Undeniable Proof That You Need Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is essential 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 rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to demonstrate that the pipes and flues, as well as appliances, within their properties are safe before they put them on the market. This can be done by obtaining a gas safety certificate.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Whether you're a landlord or homeowner, you need to follow the law in regards to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in good operating condition. That's why every property owner needs to obtain their gas safety certificate at least once a year. What is a gas safety certificate? Who needs 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 an extensive inspection of all the gas appliances and flues that are in your rental property. The engineer will also verify that the vents in your home are clean to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in your home.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations that were examined and their manufacturer and model, as well as the location of your home. The engineer will then state whether they found the appliance to be safe for use or not, and detail the work that needs to be completed to ensure the safety of your tenants.
You will need to provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days following the service. It is also required to provide it to new tenants when they start their lease. If you don't follow the rules with the requirements, you could be subject to charges or fines.
While homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate, it's nevertheless a good idea to have one every year. This will not only put your mind at rest about the condition of your heating and gas appliances, but help you spot any issues early. This will save you money and time in the long-term.
Gas Safety Certificates are beneficial to potential buyers when selling your home. They can prove that you have taken care of all your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, gas safety certificate homeowner will expedite the process of conveyancing since it doesn't require any additional checks.
Who requires an official certificate of gas safety?
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that any gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home are safe for your tenants. This means that you'll need to schedule regular inspections with a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is in good working order.
After the inspection is completed and you're ready to get the original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done ideally prior to the time your tenants move in or at the start of any new lease. You should also keep a copy of the certificate for yourself, and any documentation of the maintenance that was performed on your home's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally obliged to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least every 12 months. This applies to all properties that have gas appliances owned by the landlord, as well as any appliances that are provided for use by tenants.
If you are a landlord without a valid certificate of gas safety, you could be subject to severe fines (upto PS6,000) and legal actions from your tenants, or even criminal charges. The greatest risk is that a tenant might be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform a Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe engineers are certified to check and service appliances and installations in a safe way. Landlords can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card with a unique hologram on it.
It is rare for a tenant to let access to the rental property to conduct an Gas Safety Check. However, it does happen. In these instances it is crucial for the landlord to explain to them why this is a legal requirement and how carbon monoxide can be very dangerous if it is not detected promptly.
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 lease. This should be accompanied by an explanation of why they're being removed. For instance rent arrears, non-payment or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain an gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is required for landlords to show that their rented properties meet the requirements of the government. However, some tenants might refuse to allow a gas engineer into their residences for this purpose - which is frustrating and unfair to landlords. Landlords should ensure tenants are aware that gas engineers aren't spying and only need to access their homes to sign a legally-required document. This will help reduce the number of tenants who deny access to gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is confident that all appliances are safe to use They will issue the Landlord Gas Safety Record document. It 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 provide their current tenants with a copy this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the check being completed and give an applicant an original copy when they sign the Tenancy agreement. The landlord must also make sure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in each room that has fixed combustion appliances, but not gas cookers. Smoke alarms must 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 the Rental Property (Appendix 3), on the HSE website.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to the property in order to perform the necessary gas safety inspections, they may use the section 21 notice to evict tenants. It is important to note that a section 21 notice can only be served when the landlord has made at least three attempts to gain entry for the gas safety inspection and has maintained records of these attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the correct procedure and tries evicting their tenants illegally and is found guilty of harassing and could face heavy fines.
Why do I require a gas safety certification?
Landlords must be issued an official certificate of gas safety to ensure that the property they rent is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe for use. This means they have to make sure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good in good working order.
This will help to stop any fires, accidents or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by defective equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to keep current. They could be fined when they don't.
Landlords have to show proof that they carried out their annual gas safety inspections in time. This can be done by reviewing their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining an original copy of the most recent certificate from the engineer who inspected the property. The landlord is required to repair any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure the safety of the tenant.
Some landlords have difficulty convincing their tenants to allow them access to the property in order to conduct gas safety checks. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as the fact that they feel it's a violation of privacy or they are currently in dispute with their landlord. It's recommended that the landlord write a letter which he explains why the gas safety check is necessary and what it will entail. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant will have 14 days to reply.
If the tenant still refuses to let the landlord access the landlord should think about taking another step. This might include writing an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction to force them to grant access. But, this is a serious step that should only be considered as an option last option.