Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is crucial to keep in mind that it is only landlords who are responsible for gas safety checks. This applies to landlords of residential dwellings and those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to demonstrate that the pipes, appliances and flues in their properties are safe prior to putting them on the market. Gas safety certificates can assist in achieving this.
What is a gas safety certification?
Whether you're a landlord or homeowner, you must to comply with the law in regards to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in good working order. Every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificates at least once a calendar year. But what exactly 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 an official Gas Safe engineer who has completed a full inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also check that all ventilation passages are in good working order in your rental properties to prevent dangerous carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will provide the results of your annual inspection. It will list all gas appliances and installations that were inspected, along with their make and model as well as their location within your property. The engineer will then indicate whether they believe the appliances to be safe to use or not, and will give details of the work that needs to be done to ensure the security of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll need to present it to your current tenants within 28 days of the service and also give it to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy. If you fail to comply you could face fines or criminal prosecution.
While homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate, it's an excellent idea to get one on an annual basis. This will not only put your mind at ease regarding the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but also help you detect any issues early. This will save you time and money in the long-term.
Gas Safety Certificates are extremely useful for potential buyers when selling your home. They can prove that you've taken care of all your gas appliances and installations. It can also speed the process of selling as it does not require any additional checks.
Who requires a certificate of gas safety?
As can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate , it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe for your tenants. This means you'll have to arrange regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is working properly.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. It is best to have this done before your tenants move in or at the start of any new tenancies. Keep the certificate for yourself, along with any records of maintenance done on your property's gas appliances.
The landlords' properties must be examined for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This applies to all homes with gas appliances owned by the landlord as well as any appliances that are available for use by tenants.
If you are a landlord who does not have an official certificate of gas safety, you could face massive penalties (upto PS6,000) and legal action from your tenants, or even criminal charges. The most significant danger is that a tenant could be injured or even killed by defective appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to conduct an Gas Safety check. This is because they have been trained to safely inspect gas appliances and installations. Landlords are able to check if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
Although it's not uncommon for a tenant to deny access to their rental property in order to allow the Gas Safety Check, it could happen. In these instances it is essential that the landlord informs the tenant why it is a obligation and how harmful carbon monoxide may be if not detected in time.
If the tenant is refusing to let an engineer in and the landlord is not willing to let an engineer in, then the landlord might consider giving them an Section 21 notice that ends their lease. This should be followed by an explanation as to why they are being forced out. For instance the non-payment of rent, or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certification?
Landlords require gas safety certificates to ensure their rental properties are in compliance with the laws of the government. However, some tenants might refuse to let gas engineers into their homes for this reason - which is frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers aren't spies and only need access to complete a vital, legally required piece of documentation. This will decrease the number of tenants who deny access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has carried out the necessary checks and is satisfied that all appliances are safe to use, they will issue the Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This is also known as a CP12 which stands for CORGI Proforma 12 CORGI was previously the Council for Registered Gas Installers However, it was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
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 agreement. The landlord must also make sure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the property. Landlords can find more information on 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 cannot gain access to their property in order to conduct the required gas safety checks, they may make use of a section 21 notice to expel tenants, if necessary. A section 21 notice is only valid if the landlord has made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property for the gas safety test and kept records of the attempts. If a landlord does not follow the proper procedure for entry and then tries to expel tenants using unlawful means, they could be found guilty of harassment and face heavy fines from regulatory bodies.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must have a certificate of gas safety to ensure that the property they rent is safe for tenants. This means they have to regularly check with an approved gas engineer to make sure that any appliances are safe to use. It also means that they should ensure that the gas pipework, appliances and flues are all in good working order.
This will stop any fires, accidents or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by faulty equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to ensure they are up-to-date. They could be penalized for not doing so.
Landlords need to be able show proof that they carried out their annual gas safety inspections in a timely manner. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or obtain a copy from an engineer that visited the property. The landlord must fix any appliances that are dangerous or defective immediately to ensure tenant's safety.
Some landlords may have trouble persuading tenants to allow them access to the property for the gas safety inspections. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that they believe it's an invasion of privacy or they are currently in a dispute with their landlord. It's an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter which he explains the reason why the gas safety check is needed and what it will involve. The letter can be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to reply.
If the tenant refuses to allow access to the landlord, they should take further action. This could include drafting a Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction to force the tenant to allow access. This is a serious step which should only be used only in the case of a last option.