Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is essential to keep in mind that only landlords are accountable for the gas safety check. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties and those who rent rooms or holiday homes.
Landlords need to prove that the pipework and flues, as well as appliances, in their properties are safe before putting them on the market. landlord safety certificate can assist you to achieve this.
What is a gas safety certification?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you have to follow the law in regards to maintaining your gas appliances and installation in good operating condition. Every property owner must obtain their gas safety certificates at least once a calendar year. What is a gas certificate? Who needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also called a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document that is issued by a qualified Gas Safe engineer after carrying an exhaustive examination of all 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 avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide, which is a danger.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. It will list all of the inspected gas appliances and installations, as well as their model, make and the location of your property. The engineer will also state whether they found the appliance to be safe for use or not, and detail any work that needs to be completed to ensure the safety of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll have to provide it to your current tenants within 28 days of the service and give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. In the event of a delay, it could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to be aware of your obligations.
While homeowners don't require to have a Gas Safety Certificate, it's still a good idea to obtain one on an annual basis. This will not just put your mind at ease about the state of your gas and heating appliances, but help you identify any problems early. This can help you save money and hassle in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates are extremely useful for potential buyers when you're selling your home. They can prove that you've taken care of all your gas appliances and installations. It can also speed the process of conveyancing since it doesn't require any additional checks.
Who requires an attestation of gas safety?
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe. This means that you'll need to schedule regular inspections with a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure everything is in good working order.
Once the inspection is complete and you're ready to get an original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. It is recommended that this be completed before your current tenants move in or at the beginning of any new leases. You should keep a copy of the document for yourself, as well as documentation of any maintenance you have carried out on gas appliances that are in your property.
Landlords are required to have their properties examined for gas safety at minimum every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's own gas appliances, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord who doesn't possess a valid gas safety certification and you're not licensed, you could be subject to huge fines (up to a total of PS6,000) and court actions from your tenants or even a criminal charge. The most significant risk, however, is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed due to malfunctioning appliances in your rental property.
The only ones who can conduct an Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe engineers are trained to inspect and service appliances and installations safely. Landlords can determine whether 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 refuse access to their rental property in order to allow an Gas Safety Check, it is possible to do so. In these situations it's crucial for the landlord to explain why this is a legal requirement and that carbon monoxide could be extremely dangerous if not detected promptly.
If a tenant continues to refuse to allow an engineer to enter their home, the landlord should consider giving them an Section 21 notice to end their tenure. This is to be accompanied by an explanation of the reason for being evicted, such as non-payment of rent or causing serious damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certification?
Landlords need an official gas safety certificate to ensure their rental properties are in compliance with the regulations of the government. However, some tenants might not allow a gas engineer into their homes for this purpose which can be frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords should make sure to communicate to their tenants that gas engineers aren't spying and are only required to complete an important, legally required piece of documentation. This will help to reduce the number of tenants who refuse to give access to gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is sure that the appliances are safe for use They will issue an Landlord Gas Safety Record document. It is also referred to 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 provide copies to their current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the check is completed. A new tenant will receive an original copy of the check when they sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord must also ensure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms must be installed on each floor of the property. The HSE website provides more information for landlords, including free brochures along with an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances within a rental Property.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to the property in order to perform the necessary gas safety checks, they can use the section 21 notice if necessary to expel tenants. A notice under section 21 is only valid if the landlord has made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property for the gas safety test and kept records of those attempts. If the landlord fails to follow the proper procedure and then tries to expel their tenants unlawfully they could be found guilty of harassment and may be fined a significant amount.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have an official certificate of gas safety to ensure that the house they rent is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must conduct regular checks to make sure that all appliances are safe for use. This means they have to make sure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good working in good working order.
This will stop any fires, accidents, or carbon monoxide poisoning which could be caused by faulty equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to ensure they are up-to-date. They can be penalized if they don't.
Landlords must be able to show that their annual gas safety test has been carried out on time. You can check your Gas Safe Register online or obtain a copy from an engineer who visited the property. If any of the appliances show as dangerous or defective the landlord should have them repaired as soon as possible to protect the tenant's health and safety.
Some landlords may have difficulty convincing their tenants to allow them access to the house for gas safety inspections. It could be because they believe that it would violate their privacy or are fighting with their landlord. If this is the case, it is a good idea to ask the landlord to write a strongly worded letter explaining the reason why the gas safety inspections are required and what they'll entail. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant does not give the landlord access they must take further action. This could include drafting an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction to force them to grant access. This is a serious step that should only be taken in the last resort.