15 Reasons To Not Ignore Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is essential to keep in mind that only landlords are accountable for the gas safety check. This applies to landlords of residential dwellings and those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to prove that the pipes, appliances and flues within their properties are safe prior to putting them on the market. Gas safety certificates can assist you to achieve this.
What is a Gas Safety Certification?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you must to adhere to the law when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installations in good working order. Every property owner should get their gas safety certificates at least once a calendar year. What is a gas safety certificate? 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 an official Gas Safe engineer who has completed a thorough inspection of your rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also check that all ventilation channels are in good working order in your rental properties to avoid the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will provide the results of your annual inspection. It will list all gas appliances and installations that were examined, along with their make and model, as well as the location of your home. The engineer will then state whether they believe the appliances to be safe for use or not, and give details of any work that must be done to ensure the safety of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll need to give it to your tenants who are currently residing in your home within 28 days of receiving the service and give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. Failure to do this could result in fines, or even criminal prosecution, so it's vital to be aware of your obligations.
Although homeowners do not need to have a Gas Safety Certificate, it's still a good idea to have one every year. Not only will this put your mind at ease regarding the health of your gas and heating appliances, but it could also help you catch any problems early on. This will save you time and money in the long-term.
If you're considering selling your home, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove very beneficial to potential buyers as it will demonstrate that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. It will also speed the process of selling as it doesn't require additional inspections.
Who is in need of a gas safety certificate?
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that any gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home are safe for your tenants. This means you'll have to arrange regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure that everything is in good working order.
After the inspection has been completed and you're ready to get a copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. It is recommended to do this prior to your tenants moving in or at the start of a new tenancy. Keep a copy of the certificate for yourself along with any records of maintenance carried out on your property's gas appliances.
Landlords must have their properties examined for gas safety at minimum once every 12months. This includes both the landlord's personal gas appliances as well as any appliances provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord who doesn't possess an official gas safety certificate you could be facing hefty penalties (up to a total of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or an indictment. The biggest risk is that one of your tenants might be injured or killed due to malfunctioning appliances in your rental property.
The only person who can conduct an Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. They are the only ones who have been trained to safely inspect, service and test gas appliances and installations. Landlords can verify if an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It has a unique Hologram.
While it's uncommon for a tenant to refuse access to their rental property to permit an Gas Safety Check, it can happen. In homeowner gas safety certificate for the landlord to explain to the tenant why this is a legal requirement and also that carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous if not detected promptly.
If the tenant refuses to allow an engineer into the property the property, then the landlord could decide to issue a Section 21 notice that ends their tenancy. This should be accompanied with an explanation as to why they're being evicted. For instance, non-payment of rent or significant damage to the property.
How do I obtain an gas safety certification?
Landlords require an official gas safety certificate to ensure that their rental properties comply with government regulations. Some tenants are reluctant to allow a gas engineer to enter their house for this purpose, which is frustrating for landlords. Landlords should make sure to get the word out to their tenants that gas technicians are not agents of the state and require access only to complete an essential legally required document. This will help to reduce the number of tenants who are unable to allow access for gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is satisfied that the appliances are safe for use, they will issue an Landlord Gas Safety Record document. It is also referred to as a CP12, which stands for CORGI Proforma 12. CORGI used to be the Council for Registered Gas Installers, but was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register.
The landlord must provide their current tenants with a copy this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the date that the check is completed. The landlord must also provide an applicant a copy on signing the lease. The landlord should also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed in each room used as 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 details for landlords, such as free leaflets along with an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If a landlord is unable to gain access to their property 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 remember that a section 21 notice is only valid when the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain entry for the gas safety check and has maintained records of these attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the correct procedure and tries evicting their tenants unlawfully and is accused of harassment and face heavy fines.
Why do I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have a gas safety certification to ensure that the property they rent out is safe for tenants to live in. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to make sure that all appliances are safe to use. This means that they must to ensure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good working in good working order.
This will prevent any accidents, fires, or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by faulty equipment. It is crucial that landlords keep up-to-date with their Gas Safety certificates, as they can be fined if they don't.
Landlords have to show proof that they completed their annual gas safety inspections in time. This can be done by checking their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining an original copy of the most recent certificate from the engineer who visited the property. If any of the appliances are identified as dangerous or defective the landlord should have them repaired immediately to ensure the health and safety of the tenants.
Some landlords may be having difficulty convincing their tenants to allow them access to the property for the gas safety checks. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that they feel it's a violation of privacy or that they are currently in dispute with their landlord. It's recommended that the landlord write a letter which he explains why the gas safety check is necessary and what it's going to involve. This letter could be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant should be given 14 days to respond.
If the tenant still refuses to give access to the landlord then they should consider taking another step. This could include the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. This is a serious measure that should only be considered in the last option.