Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to remember that it is only landlords who are responsible for gas safety checks. This is true for landlords who own residential properties and those who lease rooms or holiday homes.
Before they can put their property on the market landlords must demonstrate that the pipework and appliances in their homes are safe. This can be done by having an official gas safety certificate.
What is a Gas Safety Certification?
You must abide by the law, whether you're a landlord, or a homeowner in keeping your gas appliances and installations in good condition. Every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificates at least once per calendar year. 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 ensure that all ventilation passages are clear in your rental properties to prevent dangerous carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the inspected gas appliances and installations, including their make, model, and location in your property. The engineer will state whether the appliances are safe to use, and provide details on any 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 must also give it to tenants who are new when they start their lease. Failure to do so could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to take your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners do not need a Gas Safety Certificate, it's still a good idea to obtain one on an annual basis. This will not just put your mind at ease about the state of your gas and heating appliances, but can help you spot any issues in advance. This will help you save money and time in the long run.
If you're planning to sell your house, you should get a Gas Safety Certificate will prove extremely useful to potential buyers since it can prove that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. In addition, it can expedite the process of conveyancing because it won't require additional inspections.
Who needs an attestation of gas safety?
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances or flues that are in your rental home are safe for your tenants. You'll have to arrange for regular inspections from a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is working correctly.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. It is recommended that this be completed prior to when your current tenants move in or at the start of any new leases. Keep the copy for yourself as well as records of any maintenance performed on the gas appliances in your property.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This applies to all properties that have gas appliances that are owned by the landlord, and any appliances that are available to tenants.
If you are a landlord without a valid certificate of gas safety, you may face massive fines (upto PS6,000), legal action from your tenants, or even criminal charges. The biggest danger is that a tenant may be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental home.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform the Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to examine, service and test appliances and installations in a safe manner. Landlords can check the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking at their ID card, which has a unique hologram on it.
It is not common for a tenant to not let access to the rental property in order to conduct the Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these situations it is crucial for the landlord to explain to the tenant the legal requirement and that carbon monoxide could be extremely hazardous if not discovered in time.
If a tenant is still refusing to allow an engineer to enter their home, the landlord should consider serving them with the Section 21 notice to end their tenancy. This should be accompanied with an explanation as to why they're being evicted. For example rent arrears, non-payment or severe damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certification?
Landlords need an official gas safety certificate to ensure that their rental properties comply with the laws of the government. Some tenants will refuse to let a gas engineer into their residence for this reason which can be frustrating for landlords. Landlords must ensure that tenants know that gas engineers aren't spying and only need to enter their homes to sign a legally-required document. This will decrease the number of tenants who are unable to access gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer once they have completed the necessary checks. This is also commonly known 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 is required to provide their existing tenants with a copy the document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the check being completed. The landlord must also provide the new tenant a copy on signing the lease. The landlord should ensure that carbon dioxide detectors are 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, including free leaflets as well as an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If gas safety certificate near me is not able to 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 the tenants, if appropriate. A section 21 notice is only valid if the landlord made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property for the gas safety test and kept records of the unsuccessful attempts. If a landlord fails adhere to the proper procedure for entry and attempts to evict their tenants by illegal means, they could be found guilty of harassment and face hefty fines from regulatory bodies.
Why do I require a gas safety certificate?
Landlords require a gas safety certification to ensure the property they lease out is safe for tenants to live 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 also means that they must ensure that the gas pipework, appliances, and flues are all in good working order.
This will help to avoid any fires, accidents, or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by defective equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to ensure they are up-to-date. They could be penalized if they don't.
Landlords must be able to prove that they have carried out their annual gas safety inspections in time. They can prove this by checking their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining a copy of the latest certificate from the engineer who visited the property. If any of the appliances are identified as dangerous or defective the landlord should have them repaired immediately to ensure the health and safety of the tenants.
Some landlords have difficulty convincing their tenants to allow them access to their properties in order to conduct gas safety inspections. It may be because they feel that it would violate their privacy, or they are in a dispute with their landlord. It is an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter which he explains why a gas safety check is necessary and what it will entail. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant does not give the landlord access they must take 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 a last resort.