Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to remember that only landlords are responsible for the gas safety inspection. This applies to landlords who own residential properties and those who rent rooms or holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their homes on the market, landlords must be able prove that the pipes and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can assist you to achieve this.
What is a gas safety certification?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you need to comply with the law when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installation in good operating condition. This is why every property owner must be issued a gas safety certificate at least once per year. But what exactly is a gas safety certificate? And who needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also called 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 the gas appliances and flues in your rental property. The engineer will also ensure that all ventilation channels are free of obstructions in your rental properties to prevent the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will outline the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations that were examined as well as their model, make and model as well as their location within your home. The engineer will determine whether the appliances are safe to use and provide details on the work required to ensure your tenants' safety.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll need to give it to your tenants who are currently residing in your home within 28 days of receiving the service and give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. Failure to do so could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's vital to consider your responsibilities seriously.
Even though homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate to live in peace, it's a good thing to get one every year. This will not only set your mind at ease regarding the state of your heating and gas appliances, but can also help you detect any issues early. This could help you save time and money in the long run.
If you're considering selling your house If you're thinking of selling your home, the Gas Safety Certificate will prove extremely useful to potential buyers because it will show that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. It will also speed the process of selling as it doesn't require additional checks.
Who requires a gas safety certificate?
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. This means that you'll need to arrange regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is in good working order.
Once the inspection is complete and you're ready to get the original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done ideally before your tenants move into the property or at the start of any new lease. Keep the certificate for yourself, along with any records of the maintenance that was done on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords are required to have their properties checked for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This includes the landlord's gas appliances and any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord that doesn't possess an official gas safety certificate and you're not licensed, you could be subject to hefty penalties (up to PS6,000) and court actions from your tenants or an indictment. The most significant risk is that a tenant could be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to conduct the Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe engineers are trained to inspect, service and test appliances and installations in a safe manner. Landlords can check an engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card which has a unique hologram on it.
It is rare for a tenant not to permit access to the rental property in order to conduct an Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these situations it is essential that the landlord informs the tenant why this is a legal obligation and how harmful carbon monoxide may be if not detected on time.
If the tenant is refusing to let an engineer in, then the landlord may decide to issue an Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be accompanied by a description of the reason why they're being forced out for non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How can I obtain a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is required for landlords to show that their properties that they rent meet government regulations. However, some tenants may refuse to allow gas engineers enter their homes for this purpose which can be frustrating and unfair to landlords. Landlords must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers aren't agents of the state and require access only to complete an important, legally required piece of documentation. This will help to reduce the number of tenants who are unable to allow access for gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer once the required checks. This is also commonly known as a CP12 which is a reference to 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 copies to their current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the inspection is completed. A new tenant will receive a copy when signing the tenancy contract. The landlord should also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector has been installed in every room used as living accommodation that is equipped with fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are connected to every storey of the property. Landlords can get more information on these requirements, including free leaflets 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 checks, they can make use of the section 21 notice to evict tenants. It is important to keep in mind that a section 21 notice can only be served when the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain access for the gas safety check and has maintained records of these attempts. If a landlord does not adhere to the proper procedure for entry and attempts to expel tenants using illegal means, they may be accused of harassment and face heavy fines from regulatory bodies.
Why do I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must be issued a certificate of gas safety to ensure that the home they lease is safe for tenants. Gas engineers should conduct regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. Also, they must ensure that the gas pipework, appliances, and flues are all in good working order.
This helps to prevent any fires or accidents which could result from faulty appliances, while also aiding in reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, that can happen when appliances aren't properly maintained or installed. It is essential that landlords keep current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be fined for failing to do so.
Landlords need to prove that their annual gas safety check was completed on time. This can be done by reviewing their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining the most recent certificate from the person who visited the property. If she said of the appliances are identified as being dangerous or faulty, the landlord must get them fixed immediately to protect the tenant's health and safety.
Some landlords may have trouble convincing their tenants to allow them access to the property for the gas safety inspections. It may be because they feel that it would violate their privacy, or they are fighting with their landlord. If this is the case, it's recommended for the landlord to write a strongly worded letter explaining why the gas safety checks are necessary and what they'll mean. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and will give the tenant 14 days to respond.
If the tenant refuses to give the landlord access they must take additional steps. This could involve writing a Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction to compel them to allow access. This is a serious measure that should only be considered in the last resort.