15 Reasons Not To Be Ignoring Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is crucial to keep in mind that it is only landlords who are responsible for gas safety inspections. This is true for landlords who own residential properties as well as those who rent rooms or holiday homes.
Before they can put their homes for sale, landlords must be able show that the pipework and appliances in their homes are safe. This can be done by having an official gas safety certificate.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you must to comply with the law when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installations in good functioning order. Every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificates at least once a calendar 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 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 test that the ventilation passages in your property are free of obstruction to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in your home.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list each of the inspected gas appliances and installations, along with their model, make and the location of your home. The engineer will determine if the appliances are safe to use, and will provide information on the work required to ensure your tenants' safety.
You must provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days after the service. You should also provide it to new tenants when they begin their tenancy. If you don't comply you could face charges or fines.
Although homeowners do not require a Gas Safety Certificate to live in safety, it's an excellent idea to obtain one each year. Not only will this give you peace of mind regarding the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but it can aid in identifying any issues early. This could save you lots of money and hassle in the long run.
If you're considering selling your home, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove very beneficial to potential buyers since it can prove that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. It can also speed the process of conveyancing since it doesn't require any additional checks.
Who is in need of a certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe for your tenants. This means you'll have to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure everything is working properly.
After the inspection has been completed You'll need a copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. It is recommended that this be completed prior to when your current tenants move in or at the beginning of any new leases. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the certificate for yourself, along with any records of maintenance carried out on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords are required to have their properties examined for gas safety at minimum once every 12months. This includes both the landlord's personal gas appliances and any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If gas safety certificate how often are a landlord with a valid gas certificate safety, you could be subject to severe penalties (upto PS6,000) or legal actions from your tenants, or even criminal charges. The most significant risk is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed as a result of defective appliances in your rental property.
The only person who can conduct an Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. This is because only they have been properly trained to inspect, service and test gas appliances and installations. Landlords can verify if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
Although it's not common for a tenant to deny access to their rental property in order to allow an Gas Safety Check, it can happen. In these instances, it is important that the landlord informs the tenant the reason why this is a legal obligation and how harmful carbon monoxide could be if not detected in time.
If the tenant refuses to allow an engineer in, then the landlord may be tempted to issue an Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be followed by an explanation as to why they're being removed. For instance the non-payment of rent, or severe damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certificate?
can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate is required for landlords to prove their rented properties meet government regulations. Some tenants are reluctant to allow a gas engineer in their house for this purpose which can be frustrating for landlords. Landlords must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers aren't spying and are only required to complete an essential, legally required document. This will reduce the number tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has carried out the necessary checks and is sure that all appliances are safe to use, they will issue a Landlord Gas Safety Record document. It is also referred to 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 their existing tenants with a copy the document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the date that the check is completed and give an applicant an original copy when they sign the Tenancy agreement. The landlord must also make sure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, except for gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on each floor of the property. Landlords can obtain more information on these requirements, including free leaflets 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 a landlord cannot gain access to their property to perform the necessary gas safety checks, they can make use of a section 21 notice to expel the tenants, if appropriate. A notice of section 21 is only valid if the landlord made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property for the gas safety test and kept records of the unsuccessful attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the proper procedure for entry and tries to expel tenants using unlawful means, they could be accused of harassment and could face substantial fines from regulatory bodies.
Why do I require a gas safety certification?
Landlords must be issued an official certificate of gas safety to ensure that the property they lease is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must conduct regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe for use. Also, they should ensure that the gas pipework, appliances, and flues are all in good working order.
This helps to prevent any accidents or fires which could be caused by defective appliances, in addition to helping to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, that can happen if an appliance isn't properly installed or maintained. It is crucial that landlords are up to date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be penalized if they don't.
Landlords need to show that their annual gas safety inspection was carried out in a timely manner. You can check your Gas Safe Register online or obtain a copy from an engineer who visited the property. The landlord must fix any appliances that are dangerous or malfunctioning immediately to ensure the safety of tenants.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to allow them access to the property in order to conduct gas safety checks. It may be because they feel that it would violate their privacy, or they are having a dispute with their landlord. It is recommended that the landlord write a letter which he explains the reason why the gas safety inspection is required and what it's going to involve. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and will give the tenant 14 days to respond.
If the tenant is still refusing to allow the landlord access, they should consider taking another step. This could include the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. This is a serious step that should only be considered only in the case of a last resort.