Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is essential to keep in mind that only landlords are responsible for the gas safety check. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties and those who rent rooms or other holiday accommodation.
Landlords must prove that the pipes and flues, as well as appliances, within their properties are safe before putting them up for sale. Gas safety certificates can assist in achieving this.
What is a gas safety certification?
Whether you're a landlord or homeowner, you need to adhere to the law when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installation in good operating condition. This is why every property owner needs to be issued a gas safety certificate at least once a year. What exactly is a gas safety certification? And who is the person who requires one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is a legal document issued by a qualified Gas Safe engineer after carrying out a full inspection of all gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home. The engineer will also test that the ventilation passages of your home are clean to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in your home.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all the gas appliances that were inspected and installations, along with their model, brand and the location of your property. The engineer will then state whether they found the appliance to be safe to use or not, and provide details of any work that needs to be completed to ensure the security of your tenants.
You must provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days after the service. You must also give it to tenants who are new when they start their tenancy. Failure to do so could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to take your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners do not need an Gas Safety Certificate, it's an excellent idea to have 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 help you spot any issues in advance. This will help you save money and time in the long-term.
If you're planning to sell your house and are thinking of selling it, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove extremely useful 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 additional inspections.
Who needs a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances or flues within your rental property are safe for your tenants. This means that you'll need to schedule regular inspections with an Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure everything is in good working order.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. This should be done ideally before your tenants move into the property, or at the beginning of a new tenancy. Keep a copy of the certificate for yourself, as well as any records of any maintenance work that you have carried out on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally required to have their homes inspected for gas safety at least once every 12 months. This applies to all properties that have gas appliances owned by the landlord as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord who doesn't have an official gas safety certificate you could be facing huge penalties (up to a total of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or an indictment. The most significant risk, however, is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed due to faulty appliances in your rental property.
The only person who can carry out a Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. This is because only they have been properly trained to examine and service gas appliances and installations. Landlords can determine whether an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
It is not common for a tenant to permit access to the rental property in order to perform an Gas Safety Check. However it happens. In can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate is essential that the landlord explain to the tenant why this is a mandatory requirement and how dangerous carbon monoxide may be if not detected on time.
If the tenant is refusing to let an engineer in and the landlord is not willing to let an engineer in, then the landlord might be tempted to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be accompanied with an explanation of the reason they're being evicted. For example, non-payment of rent or significant damage to the property.
How do I get a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is necessary for landlords to prove that their properties are in compliance with the requirements of the government. Some tenants will not let a gas engineer into their residence for this reason, which is frustrating for landlords. Landlords must try to convey to their tenants that gas technicians are not spies and only need access to complete an important legally-required document. This will help reduce the number of tenants who deny access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer once he has completed the necessary checks. It is also referred to as a CP12 which is a reference to CORGI Proforma 12 CORGI was once the Council for Registered Gas Installers, but was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
The landlord must give a copy to their existing tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the check has been 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 is equipped in every room used as living accommodation which has fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are connected to each floor of the property. Landlords can find more information about 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 a landlord is unable to gain access to their property to conduct the required gas safety checks, they can make use of a section 21 notice to remove tenants, if necessary. A section 21 notice is only valid if the landlord made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property to conduct the gas safety test and kept records of those attempts. If a landlord fails follow the correct procedure for entry and attempts to evict tenants through unlawful means, they could be accused of harassment and face hefty fines from regulatory bodies.
Why do I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have a gas safety certificate to ensure the property they lease out is safe for tenants to live in. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to ensure that all appliances are safe for use. Also, they must make sure the gas pipes, appliances and flues are in good working order.
This will help stop any fires, accidents or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by faulty equipment. It is crucial that landlords stay up-to-date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be fined if they don't.
Landlords must show that their annual gas safety check was completed in a timely manner. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or get a copy from the engineer who visited the property. If any of the appliances are identified as dangerous or defective, the landlord must get them repaired as soon as possible to protect the safety and health of the tenant.
Some landlords are unable to convince their tenants to grant them access to their properties in order to conduct gas safety inspections. This could be due to a number of reasons, including the fact that they feel it's an invasion of privacy or they are currently in dispute with their landlord. It's an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter which he explains the reason why the gas safety check is necessary and what it will entail. This can be sent by recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to respond.
If the tenant still refuses to give access to the landlord, they should consider taking additional steps. This could include drafting an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction to compel the tenant to allow access. This is a very serious option that should only be taken as an option last resort.