Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that only landlords are responsible for the gas safety inspection. This is true for landlords who own residential properties as well as those who rent rooms or other holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to prove that the pipes and flues, as well as appliances, within their properties are safe prior to putting them up for sale. This can be done by having the gas safety certificate.
What is a gas safety certification?
You must comply with the law, whether you're a landlord or a homeowner in maintaining your gas appliances and installations in a good in good working order. This is why every property owner should be issued a gas safety certificate at least once per year. What exactly is a gas safety certificate? Who needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document issued by a qualified Gas Safe engineer after carrying out a full inspection of all the gas appliances and flues that are in your rental property. The engineer will also verify that the vents in your properties are clear to avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide, which is a danger.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. It will list all of the gas appliances and installations, as well as their model, make and location within your home. The engineer will then indicate whether they believe the appliances to be safe for use or not, and provide details of any work that must be completed to ensure the security of your tenants.
You will need to provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days after the service. You should also provide it to tenants who are new when they start their tenure. Failure to do so could result in fines, or even criminal prosecution, so it's vital to be aware of your obligations.
Even though homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate to live in peace, it's a good thing to get one every year. Not only will this put your mind at ease regarding the health of your gas and heating appliances, but it can aid in identifying any issues early. This will save you time and money in the long run.
If you're thinking of selling your house If you're thinking of selling your home, the Gas Safety Certificate will prove very beneficial to potential buyers as it will demonstrate that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it can expedite the process of conveyancing because it won't require any additional checks.
Who needs an official certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe. You'll have to arrange for regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is working properly.
You'll need your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. It is best to have this completed before your current tenants move in or at the start of any new leases. It is also recommended to keep the certificate for yourself, as well as any records of the maintenance that was done on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords are required to have their properties examined for gas safety at minimum once every 12months. This includes all properties with gas appliances owned by the landlord and any appliances that are provided for use by tenants.
If you are a landlord who does not have a valid gas certificate safety, you could be subject to severe fines (upto PS6,000), legal action from your tenants or even criminal charges. The greatest risk is that a tenant might be injured or even killed by defective appliances in your rental property.
The only person who are qualified to conduct the Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe engineers are trained to check and service appliances and installations in a safe way. Landlords can verify whether an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It is unique. Hologram.
Although it's not uncommon for a tenant to deny access to their rental property to allow the Gas Safety Check, it is possible to do so. In these situations it's crucial for the landlord to explain to them the legal requirement and that carbon monoxide can be very dangerous if it is not detected in time.
If a tenant still won't allow an engineer to enter their home, the landlord should consider serving them with an Section 21 notice to end their tenure. This should be accompanied by an explanation of why they are being forced out. For instance, non-payment of rent or significant damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certification?
Landlords must have gas safety certificates to ensure their rental properties are in compliance with the regulations of the government. However, some tenants might refuse to let a gas engineer into their homes for this reason which can be frustrating and unfair to landlords. Landlords need to make sure tenants know that gas engineers aren't spying, and they only need access to their homes in order to complete a legally required document. This will help reduce the number of tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer when they have completed the necessary checks. 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 provide an original copy to current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the check is completed. A new tenant will be provided with one when they sign the tenancy contract. The landlord should also make sure that a carbon dioxide detector is installed in each room that has fixed combustion appliances, but not gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the property. The HSE website has more information for landlords, such as free leaflets along with an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances within a rental Property.
If a landlord is not able to gain access to their property to perform the necessary gas safety checks, they may apply for a section 21 notice to remove tenants, if needed. A notice of section 21 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 a record of the unsuccessful attempts. If a landlord does not follow the proper procedure for entry and attempts to evict tenants through illegal means, they may be found guilty of harassment and face hefty fines from regulatory bodies.
Why do I require a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must be issued an official certificate of gas safety to ensure that the house they rent is safe for tenants. This means they have to have regular checks performed by an accredited gas engineer to ensure that the appliances are safe to use. This means that they need to make sure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good condition.
This can help prevent accidents or fires that may result from faulty appliances, in addition to reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can happen when appliances aren't properly maintained or installed. gas safety certificate duplicate are important for landlords to ensure they are up-to-date. They can be penalized if they don't.
Landlords must be able to prove that they have completed their annual gas safety checks in time. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or obtain a copy from an engineer that visited the property. If any of the appliances are identified as being dangerous or faulty the landlord has to get them fixed immediately to protect the tenant's health and safety.
Some landlords may have difficulty convincing their tenants to allow them access the property for the gas safety inspections. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that they believe it's a violation of privacy or they are currently in dispute with their landlord. It is an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter which he explains why a gas safety inspection is required and what it will entail. This can be sent by recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant continues to refuse to let the landlord access, they should consider taking additional steps. This could include the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying an Injunction in court. This is a serious step which should be used only as an option last resort.