Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to remember that it is only landlords that are accountable for gas safety inspections. This applies to landlords of residential dwellings and those who lease 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. This can be done by having the gas safety certificate.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
You must abide by the law, whether you are a landlord or a homeowner, when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installations in a good in good working order. This is why every property owner should be issued a gas safety certificate at least once a year. What exactly is a gas safety certificate? 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 full inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also ensure that all ventilation passages are free of obstructions within your rental property to prevent the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. It will list each of the inspected gas appliances and installations, including their make, model, and location in your property. The engineer will also state whether they found the appliance to be safe to use or not, and will provide details of any work that must be done to ensure the security of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll have to provide it to your tenants who are currently residing in your home within 28 days of the service and also give it to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy. If you don't comply you could face charges or fines.
Although homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate to live safely, it is still an excellent idea to obtain one every year. This will not only put your mind at ease regarding the condition of your heating and gas appliances, but can also help you detect any problems early. This will save you time and money in the long-term.
If you're considering selling your home, you should get a Gas Safety Certificate will prove an invaluable asset to prospective buyers as it will demonstrate that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it will speed up the conveyancing process because it won't require any additional checks.
Who needs a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that all gas appliances and flues in your rental property are safe. You'll have to arrange for regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered technician to make sure that everything is operating properly.
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 before your tenants move in or at the start of any new tenancies. You should also keep the certificate for yourself, as well as any records of any maintenance work that you have done on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally obliged to have their properties checked for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This includes all properties with gas appliances that are owned by the landlord and any appliances that are provided for use by tenants.
If you are a landlord without an official certificate of gas safety, you could face severe penalties (upto PS6,000) and legal actions 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 malfunctioning appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform an Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to check, service and test appliances and installations safely. Landlords can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card, which has unique holograms on it.
Although it's not uncommon for a tenant to refuse access to their rental property in order to allow a Gas Safety Check, it could happen. In these instances, it is important that the landlord explains to the tenant why it is a requirement and how dangerous carbon monoxide can be if not detected in time.
If a tenant is still refusing to let an engineer into their home, the landlord should consider giving them an Section 21 notice to end their tenure. This must be accompanied by a written explanation of the reason why they're being evicted for non-payment of rent or causing serious damage to the property.
How can I obtain an gas safety certification?
Landlords must have gas safety certificates to ensure their rental properties are in compliance with the laws of the government. However, some tenants might refuse to let gas engineers enter their homes for this reason which is a source of frustration and unfair for landlords. Landlords should make sure to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers are not spies and only need access to complete a vital legally-required piece of documentation. 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 document is also 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 must give copies to their current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the inspection is completed. A new tenant will receive one when they sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord should also ensure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in each room with fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms must be installed on every floor of the property. Landlords can get more information on these requirements, including free brochures and an Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property (Appendix 3), on the HSE website.
If gas certificate is unable to gain access to their property to perform the necessary gas safety checks, they can apply for a section 21 notice to expel tenants, if needed. It is important to note, however, that a notice under section 21 is only valid if the landlord has made at least three attempts to gain entry for the gas safety inspection and has kept records of the attempts. If the landlord does not adhere to the proper procedure and then tries to expel their tenants illegally and is accused of harassment and could face heavy fines.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have a gas safety certification to ensure that the property they lease out is safe for tenants to reside in. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to make sure that all appliances are safe to use. Also, they should ensure that the gas pipes, appliances and flues are all in good working order.
This can help prevent fires or accidents that could result from faulty appliances, in addition to aiding in reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can happen if an appliance isn't properly installed or maintained. It is essential that landlords are up to date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they can be fined for failing to do so.
Landlords must be able to show proof that they completed their annual gas safety checks in time. They can prove this by reviewing their Gas Safe register online, or by getting a copy of the latest certificate from the person who visited the property. The landlord is required to repair any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure the safety of tenants.
Some landlords may have difficulty persuading their tenants to allow them access to the property for 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 inspection is required and what it will entail. The letter can be sent via recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to respond.
If the tenant continues to refuse to allow the landlord access, they should consider taking further action. This could include the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. This is a serious action which should only be used only as a last resort.