Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that it is only landlords that are accountable for gas safety checks. This is true for landlords who own residential properties as well as those who rent rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to prove that the pipework, appliances and flues in their homes are safe before putting them on the market. Gas safety certificates can help you to achieve this.
What is a gas safety certificate?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you need to comply with the law when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installation in good operating condition. Every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificates at least once per calendar year. What is a gas certificate? 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 certified Gas Safe engineer after carrying an exhaustive inspection of all the gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home. The engineer will also verify that the ventilation passages in your property are free of obstruction to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in your home.
MK Gas Safety will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the gas appliances that were inspected and installations, along with their model, brand, and location in your property. The engineer will state whether the appliances are safe to use, and provide information about any work required to ensure the safety of your tenants.
You must provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days after the service. You should also provide it to new tenants once they start their tenure. In the event of a delay, it could result in fines or even criminal prosecution, so it's vital to be aware of your obligations.
Although homeowners don't need to have a Gas Safety Certificate, it's nevertheless a good idea to obtain one on an annual basis. This will not only put your mind at rest about the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but will help you identify any issues early. This could help you save money and time in the long-term.
Gas Safety Certificates are extremely useful for potential buyers when you're selling your house. They can show that you have taken care of all of your gas appliances and installations. It will also speed the process of selling as it does not require any additional inspections.
Who needs a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe. 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 provide your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. It is best to have this done before your current tenants move in or at the beginning of any new tenancies. You should also keep a copy of the certificate for yourself, along with any records of any maintenance work that you have carried out on your property's gas appliances.
The landlords' properties must be inspected for gas safety at least once every 12months. This includes all properties with gas appliances that are owned by the landlord, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord who doesn't have a valid gas safety certificate you could be facing huge fines (up to a total of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or the possibility of a criminal charge. The greatest danger is that a tenant could be injured or even killed by defective appliances at your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform the Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe engineers are trained to check and service appliances and installations safely. Landlords are able to check if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It is unique. Hologram.
It is not common for a tenant to not permit access to the rental property to conduct an Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these instances, it is important that the landlord informs the tenant the reason why this is a mandatory requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide can be if not detected on time.
If the tenant refuses to allow an engineer into the property the property, then the landlord could decide to issue the option of a Section 21 notice that ends their lease. This should be accompanied by an explanation as to why they are being forced out. For instance rent arrears, non-payment or severe damage to the property.
How do I get an gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is required for landlords to prove their rented properties meet the regulations of the government. However, some tenants may not allow gas engineers into their homes for this reason - which is frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords need to make sure tenants are aware that gas engineers aren't spies, and they only need access to their homes in order in order to fill out a legally required document. This will decrease the number of tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has conducted 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 known as a CP12 that stands for CORGI Proforma 12. CORGI used to be the Council for Registered Gas Installers However, it was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
The landlord must provide their existing tenants with a copy the document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the check being completed. They must also give the new tenant a copy on signing the Tenancy agreement. The landlord should ensure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the property. Landlords can obtain more information on these requirements, including free brochures 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 their property to perform the necessary gas safety checks, they may use a section 21 notice to evict tenants, if needed. It is important to remember, however, that a section 21 notice is only served if the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain entry for the gas safety inspection and has kept a record of these attempts. If a landlord does not follow the correct procedure for entry and then tries to evict tenants through illegal means, they could be found guilty of harassment and face hefty fines from regulators.
Why do I require a gas safety certificate?
Landlords require a gas safety certificate to ensure that the home they rent out is safe for tenants to reside in. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to make sure that all appliances are safe to use. Also, they should ensure that the gas pipes, appliances and flues are all in good working order.
This can help prevent accidents or fires that could be caused by faulty appliances, in addition to aiding in reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning which can occur if an appliance isn't properly maintained or installed. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to keep current. They can be fined when they don't.
Landlords need to show that their annual gas safety check was completed in a timely manner. This can be done by checking their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining the most recent certificate from the person who visited the property. The landlord has to fix any appliances that are unsafe or defective immediately to ensure the safety of the tenant.
Some landlords are unable to convince their tenants to allow them access to their properties in order to conduct gas safety checks. This could be due to a number of reasons, including the fact that they feel it's a violation of privacy or that they are currently in dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it's recommended for the landlord to send a strongly worded letter explaining why the gas safety checks are required and what they will entail. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant is unwilling to give access to the landlord, they must take additional steps. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. But, this is a very serious option which should be used only as an option last option.