7 Things About Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing
Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that it is only landlords who have responsibility for gas safety checks. This is true for landlords of residential dwellings as well as those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodations.
Landlords must demonstrate that the pipes as well as the flues, appliances and appliances in their homes are safe prior to putting them up for sale. This can be accomplished with the gas safety certificate.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Whether you're a landlord or homeowner, you need to follow the law when it comes to maintaining your gas appliances and installation in good working order. This is why every property owner needs to obtain their gas safety certificate at least once a year. What is a gas safety certificate? And who is the person who requires one?
Gas Safe Certificates, also called Landlord Gas Safety Record are official documents issued by an official Gas Safe engineer who has completed a full inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also check that all ventilation channels are clear in your rental property to avoid the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the inspected gas appliances and installations, along with their make, model and the location of your home. The engineer will then indicate whether they believe the appliances 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 have to give your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days after the service. You must also give it to new tenants when they start 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.
While homeowners don't require to have a Gas Safety Certificate, it's nevertheless a good idea to have one every year. landlord gas safety certificate will not only set your mind at ease regarding the condition of your heating and gas appliances, but can help you identify any issues in advance. This will save you time and money in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates can be extremely beneficial to potential buyers when you're selling your house. They can prove that you've taken good care of all of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it will expedite the process of conveyancing because it won't require additional checks.
Who is in need of a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that any gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home are safe for your tenants. You'll need to arrange for regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered technician to make sure that everything is operating correctly.
You'll need your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. It is recommended that this be done before your current tenants move in or at the start of any new leases. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the certificate for yourself along with any records of maintenance performed on your home's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least every 12 months. This includes all properties with gas appliances owned by the landlord, and any appliances provided for use by tenants.
If you're a landlord who doesn't possess a valid gas safety certification you could be facing hefty penalties (up to a total of PS6,000) or court action from your tenants, or even the possibility of a criminal charge. The greatest danger is that a tenant might be injured or even killed by defective appliances at your rental property.
The only people who can carry out an Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe engineers are trained to inspect and service appliances and installations in a safe manner. Landlords are able to check if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
It is very rare for a tenant not to allow access to the rental property in order to perform the Gas Safety Check. However, it does happen. In these cases, it's important 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 is still refusing to allow an engineer to enter their home the landlord should think about giving them the Section 21 notice to end their tenure. This should be accompanied by an explanation as to why they're being removed. For example the non-payment of rent, or severe damage to the property.
How can I obtain a gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to prove that their properties that they rent meet the regulations of the government. Some tenants will refuse to let a gas engineer into their house for this purpose and this can be a source of frustration for landlords. Landlords must ensure that tenants know that gas engineers aren't spying, and they only need to enter their homes to sign a legally-required document. This will reduce the number tenants who deny access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has carried out the necessary checks and is sure that the appliances are safe for use they will issue an Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This document is also known 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 is required to provide their existing tenants with a copy this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the time the check is completed and give the new tenant one upon signing the tenancy agreement. The landlord should also make sure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, except for gas cookers. Smoke alarms must be installed on each floor of the property. The HSE website has more details for landlords, including free brochures 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 to conduct the required gas safety checks, they can make use of the section 21 notice if necessary to expel tenants. It is important to remember, however, that a section 21 notice is only served if the landlord has had at least three attempts to gain entry for the gas safety check and has maintained records of these attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the proper procedure for entry and then tries to evict their tenants by illegal means, they may be accused of harassment and face heavy fines from regulatory bodies.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must have a gas safety certification to ensure the property they rent out is safe for tenants to reside in. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe for use. This means that they must to ensure that the gas pipework and appliances are in good condition.
This will help stop any fires, accidents or carbon monoxide poisoning which could be caused by defective equipment. It is important that landlords stay current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they can be fined for failing to do so.
Landlords need to prove that their annual gas safety check was completed on time. 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 being dangerous or faulty the landlord should have them repaired immediately to ensure the safety and health of the tenant.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to grant them access to their property in order to conduct gas safety checks. It could be because they feel that it violates their privacy, or they are fighting with their landlord. It is recommended that the landlord write a letter in which he explains why a gas safety inspection is required and what it will involve. Gas safety certificate can be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant should have 14 days to respond.
If the tenant still refuses to let the landlord access then they should consider taking additional steps. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. This is a serious measure that should only be considered only in the case of a last option.