Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to remember that only landlords are accountable for ensuring the safety of gas. This is the case for landlords of residential dwellings as well as those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their homes on the market landlords must show that the pipework 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?
You must adhere to the law, whether you are a landlord or a homeowner in keeping your gas appliances and installations in good condition. That's why every property owner needs to be issued a gas safety certificate at least once per year. What is a gas certificate? And who 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 full inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also ensure that all ventilation pathways are free of obstructions in your rental property to avoid the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all the gas appliances that were inspected and installations, as well as their model, brand and the location of your property. The engineer will then state whether they found the appliances to be safe for use or not, and will detail any work that must be completed to ensure the safety of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll need to present it to your current tenants within 28 days of the service and also give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure. Failure to do this could result in fines or even criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to take your responsibilities seriously.
While homeowners don't require an Gas Safety Certificate, it's an excellent idea to obtain one on an annual basis. This will not just put your mind at rest about the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but will also help you detect any issues in advance. This could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
If you're considering selling your house If you're thinking of selling your home, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove extremely useful to potential buyers as it will demonstrate that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. It also speeds up the conveyancing as it doesn't require additional inspections.
Who needs a certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all flues and gas appliances in your rental property are safe. You'll have to arrange for regular inspections from a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is functioning correctly.
After the inspection is completed, you'll need an original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done ideally prior to your tenants moving in, or at the beginning of any new tenancy. Keep a copy of the certificate for yourself, as well as any records of maintenance performed on your home's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least every 12 months. This includes the landlord's gas appliances as well as any appliances provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord who 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 even the possibility of a criminal charge. The biggest chance is that a tenant might be injured or even killed by 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 check, service and test appliances and installations in a safe way. 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 not common for a tenant not to permit access to the rental property in order to conduct an Gas Safety Check. However it happens. In these instances it is essential that the landlord informs the tenant the reason why it is a obligation and how harmful carbon monoxide may be if 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 should be accompanied with an explanation as to why they're being removed. For example rent arrears, non-payment or severe damage to the property.
How can I obtain an gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is required for landlords to show that their properties are in compliance with the regulations of the government. However, some tenants may refuse to let gas engineers into their homes for this purpose which is a source of frustration and unfair to landlords. Landlords must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers aren't spies and only need access to complete an important, 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 he has completed the necessary checks. This is also commonly known as a CP12, which stands for CORGI Proforma 12. CORGI was once the Council for Registered Gas Installers however, it was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
The landlord must provide a copy to their existing tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the check is completed. A new tenant will be provided with an original copy of the check when they sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord should also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector has been installed in each room used as living accommodation that is equipped with fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are fitted to each storey of the property. The HSE website has more information for landlords, including free leaflets and an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to their property in order to carry out the necessary gas safety checks, they may apply for a section 21 notice to evict tenants, if necessary. It is important to note, however, that a section 21 notice is only served when the landlord has made at least three attempts to gain access to conduct the gas safety inspection and has kept a record of the attempts. If how long does a gas safety certificate last does not adhere to the proper procedure and tries evicting their tenants illegally, they may be accused of harassment and face heavy fines.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must be issued an official certificate of gas safety to ensure that the home they lease is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. This means they have to ensure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good working condition.
This will prevent any accidents, fires or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by faulty equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to be current. They could be penalized for not doing so.
Landlords must be able to demonstrate that their annual gas safety inspection has been carried out in a timely manner. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or obtain a copy from an engineer who visited the property. The landlord must fix any appliances that are unsafe or malfunctioning immediately to ensure the safety of tenants.
Some landlords may have difficulty persuading tenants to let them access the house for gas safety inspections. It could be because they feel that it is an invasion of their privacy, or are in a dispute with their landlord. It is recommended that the landlord write a letter in which he explains why the gas safety check is necessary and what it's going to involve. This can be sent by recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant still refuses to allow the landlord access, they should consider taking further action. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying an Injunction in court. But, this is a very serious option that should only be considered as an option last resort.