It is essential to keep in mind that only landlords are accountable for the gas safety check. This is the case for landlords of residential dwellings and those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their property for sale landlords must show that the plumbing and appliances in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can help you achieve this.What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
You must adhere to the law, regardless of whether you are a landlord or a homeowner in maintaining your gas appliances and installations in a good in good working order. Every property owner should get their gas safety certificates at least once in a calendar year. What exactly is a gas safety certification? And who is the person who requires one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also called 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 gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home. The engineer will also test that the vents in your properties are clear to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will provide the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations that were examined as well as their model, make, model and location within your home. The engineer will then indicate whether they believe the appliances to be safe to use or not, and give 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 need to give it to your current tenants within 28 days of receiving the service and provide it to any new tenants at the start of their tenure. In the event of a delay, it could result in fines, or even criminal prosecution, so it's important to consider your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners don't need to have a Gas Safety Certificate, it's nevertheless a good idea to have one annually. Not only will this make you feel more comfortable regarding the health of your gas and heating appliances, but it can also help you spot any issues early. This could help you save time and money in the long term.
Gas Safety Certificates are useful for potential buyers when you're selling your house. 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 is in need of a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all flues and gas appliances 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 your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. This should be done prior to the time your tenants move into the property, or at the beginning of a new lease. Keep a copy for yourself as well as records of any maintenance done to the gas appliances in your property.
Landlords are legally obliged to have their properties inspected for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This includes all properties with gas appliances that are owned by the landlord, as well as any appliances provided for use by tenants.
If you're a landlord and don't have a valid gas safety certificate, you could face huge penalties (up to a total of PS6,000) or court action from your tenants or even a criminal charge. The most significant danger is that a tenant may be injured or even killed by defective appliances in your rental home.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform an Gas Safety check. They are the only ones who are trained to safely examine gas appliances and installations. Landlords can check the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking at their ID card, with unique holograms on it.
While it's uncommon for a tenant to refuse access to their rental property to permit a Gas Safety Check, it could happen. In these instances it is crucial that the landlord explains to the tenant the reason why it is a requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide could be if it is not detected on time.
If a tenant still won't let an engineer into their home The landlord should consider giving them the Section 21 notice to end their tenancy. This must be accompanied by a description of the reason why they're being evicted, such as non-payment of rent or serious damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certificate?
Landlords require gas safety certificates to ensure their rental properties are in compliance with government regulations. Some tenants will refuse to allow a gas engineer to enter their house for this purpose which can be frustrating for landlords. Landlords should ensure tenants are aware that gas engineers aren't spies and only need to enter their homes in order to fill out a legally required document. This will reduce the number tenants who are unable to access gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has carried out the necessary checks and is sure that the appliances are safe for use They will issue the 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 give an original copy to current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the inspection is completed. A new tenant will be provided with one when they sign the tenancy contract. The landlord must also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed in each room used for living accommodation that is equipped with fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are installed to every storey of the property. The HSE website has more information for landlords, including free leaflets along with an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If a landlord is not able to gain access to the property in order to perform the necessary gas safety inspections, they may apply for a section 21 notice to expel tenants. A notice under section 21 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 the unsuccessful attempts. If the landlord fails to adhere to the proper procedure and tries evicting their tenants unlawfully they could be found guilty of harassment and could face heavy fines.
Why do I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must have a certificate of gas safety to ensure that the house they rent is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must conduct regular checks to ensure that all appliances are safe to use. This means that they need to ensure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good working in good working order.
This helps to prevent any accidents or fires that may be caused by faulty appliances, as well as helping to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur when appliances aren't properly installed or maintained. It is crucial that landlords stay up to date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be penalized for failing to do so.
Landlords need to be able show proof that they carried out their annual gas safety checks in time. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer who visited the property. The landlord has to fix any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure tenant's safety.
Some landlords may be having difficulty persuading tenants to allow them access the property for gas safety inspections. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as the fact that they feel it's an invasion of privacy or they are currently in a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it is a good idea for the landlord to write a strongly worded letter explaining the reasons why gas safety checks are necessary and what they'll mean. This letter could be delivered by recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to respond.
If the tenant is unwilling to give the landlord access they must take additional steps. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. This is a serious decision that should only be taken as an option last resort.
