Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is crucial to remember that it's only landlords who have responsibility for gas safety inspections. This applies to landlords of residential dwellings and those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodations.
Before they can put their property for sale landlords must prove that the pipework and appliances in their homes are safe. This can be accomplished by obtaining a gas safety certificate.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a tenant or homeowner, you have to comply with the law when it comes to maintaining your gas appliances and installation in good operating condition. This is why every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificate at least once per year. But what exactly is a gas safety certification? Who really needs one?
Gas Safe Certificates, also known by the name Landlord Gas Safety Record are official documents issued by a Gas Safe engineer who has completed a thorough inspection of the rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also ensure that all ventilation passages are free of obstructions in your rental properties to avoid dangerous carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly 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 and their manufacturer and model as well as their location within your home. The engineer will also state whether they believe the appliances to be safe to use or not, and will give details of the work that needs to be done to ensure the safety of your tenants.
You will need to provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days after the service. It is also required to provide it to tenants who are new when they start their tenure. In the event of a delay, it could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to consider your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners do not need a Gas Safety Certificate, it's nevertheless a good idea to get one on an annual basis. This will not just put your mind at ease regarding the state of your gas and heating appliances, but will help you identify any problems early. This will save you money and time in the long run.
If you're planning to sell your home If you're thinking of selling your home, you should get a Gas Safety Certificate will prove very beneficial to potential buyers because it will show that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. In addition, it can expedite the process of conveyancing since it doesn't require any additional checks.
Who requires an attestation of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances and flues in your rental property are safe. This means that you'll need to schedule regular inspections with a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is in good working order.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. gas safety certificate cost is best to have this completed prior to when your new tenants move in, or at the beginning of any new tenancies. You should also keep the certificate for yourself along with any records of the maintenance that was done on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally required 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 are a landlord who does not have a valid gas certificate safety, you could face severe penalties (upto PS6,000) or legal action from your tenants or even criminal charges. The most significant danger, however, is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed as a result of faulty appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform a Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe engineers are certified to check and service appliances and installations in a safe manner. Landlords can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card, that has a unique hologram on it.
While it's uncommon for a tenant to refuse access to their rental property to allow a Gas Safety Check, it is possible to do so. In these instances, it's important for the landlord to explain to them the legal requirement and how carbon monoxide could be extremely hazardous if not discovered in time.
If a tenant still won't allow an engineer to enter their home, the landlord should consider giving them the Section 21 notice to end their tenancy. This should be accompanied by an explanation of the reason they're being removed for non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is required for landlords to prove their properties are in compliance with the requirements of the government. However, some tenants may not allow gas engineers enter their residences for this purpose - which is frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords should ensure tenants are aware that gas engineers aren't spies and only need to enter their homes to complete a legally required document. This will decrease the number of tenants who deny access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer after they have completed the necessary checks. It is also referred to as a CP12 which is a reference to CORGI Proforma 12 CORGI was previously the Council for Registered Gas Installers, but was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
The landlord is required to provide their existing tenants with a copy of the document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the time the check is completed. The landlord must also provide an applicant a copy on signing the tenancy agreement. The landlord must also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed in each room used for living accommodation that is equipped with fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are connected to each storey of the property. The HSE website has more details for landlords, including free leaflets along with an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to the property to conduct the required gas safety inspections, they may use the section 21 notice if necessary to evict tenants. It is important to keep in mind that a notice under section 21 is only valid if the landlord has made at least three attempts to gain access for the gas safety check and has kept records of these attempts. If the landlord does not follow the proper procedure and then tries to expel their tenants unlawfully, they may be found guilty of harassment and could face heavy fines.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certification?
Landlords need to have an approved certificate of gas safety to ensure that the property they lease is safe for tenants. Gas engineers should conduct regular checks to ensure that all appliances are safe to use. It also means that they should ensure that the gas pipes, appliances and flues are in good working order.
This will stop any fires, accidents, or carbon monoxide poisoning that can be caused by faulty equipment. It is essential that landlords stay current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they can be fined for failing to do so.
Landlords need to demonstrate that their annual gas safety inspection was completed in a timely manner. They can prove this by looking up their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining an original copy of the most recent certificate from the engineer who visited the property. The landlord has to fix any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure tenant's safety.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to grant them access to their property in order to conduct 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 a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it is an ideal idea for the landlord to send an explicit letter stating why the gas safety checks are required and what they'll mean. This letter could be delivered by recorded delivery, and the tenant should have 14 days to reply.
If the tenant is still refusing to let the landlord access then they should consider taking additional steps. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. This is a serious step which should only be used in the last resort.