Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to remember that only landlords are accountable for the gas safety inspection. This is true for landlords who own residential properties and those who lease rooms or holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their property for sale landlords must show that the pipework and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can help in achieving this.
What is a gas safety certification?
You must abide by the law, whether you're a landlord or a homeowner in keeping your gas appliances and installations in good working condition. This is why every property owner needs to get their gas safety certificate at least once a year. What is a gas certificate? 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 the rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also ensure that the vents in your home are clean to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in your home.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list each of the gas appliances that were inspected and installations, including their model, make and the location of your property. The engineer will inform you whether the appliances are safe to use and provide information about the work required to ensure the safety of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll need to present it to your tenants who are currently residing in your home within 28 days of the service and give it to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy. If you fail to comply you could face charges or fines.
Even though homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate to live safely, it is still recommended to obtain one each year. This will not only put your mind at ease regarding the condition of your heating and gas appliances, but will help you identify any issues early. This can save you lots of money and stress in the long in the long.
If you're planning to sell your home, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove extremely useful to potential buyers because it will show that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. In addition, it can expedite the process of conveyancing because it won't require additional checks.
Who needs a certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues in your rental property are safe. You'll need to arrange for regular inspections from a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is functioning correctly.
After the inspection has been completed, you'll need a copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. It is recommended to do this prior to the time your tenants move in, or at the beginning of any new tenancy. Keep an original copy for yourself, as well as the records of any maintenance that was performed on the gas appliances in your home.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties checked for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This includes the landlord's gas appliances, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you are a landlord with a valid 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, however, is that one of your tenants could be injured or killed as a result of faulty appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform a Gas Safety check. This is because only they have been properly trained to examine and service gas appliances and installations. certificate cost can determine whether an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It is unique. Hologram.
It is very rare for a tenant not to allow access to the rental property in order to conduct an Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these instances it is crucial that the landlord explains to the tenant why this is a legal requirement and how dangerous carbon monoxide could be if not detected on time.
If a tenant is still refusing to let an engineer into their home the landlord should think about serving them with the Section 21 notice to end their lease. This should be followed by an explanation as to why they're being removed. For instance, non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to prove their properties that they rent meet the requirements of the government. Some tenants will refuse to allow a gas engineer in their residence for this reason which can be frustrating for landlords. Landlords should make sure to convey to their tenants that gas engineers are not spies and only need access to complete an important legally required document. This will help to reduce the number of tenants who are unable to give access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer after they have completed the necessary checks. It is also known as a CP12, which 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 this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the time the check is completed and give the new tenant a copy on 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, except for gas cookers. Smoke alarms must be installed on each floor of the property. Landlords can find more information about these requirements, including free brochures and an Approved Code of Practice for the management of gas Installations and Appliances in a rental Property (Appendix 3), on the HSE website.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to their property to carry out the necessary gas security checks, they can make use of a section 21 notice to expel tenants, if needed. It is important to remember, however, that a section 21 notice can only be served if the landlord has made at least three attempts to gain access for the gas safety check and has kept records of the attempts. If the landlord fails to follow the correct procedure and then tries to expel their tenants unlawfully they could be accused of harassment and face heavy fines.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must be issued a certificate of gas safety to ensure that the house they rent is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe for use. This means that they need to make sure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good condition.
This helps to prevent any accidents or fires which could be caused by faulty appliances, as well as aiding in reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning which can occur when an appliance isn't properly installed or maintained. It is essential that landlords stay up to date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be penalized for failing to do so.
Landlords must be able to show proof that they completed their annual gas safety inspections on time. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer that visited the property. The landlord is required to repair any appliances that are dangerous or faulty immediately to protect tenant's safety.
Some landlords may be having difficulty persuading tenants to allow them access the house for gas safety inspections. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as the fact that they believe it's an invasion of privacy or that they are currently in dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it's recommended for the landlord to send a strongly worded letter explaining the reason why the gas safety inspections are required and what they'll entail. The letter can be sent via recorded delivery and will give the tenant 14 days to respond.
If the tenant is still refusing to allow the landlord access, they should consider taking another step. This could include the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. But, this is a very serious option that should only be considered as an option last resort.