Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to remember that it is only landlords that are accountable for gas safety inspections. This is the case for landlords of residential dwellings as well as those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to prove that the pipework, appliances and flues in their homes are safe before putting them on the market. Gas safety certificates can help in achieving this.
What is a Gas Safety Certification?
You must adhere to the law, regardless of whether you're a landlord or homeowner, when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installations in a good in good working order. Every property owner should get their gas safety certificates at least once in a calendar year. What is a gas safety certificate? And who is the person who requires 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 an exhaustive inspection of all the gas appliances and flues within your rental home. The engineer will also ensure that the vents in your home are clean to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list each of the inspected gas appliances and installations, along with their make, model and location within your home. The engineer will determine if the appliances are safe to use, and will provide information on the work required 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. You should also provide it to tenants who are new when they start their tenancy. If you don't comply, you could face penalties or fines.
Although homeowners do not require a Gas Safety Certificate to live in safety, it's a good thing to get one each year. This will not just put your mind at ease regarding the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but can help you spot any issues in advance. This could help you save money and stress in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates are useful to prospective buyers when you're selling your house. They can show that you've taken care of all gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it will expedite the process of conveyancing because it won't require additional checks.
Who needs an official certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe for your tenants. You'll need to arrange for regular inspections from an Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is functioning correctly.
After the inspection has been completed, you'll need an original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. It is best to have this done before your current tenants move in or at the start of any new leases. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the certificate for yourself as well as any records of any maintenance work that you have done on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally obliged to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least once every 12 months. This applies to all homes with gas appliances that are owned by the landlord, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord and don't possess a valid gas safety certificate and you're not licensed, you could be subject to huge fines (up to a maximum of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or the possibility of a criminal charge. The greatest risk is that a tenant may be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to conduct a Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe engineers are trained to inspect and service appliances and installations in a safe manner. Landlords can determine if 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 to not let access to the rental property to perform the Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these situations it is essential that the landlord explains to the tenant the reason why this is a mandatory requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide can be if not detected on time.
If the tenant is unwilling to let an engineer in the property, then the landlord could be tempted to issue an Section 21 notice that ends their tenancy. This is to be accompanied by a written explanation of the reason they're being forced out for non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain an gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to show that their rented properties meet the requirements of the government. Some tenants are reluctant to allow a gas engineer in their house for this purpose and this can be a source of frustration for landlords. Landlords should ensure tenants know that gas engineers aren't spying, and they only need to access their homes to sign a legally-required document. This will reduce the number tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer when the required checks. It is also referred to as a CP12, which stands for 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 provide their current tenants with a copy this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the check being completed. They must also give a new tenant one upon signing the lease. The landlord must also make sure that a carbon dioxide detector is installed in each room that has fixed combustion appliances, except for gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on each floor of the property. Landlords can find 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 their property to perform the necessary gas safety inspections, they can make use of the section 21 notice if necessary to expel tenants. A notice of section 21 is only valid if the landlord has made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property to conduct the gas safety test and kept a record of the attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the correct procedure and then tries to expel tenants without a valid reason they could be accused of harassment and face heavy fines.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certification?
Landlords require a gas safety certificate to ensure that the home they rent out is safe for tenants to reside in. This means that they must have regular checks performed by a registered gas engineer to ensure that the appliances are safe to use. This means that they must to make sure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good working in good working order.
This helps to prevent any fires or accidents that could result from faulty appliances, in addition to helping to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning that can happen when appliances aren't properly installed or maintained. It is essential that landlords are up to date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be penalized for not doing so.
Landlords must demonstrate that their annual gas safety test was carried out in a timely manner. gas safety certificate how often can check your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer who visited the property. The landlord is required to repair any appliances that are dangerous or malfunctioning immediately to ensure the safety of the tenant.
Some landlords may be having difficulty convincing their tenants to let them access the house for gas safety checks. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as the fact that they believe it's a violation of privacy or that they are currently in a dispute with their landlord. It is a good idea to have the landlord write a letter which he explains why the gas safety inspection is required and what it will involve. The 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 further action. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. This is a serious step which should only be used in the last resort.