Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that only landlords are accountable for ensuring the safety of gas. This is the case for landlords of residential dwellings as well as those who lease rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords must prove that the pipes, appliances and flues in their properties are safe before putting them up for sale. Gas safety certificates can assist in achieving this.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
You must abide by the law, regardless of whether you're a landlord, or homeowner, when it comes to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in a good 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 certificate? Who needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document that is issued by a licensed Gas Safe engineer after carrying out a full inspection of all gas appliances and flues that are in your rental property. The engineer will also check that all ventilation passages are free of obstructions in your rental properties to prevent dangerous carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all the inspected gas appliances and installations, along with their model, brand and location within your property. The engineer will inform you whether the appliances are safe to use and provide details on any work needed to ensure the safety of your tenants.
You will have to give your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days following the service. It is also required to provide it to new tenants once they start their tenancy. Failure to do this could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's vital to be aware of your obligations.
Although homeowners do not require a Gas Safety Certificate to live in peace, it's recommended to obtain one each year. This will not only set your mind at ease about the state of your heating and gas appliances, but will help you spot any issues in advance. This could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates are useful for potential buyers when you're selling your home. They can show that you've taken good care of all your gas appliances and installations. In addition, it can expedite the process of conveyancing since it doesn't require additional inspections.
Who requires an attestation of gas safety?
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that any gas appliances or flues in your rental property are safe for your tenants. You'll need to arrange for regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is working correctly.
You'll need your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. It is best to have this done before your new tenants move in, or at the beginning of any new tenancies. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the certificate for yourself as well as any records of maintenance performed on your home's gas appliances.
Landlords are required to have their properties checked for gas safety at least every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's personal gas appliances and any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you are a landlord without a valid gas certificate safety, you could be subject to massive penalties (upto PS6,000) or legal action from your tenants, or even criminal charges. The biggest risk is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed as a result of defective appliances in your rental property.
The only ones who are qualified to conduct a Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. This is because only they have been properly trained to 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 is unique. Hologram.
It is not common for a tenant not to let access to the rental property in order to perform an Gas Safety Check. However, it does happen. In these situations it's crucial for the landlord to explain the legal requirement and also that carbon monoxide is extremely hazardous if not discovered at the right time.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow an engineer in and the landlord is not willing to let an engineer in, then the landlord might consider giving them the option of a Section 21 notice that ends their lease. This must be accompanied by a description of the reason they're being removed, such as non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certification?
Landlords must have gas safety certificates to ensure their rental properties comply with the laws of the government. However, some tenants might not allow gas engineers into their homes for this purpose - which is frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords should 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 document. This will reduce the number of tenants who are unable to grant access to gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is sure that all appliances are safe to use, they will issue an Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This is also known as a CP12 which 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 one when they sign the tenancy contract. The landlord should also make sure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in each room that has fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on each floor of the property. The HSE website provides more information for landlords, including free brochures along with an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If a landlord cannot gain access to their property in order to carry out the necessary gas safety checks, they can apply for a section 21 notice to remove tenants, if needed. It is important to keep in mind, however, that a section 21 notice is only valid if the landlord has had at least three attempts to gain entry for the gas safety check and has kept records of the attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the correct procedure for entry and then tries to evict tenants through illegal means, they may be found guilty of harassment and could face substantial fines from regulatory bodies.
Why do I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have a gas safety certification to ensure that the home they rent out is safe for tenants to reside in. This means they must regularly check with an accredited gas engineer to ensure that all appliances are safe to use. Also, they should ensure that the gas pipework, appliances and flues are all in good working order.
This helps to prevent any fires or accidents that could be caused by faulty appliances, as well as reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can happen if an appliance isn't properly maintained or installed. It is essential that landlords keep current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be penalized if they don't.
Landlords must be able to demonstrate that they completed their annual gas safety checks on time. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer that visited the property. The landlord has to fix any appliances that are unsafe or malfunctioning immediately to ensure tenant's safety.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to allow them access to their properties in order to conduct gas safety checks. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that they feel it's an invasion of privacy or they are currently in dispute with their landlord. It's a good idea to have the landlord write a letter which he explains why a gas safety check is needed and what it's going to involve. This letter can be delivered by recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to respond.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow access to the landlord, they must take further action. This could involve writing an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction that will force the tenant to allow access. This is a serious measure that should only be considered only as a last resort.