Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is vital to remember that it is only landlords who are responsible for gas safety inspections. This applies to landlords of residential dwellings and those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords must demonstrate that the pipework and flues, as well as appliances, in their properties are safe before they put them on the market. This can be accomplished by obtaining an official gas safety certificate.
What is a gas safety certificate?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you have to follow the law in regards to keeping your gas appliances and installation in good operating condition. Every property owner should get their gas safety certificates at least once per calendar year. What exactly is a gas safety certification? 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 thorough inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also verify that the ventilation passages of your home are clean to prevent 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 gas appliances and installations that were examined and their manufacturer and model as well as their location within your property. The engineer will inform you whether the appliances are safe to use, and provide information about any work required to ensure your tenants' safety.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll need to give it to your current tenants within 28 days of receiving the service and give it to any new tenants at the start of their tenure. In the event of a delay, it could result in fines or even criminal prosecution, so it's vital to consider your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners do not require 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 about the state of your gas and heating appliances, but also help you detect any problems early. This can save you time and money in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates are useful to prospective buyers when selling your home. They can prove that you've taken care of all gas appliances and installations. It will also speed the process of conveyancing since it doesn'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 flues and gas appliances in your rental property are safe. This means you'll have to schedule regular inspections with an Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure that everything is working properly.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. This should be done ideally before your tenants move into the property or at the beginning of a new lease. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the certificate for yourself, and any documentation of the maintenance that was performed on your home's gas appliances.
The landlords' properties must be examined for gas safety at minimum once every 12months. 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're a landlord who doesn't possess a valid gas safety certificate and you're not licensed, you could be subject to massive fines (up to a maximum of PS6,000), court action from your tenants, or even a criminal charge. The greatest danger is that a tenant could be injured or even killed by defective appliances at your rental property.
The only person who are qualified to conduct a Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to check, service and test appliances and installations in a safe manner. Landlords can determine whether an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
It is not common for a tenant not to let access to the rental property to conduct a Gas Safety Check. However, it does happen. In these instances it is essential that the landlord informs the tenant why this is a mandatory requirement and how dangerous carbon monoxide may be if not detected on time.
If gas certificate continues to refuse to let an engineer into their home, the landlord should consider serving them with the Section 21 notice to end their lease. This should be accompanied with an explanation of why they're being removed. For example the non-payment of rent, or significant damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need an official gas safety certificate to ensure their rental properties comply with the laws of the government. However, some tenants might refuse to allow a gas engineer into their homes for this reason which can be frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords should ensure tenants know that gas engineers aren't spies, and they only need to enter their homes to sign a legally-required document. This will reduce the number of tenants who refuse to grant access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has conducted the necessary checks and is confident that all appliances are safe to use they will issue the Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This is also commonly known as a CP12 that 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 an original copy to current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the check is completed. A new tenant will receive an original copy of the check when they sign the tenancy contract. The landlord must also make sure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in each room with fixed combustion appliances, except for gas cookers. gas safety certificate cost should be installed on each floor of the property. Landlords can get more information on these requirements, including free leaflets 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 not able to gain access to their property to conduct the required gas safety checks, they can apply for a section 21 notice if necessary to evict tenants. It is important to note that a notice under section 21 can only be served if the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain entry to conduct the gas safety inspection and has kept records of these attempts. If a landlord does not follow the proper procedure for entry and attempts to expel tenants using illegal means, they may be accused of harassment and could face substantial fines from regulatory bodies.
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 lease is safe for tenants. This means they must get regular checks done by an approved gas engineer to make sure that all appliances are safe to use. Also, they should ensure that the gas pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order.
This helps to prevent any fires or accidents that may be caused by defective appliances, in addition to helping to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur when an appliance isn't properly installed or maintained. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to be current. They could be penalized if they don't.
Landlords must prove that their annual gas safety inspection has been carried out on time. This can be done 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 are identified as being dangerous or faulty the landlord has to get them repaired immediately to ensure the safety and health of the tenant.
Some landlords are unable to convince their tenants to grant access to their property in order to conduct gas safety inspections. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as the fact that they feel it's a violation of privacy or they are currently in a dispute with their landlord. It is an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter in which he explains why a gas safety check is needed and what it's going to involve. The letter can be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant should be given 14 days to respond.
If the tenant still refuses to allow the landlord access, they should consider taking additional steps. This could include a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. This is a very serious option which should be used only as a last resort.