Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is essential to remember that only landlords are responsible 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.
Before they can put their homes for sale landlords must prove that the plumbing and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can help you to achieve this.
What is a Gas Safety Certification?
If you're a tenant or homeowner, you have to comply with the law when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installations in good operating condition. gas safety certificate homeowner 's why every property owner must obtain their gas safety certificate at least once a year. What exactly is a gas safety certification? Who really needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document that is issued by a qualified Gas Safe engineer after carrying an extensive inspection of all the gas appliances and flues that are in your rental property. The engineer will also ensure that the vents in your properties are clear to prevent the build-up of carbon monoxide, which is a danger.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all of the gas appliances that were inspected and installations, including their model, brand, and location in your property. The engineer will state whether the appliances are safe to use, and provide information about any work needed to ensure your tenants' safety.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll need to present it to your tenants who are currently residing in your home within 28 days of receiving the service and provide it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. Failure to do so could result in fines or even criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to consider your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners don't need to have a Gas Safety Certificate, it's an excellent idea to have one on an annual basis. Not only will this make you feel more comfortable regarding the health of your heating and gas appliances, but it could also help you spot any issues early. This can help you save money and time in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates can be extremely beneficial to potential buyers when you're selling your house. They can prove that you've taken good care of all your gas appliances and installations. In addition, it can speed up the conveyancing process since it doesn't require additional checks.
Who requires an attestation of gas safety?
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe. You'll need to schedule regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is functioning correctly.
Once the inspection is complete, you'll need a copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. It is best to have this completed prior to when your tenants move in or at the start of any new leases. Keep a copy of the document for yourself and keep records of any maintenance performed on the gas appliances in your home.
Landlords are legally required to have their homes inspected for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's own gas appliances, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord and don't have a valid gas safety certificate and you're not licensed, you could be subject to hefty penalties (up to PS6,000), court action from your tenants or the possibility of a criminal charge. The biggest danger, however, is that one of your tenants could be injured or killed due to faulty appliances in your rental property.
The only person who can conduct the Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to examine and service appliances and installations safely. Landlords can verify if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
While it's uncommon for a tenant to deny access to their rental property in order to allow the Gas Safety Check, it is possible to do so. In these instances it is crucial that the landlord explains to the tenant why it is a obligation and how harmful carbon monoxide can be if it is not detected on time.
If a tenant still won't allow an engineer to enter their home, the landlord should consider giving them a Section 21 notice to end their lease. This is to be accompanied by a written explanation of the reason they're being forced out in the first place, such as not paying rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must have gas safety certificates to ensure that their rental properties comply with the regulations of the government. However, some tenants might refuse to let a gas engineer into their homes for this reason - which is frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords should try to convey to their tenants that gas engineers aren't spies and only need access to complete an essential legally-required piece of documentation. This will decrease the number of tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer when he has completed the necessary checks. This document is also known as a CP12 which is a reference to 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 their existing tenants with a copy this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the date that the check is completed. They must also give an applicant an original copy when they sign the tenancy agreement. 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. The HSE website has more details for landlords, including free brochures 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 can use a section 21 notice to remove tenants, if needed. It is important to note that a notice under section 21 is only valid when the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain access to conduct the gas safety inspection and has maintained records of these attempts. If a landlord does not follow the correct procedure for entry and then tries to expel tenants using illegal means, they could be accused of harassment and face hefty fines from regulators.
Why do I require a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must have a gas safety certification to ensure that the home they lease out is safe for tenants to reside in. Gas engineers must conduct regular checks to make sure that all appliances are safe for use. This means they have to make sure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good working condition.
This can help prevent accidents or fires that could result from faulty appliances, as well as reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning which can occur when appliances aren't properly installed or maintained. It is important that landlords are up to date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be fined for failing to do so.
Landlords must be able to show that their annual gas safety test has been carried out on time. You can check your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer that visited the property. If any of the appliances are identified as dangerous or defective, the landlord must get them repaired as soon as possible to protect the tenant's health and safety.
Some landlords may have difficulty persuading tenants to allow them access the house for gas safety inspections. It may be because they feel that it violates their privacy or are fighting with their landlord. If this is the case, it's an ideal idea for the landlord to write an extremely clear letter explaining the reason why the gas safety inspections are required and what they will entail. This letter could be delivered by recorded delivery, and the tenant should have 14 days to reply.
If the tenant refuses to give access to the landlord, they should take further steps. This could include drafting an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction to force them to allow access. This is a serious measure that should only be considered in the last option.