in need of a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that any gas appliances or flues that are in your rental home are safe for your tenants. This means you'll have to schedule regular inspections with an Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is in good working order.
After the inspection has been completed, you'll need the original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done prior to the time your tenants move in or at the start of a new tenancy. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the certificate for yourself, along with any records of any maintenance work that you have done on your property's gas appliances.
The landlords' properties must be checked for gas safety at a minimum once every 12months. This applies to all homes with gas appliances that are owned by the landlord as well as any appliances provided for use by tenants.
If you are a landlord who does not have a valid certificate of gas safety, you could face massive fines (upto PS6,000) or legal action from your tenants or even criminal charges. The biggest risk, however, is that one of your tenants could be injured or killed as a result of defective appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform the Gas Safety check. This is because they are trained to safely examine and service gas appliances and installations. Landlords can verify an engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card, which has a unique hologram on it.
While it's uncommon for tenants to deny access to their rental property in order to allow the Gas Safety Check, it is possible to do so. In these instances it is crucial that the landlord informs the tenant why it is a requirement and how dangerous carbon monoxide may be if not detected in time.
If the tenant refuses to allow an engineer into the property the property, then the landlord could be tempted to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their tenancy. This must be accompanied by a description of the reason they're being removed, such as non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is required for landlords to prove their properties are in compliance with the requirements 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 must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers are not spying and are only required to complete an important legally-required piece of documentation. This will reduce the number tenants who deny access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer once he has completed the necessary checks. This is also commonly known as a CP12, which stands for CORGI Proforma 12. CORGI used to be the Council for Registered Gas Installers However, it was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
The landlord must provide their existing tenants with a copy of the document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the check being completed. They must also give a new tenant an original copy when they sign the lease. The landlord should also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed in each room used as 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, including free leaflets and an Approved Code of Practice to Manage Gas Installations and Appliances within a Rental Property.
If landlord gas safety certificate how often cannot gain access to their property to perform the necessary gas safety checks, they may make use of a section 21 notice to remove the tenants, if appropriate. A notice of section 21 is only valid if the landlord made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property for the gas safety test and kept a record of the attempts. If a landlord does not adhere to the proper procedure for entry and then tries to expel tenants using unlawful means, they could be accused of harassment and face heavy fines from regulatory bodies.
Why do I require a gas safety certification?
Landlords need to have an approved certificate of gas safety to ensure that the home they lease is safe for tenants. Gas engineers should conduct regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe for use. It also means that they should 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, as well as reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur if an appliance isn't properly installed or maintained. It is important that landlords stay current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they can be fined for failing to do so.
Landlords need to be able prove that they have carried out their annual gas safety inspections on time. You can check your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer who visited the property. The landlord has to fix any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure the safety of tenants.
Some landlords are unable to convince their tenants to grant them access to their properties in order to conduct gas safety checks. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as the fact that they believe it's a violation of privacy or they are currently in dispute with their landlord. It is a good idea to have the landlord write a letter which he explains why the gas safety check is necessary and what it will entail. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and will give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant still refuses to allow the landlord access the landlord should think about taking another step. This could be the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. But, this is a serious step that should only be taken as a last option.