Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is important to keep in mind that only landlords are accountable for ensuring the safety of gas. This applies to landlords of residential dwellings as well as those who lease rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to demonstrate that the pipework, appliances and flues in their properties are safe before putting them up for sale. This can be done by having an official gas safety certificate.
What is gas safety certificate landlord ?
Whether you're a landlord or homeowner, you have to adhere to the law when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installation in good operating condition. That's why every property owner needs to get 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 an official document issued by a qualified Gas Safe engineer after carrying an extensive examination of all gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home. The engineer will also check that all ventilation channels are clear within your rental property to avoid dangerous carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all of the gas appliances that were inspected and installations, including their model, brand, and location in your property. landlord gas safety certificate will then state whether they found the appliance to be safe to use or not, and give details of the work that needs to be completed to ensure the security of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll have to provide it to your current tenants within 28 days of receiving the service and give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure. Failure to do this could result in fines, or even criminal prosecution, so it's important to be aware of your obligations.
Although homeowners do not need a Gas Safety Certificate, it's still a good idea to get one every year. This will not just put your mind at rest about the condition of your heating and gas appliances, but will help you spot any issues in advance. This can save you time and money in the long run.
If you're planning to sell your home and are thinking of selling it, the Gas Safety Certificate will prove an invaluable asset to prospective buyers as it will demonstrate that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. It will also speed the process of conveyancing since it does not require any additional checks.
Who requires a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord, it's your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe. This means you'll have to arrange regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure everything is working properly.
You'll need your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. This should be done prior to the time your tenants move in or at the start of any new tenancy. Keep a copy of the document for yourself and keep records of any maintenance performed on the gas appliances that are in your property.
Landlords are required to have their properties checked for gas safety at least once every 12months. This includes both the landlord's personal gas appliances and any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord and don't possess an official gas safety certificate, you could face hefty fines (up to PS6,000) and court actions from your tenants or even the possibility of a criminal charge. The most significant risk, however, is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed as a result of faulty appliances in your rental property.
Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to conduct a Gas Safety check. This is because only they are trained to safely examine gas appliances and installations. Landlords can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking at their ID card, with unique holograms on it.
Although it's not common for tenants to deny access to their rental property in order to permit an Gas Safety Check, it is possible to do so. In these instances it is essential that the landlord explains to the tenant why this is a mandatory requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide could be if it is not detected on time.
If the tenant is unwilling to let an engineer in and the landlord is not willing to let an engineer in, then the landlord might decide to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be accompanied with an explanation of why they're being evicted. For example rent arrears, non-payment or significant damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certificate?
Landlords require gas safety certificates to ensure that their rental properties meet the regulations of the government. Some tenants will not allow a gas engineer to enter their residence for this reason, which is frustrating for landlords. Landlords should ensure tenants are aware that gas engineers aren't spies and only need to access their homes to complete a legally required document. This will help to reduce the number of tenants who are unable to give access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is sure that the appliances are safe for use, they will issue an 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 the document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the date that the check is completed. They must also give an applicant an original copy when they sign the lease. The landlord should ensure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in every room that has fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms must be installed on every floor of the property. Landlords can find 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 not able to gain access to their property to perform the necessary gas safety checks, they can make use of the section 21 notice to expel tenants. A section 21 notice 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 a record of the attempts. If a landlord does not adhere to the proper procedure for entry and then tries to expel tenants using illegal means, they may be found guilty of harassment and could face substantial fines from regulators.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords must be issued an official certificate of gas safety to ensure that the house they lease is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must conduct regular checks to make sure that 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 to stop any fires, accidents, or carbon monoxide poisoning that can be caused by faulty equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to keep current. They can be fined when they don't.
Landlords have to prove that they have carried out their annual gas safety inspections in a timely manner. They can prove this by reviewing their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining a copy of the latest certificate from the person who visited the property. The landlord is required to repair any appliances that are dangerous or malfunctioning immediately to ensure the safety of tenants.
Some landlords have difficulty convincing their tenants to grant access to their property in order to conduct gas safety inspections. It could be because they feel that it would violate their privacy, or are having a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it is an ideal idea for the landlord to write a strongly worded letter explaining the reasons why gas safety checks are necessary and what they'll mean. The letter can be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant will have 14 days to reply.
If the tenant is still refusing to allow the landlord access then they should consider taking another step. This could include drafting a Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction to compel them to grant access. However, this is a serious decision that should only be considered as an option last resort.