Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is essential to keep in mind that only landlords are responsible for the gas safety inspection. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties as well as those who rent rooms or holiday homes.
Before they can put their property on the market, landlords must be able demonstrate that the pipework and appliances in their homes are safe. This can be done with an official gas safety certificate.
What is a gas safety certificate?
Whether you're a landlord or homeowner, you have to comply with the law in regards to maintaining your gas appliances and installation in good working order. This is why every property owner needs to get their gas safety certificate at least once a year. What exactly is a gas safety certification? And who is the person who requires one?
Gas Safe Certificates, also known by the name Landlord Gas Safety Record are official documents issued by a Gas Safe engineer who has completed a full inspection of the rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also make sure that all ventilation channels are in good working order in your rental properties to prevent the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. It will list each of the inspected gas appliances and installations, as well as their model, make, and location in your home. The engineer will then state whether they found the appliances to be safe to use or not, and detail any work that must be done to ensure the security of your tenants.
You will have to give your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days following the service. You must also give it to new tenants once they start their tenure. Failure to do so could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's vital to take your responsibilities seriously.
Even though homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate to live safely, it is still recommended to obtain one every year. This will not just put your mind at ease regarding the state of your gas and heating appliances, but help you spot any issues in advance. This could save you a lot of time and money in the long term.
Gas Safety Certificates are useful to prospective buyers when selling your home. They can show that you've taken good care of all gas appliances and installations. It can also speed up the conveyancing as it does not require any additional checks.
Who needs a certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances and flues in your rental property are safe. This means that you'll need to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure that everything is in good working order.
You'll need your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. It is recommended that this be completed prior to when your tenants move in or at the start of any new leases. It is also recommended to keep a copy of the certificate for yourself, Www.Mkgassafety.Co.Uk and any documentation of maintenance performed on your home's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties checked for gas safety at least every 12 months. This applies to all properties that have gas appliances owned by the landlord and any appliances provided for use by tenants.
If you're a landlord and don't possess a valid gas safety certificate, you could face massive penalties (up to PS6,000) or court action from your tenants or the possibility of a criminal charge. The biggest risk is that one of your tenants could be injured or killed due to malfunctioning appliances in your rental property.
The only ones who are qualified to 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 verify an engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking at their ID card, which has unique holograms on it.
It is very rare for a tenant to permit access to the rental property in order to conduct an Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these instances, it is important that the landlord explain to the tenant the reason why this is a legal obligation and how harmful carbon monoxide can be if not detected on time.
If the tenant is refusing to allow an engineer into the property and the landlord is not willing to let an engineer in, then the landlord might decide to issue the option of a Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be accompanied by an explanation of why they are being forced out. For example, non-payment of rent or severe damage to the property.
How can I obtain a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need an official gas safety certificate to prove their rental properties meet government regulations. However, some tenants may not allow gas engineers enter their homes for this purpose - which is frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords must ensure that tenants are aware that gas engineers aren't spies, and they only need access to their homes in order to complete a legally required document. This will decrease the number of tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has carried out the necessary checks and is sure that all appliances are safe to use, they will issue the Landlord Gas Safety Record document. It is also referred to 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 has to give copies to their current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the inspection is completed. A new tenant will receive one when they sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord should also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed in every room used as living accommodation which has fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are connected to every storey of the property. The HSE website has more details for landlords, such as free leaflets as well as 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 checks, they can make use of the section 21 notice if necessary to expel tenants. It is important to keep in mind that a notice under section 21 can only be served if the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain entry for the gas safety check and has kept a record of the attempts. If the landlord fails to follow the correct procedure and tries evicting their tenants illegally and is found guilty of harassing and face heavy fines.
Why do I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have a certificate of gas safety to ensure that the home they lease is safe for tenants. This means they must have regular checks performed by a registered gas engineer to ensure that any appliances are safe to use. Also, they must ensure that the gas pipes, appliances and flues are all in good working order.
This helps to prevent any accidents or fires that could be caused by faulty appliances, while also helping to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can happen when appliances aren't properly installed or maintained. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to be current. They can be penalized for not doing so.
Landlords must be able to prove that their annual gas safety test was completed on 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 has to fix any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure the safety of the tenant.
Some landlords may have difficulty persuading tenants to allow them access to the property for the gas safety checks. It could be because they feel that it violates their privacy, or they are having a dispute with their landlord. It is an ideal idea to request the landlord write a letter which he explains the reason why the gas safety inspection is required and what it's going to involve. The letter can be delivered by recorded delivery, and the tenant should be given 14 days to respond.
If the tenant still refuses to give access to the landlord the landlord should think about taking additional steps. This might include writing an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction that will force them to grant access. But, this is a serious decision that should only be taken as an option last resort.