Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that only landlords are responsible for the gas safety check. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties as well as those who lease rooms or holiday homes.
Landlords must be able to prove that the pipes and flues, as well as appliances, in their properties are safe before putting them up for sale. Gas safety certificates can assist you achieve this.
What is a gas safety certificate?
If you're a tenant or homeowner, you must to adhere to the law in regards to keeping your gas appliances and installation in good working order. This is why every property owner should get 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 full inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also ensure that all ventilation pathways are in good working order in your rental property to prevent the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations that were examined, along with their make and model, as well as the location of your home. The engineer will determine if the appliances are safe to use and provide details on the work required to ensure your tenants' safety.
You will have to give your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days of the service. You should also provide it to tenants who are new when they start their tenure. Failure to do this could result in fines, or even criminal prosecution, so it's vital to be aware of your obligations.
Although homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate to live in peace, it's recommended to obtain one every year. This will not just put your mind at rest about the condition of your heating and gas appliances, but will help you spot any problems early. This can save you time and money in the long run.
If you're planning to sell your house and are thinking of selling it, the 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 as it will not require any additional checks.
Who needs a gas safety certificate?
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that any gas appliances or flues within your rental property are safe for your tenants. This means that you'll need to arrange regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is in good working order.
You'll need to provide your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. Ideally, this will be completed before your tenants move in or at the start of any new leases. You should also keep the certificate for yourself, and any documentation of the maintenance that was carried out on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords must have their properties checked for gas safety at least once every 12months. This includes both the landlord's own gas appliances, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord that doesn't have a valid gas safety certification, you could face huge fines (up to a maximum of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or even an indictment. The greatest chance is that a tenant might be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental home.
The only ones who can conduct the 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 verify an engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card that has unique holograms on it.
It is rare for a tenant not to allow 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 them why this is a legal requirement and that carbon monoxide can be very dangerous if not detected in time.
If gas certificate is refusing to let an engineer in the property, then the landlord could decide to issue the option of a Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be accompanied with an explanation of the reason they're being evicted. For instance the non-payment of rent, or serious damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must have an official gas safety certificate to ensure that their rental properties meet the laws of the government. Some tenants will not let a gas engineer into their home for this purpose 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 essential legally-required piece of documentation. This will help reduce the number of tenants who are unable to access gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has carried out the necessary checks and is confident that the appliances are safe for use they will issue an Landlord Gas Safety Record document. It is also referred to as a CP12 which is a reference to 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 give a copy to their existing tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the check is completed. A new tenant will be provided with an original copy of the check when they sign the tenancy contract. The landlord must ensure that a carbon dioxide detector is installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, but not 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 perform the necessary gas safety checks, they can apply for a section 21 notice to evict tenants. It is important to remember, however, that a section 21 notice is only served when the landlord has had at least three attempts to gain access for the gas safety check and has maintained records of the attempts. If the landlord fails to follow the correct procedure and then tries to expel their tenants illegally, they may be found guilty of harassing and face heavy fines.
Why do I need a gas safety certification?
Landlords require an official gas safety certificate to ensure that the property they rent out is safe for tenants to live in. Gas engineers should conduct regular checks to ensure that all appliances are safe for use. This means they have to ensure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good working condition.
This will help to stop any fires, accidents or carbon monoxide poisoning that could result from faulty equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to keep current. They could be penalized if they don't.
Landlords must be able to prove that their annual gas safety inspection was completed on time. They can prove this by checking their Gas Safe register online, or by getting the most recent certificate from the person who visited the property. If any of the appliances show as dangerous or defective the landlord should have them repaired immediately to ensure the health and safety of the tenants.
Some landlords are unable to convince their tenants to grant them access to their property in order to conduct gas safety checks. It could be because they believe that it violates their privacy or are fighting with their landlord. It's recommended that the landlord write a letter which he explains why the gas safety inspection is required and what it will involve. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to respond.
If the tenant still refuses to give access to the landlord then they should consider taking additional steps. This could be the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. But, this is a serious decision that should only be considered as an option last option.