Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that only landlords are accountable for the gas safety inspection. This applies to landlords who own residential properties and those who lease rooms or other holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their homes for sale landlords must prove that the pipework and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. This can be accomplished with a gas safety certificate.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
You must comply with the law, whether you're a landlord or a homeowner, when it comes to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in good in good working order. Every property owner must obtain their gas safety certificates at least once a calendar year. But what exactly is a gas safety certification? And who needs gas safety certificate for landlords ?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also called a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document that is issued by a licensed Gas Safe engineer after carrying an exhaustive inspection of all gas appliances and flues within your rental home. The engineer will also ensure that the ventilation passages of your properties are clear to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in your home.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations, including their make, model, and location in your property. The engineer will determine if the appliances are safe to use and provide information about 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 must also give it to new tenants once they start their tenancy. If you don't comply you could face fines or criminal prosecution.
Although homeowners do not need a Gas Safety Certificate, it's still a good idea to get one annually. Not only will this make you feel more comfortable regarding the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but it can also help you catch any problems early on. This could save you a lot of money and stress in the long term.
If you're thinking of selling your house If you're thinking of selling your home, the Gas Safety Certificate will prove very beneficial to potential buyers since it can prove that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it will accelerate the process of selling since it doesn't require additional inspections.
Who is in need of a certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home are safe for your tenants. You'll need to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered technician to make sure that everything is operating properly.
You'll need your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. Ideally, this will be completed prior to when your current tenants move in or at the beginning of any new leases. It is also recommended to keep the certificate for yourself and any documentation of the maintenance that was carried out on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties checked for gas safety at least every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's personal gas appliances, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord that doesn't possess a valid gas safety certification, you could face hefty fines (up to a maximum of PS6,000) and court actions from your tenants, or even an indictment. The biggest risk, however, 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 conduct the Gas Safety check. This is because only they have been properly trained to examine, service and test gas appliances and installations. Landlords can verify whether an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It is unique. Hologram.
It is not common for a tenant not to permit access to the rental property to perform a Gas Safety Check. However it happens. In these situations it's crucial for the landlord to explain to the tenant the legal requirement and how carbon monoxide can be very dangerous if it is not detected at the right time.
If the tenant is unwilling to let an engineer in the property, then the landlord could consider giving them the option of a Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be accompanied by a description of the reason they're being evicted, such as non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certificate?
Landlords require a gas safety certificate to prove their rental properties meet the regulations of the government. However, some tenants might not allow gas engineers into their homes for this reason which can be frustrating and unfair to landlords. Landlords must ensure that tenants know that gas engineers aren't spies, and they only need access to their homes in order in order to fill out a legally required document. This will reduce the number of tenants who are unable to give access to gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has carried out the necessary checks and is sure that the appliances are safe for use, they will issue an Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This is also known as a CP12 which is a reference to CORGI Proforma 12 CORGI was previously the Council for Registered Gas Installers, but was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
The landlord must provide a copy to their existing tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the check is completed. A new tenant will be provided with one when they sign the tenancy contract. The landlord must also make sure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, except for gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor 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 not able to gain access to the property to conduct the required gas safety checks, they can apply for a section 21 notice if necessary to expel tenants. It is important to note, however, 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 maintained records of the attempts. If a landlord fails follow the proper procedure for entry and attempts to expel tenants using unlawful means, they could be found guilty of harassment and face heavy fines from regulatory bodies.
Why do I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have an official certificate of gas safety to ensure that the house they lease is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must conduct regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. This means that they must to make sure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good in good working order.
This helps to prevent any accidents or fires which could be caused by defective appliances, as well as aiding in reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning that can happen when an appliance isn't properly maintained or installed. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to keep current. They can be penalized for not doing so.
Landlords must be able to show proof that they carried out their annual gas safety checks in a timely manner. They can do this by reviewing their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining a copy of the latest certificate from the person who visited the property. The landlord must fix any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure tenant's safety.
Some landlords may have trouble persuading tenants to allow them access to the house for gas safety checks. It could be because they believe that it violates their privacy or are fighting with their landlord. It is recommended that the landlord write a letter which he explains why a gas safety check is necessary and what it will involve. The letter can be delivered by recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to reply.
If the tenant does not allow access to the landlord, they must take additional steps. This might include writing a 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 taken as an option last resort.