Indisputable Proof Of The Need For Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is crucial to remember that it's only landlords who have responsibility for gas safety checks. This applies to landlords of residential dwellings and those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodations.
Before they can put their property for sale, landlords must be able demonstrate that the plumbing and appliances in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can assist in achieving this.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you must to adhere to the law in regards to keeping your gas appliances and installation in good working order. Every property owner must obtain their gas safety certificates at least once in a calendar year. But what exactly is a gas safety certificate? And who needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document that is issued by a qualified Gas Safe engineer after carrying out a full inspection of all gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home. The engineer will also ensure that the ventilation passages of your home are clean to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list all of the inspected gas appliances and installations, along with their make, model and the location of your property. The engineer will determine whether the appliances are safe to use, and will provide information on the work required to ensure your tenants' safety.
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 start of their tenure. If you don't comply you could face fines or criminal prosecution.
While homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate, it's still a good idea to have one on an annual basis. This will not only put your mind at ease about the state of your gas and heating appliances, but it will also help you catch any issues early. This will save you time and money in the long-term.
If you're thinking of selling your home If you're thinking of selling your home, a Gas Safety Certificate will prove extremely useful to potential buyers since it can prove that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it can accelerate the process of selling as it will not require additional inspections.
Who needs a gas safety certificate?
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that any gas appliances or flues in your rental property are safe for your tenants. This means you'll have to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure that everything is in good working order.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection has been completed. Ideally, this will be completed prior to when your current tenants move in or at the start of any new leases. You should keep an original copy for yourself as well as documentation of any maintenance you have carried out on gas appliances in your property.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties checked for gas safety at least every 12 months. This includes the landlord's gas appliances and any appliances provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord that doesn't have a valid gas safety certificate you could be facing hefty penalties (up to PS6,000) and court actions from your tenants or even an indictment. The greatest danger is that a tenant could be injured or even killed due to defective appliances in your rental home.
The only person who can carry out a Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to inspect and service appliances and installations safely. Landlords can verify the engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card that has an exclusive hologram.
Although it's not uncommon for tenants to deny access to their rental property to permit an Gas Safety Check, it could happen. In these instances, it is important that the landlord explains to the tenant why this is a legal obligation and how harmful carbon monoxide could be if not detected in time.
If a tenant continues to refuse to let an engineer into their home, the landlord should consider serving them with the Section 21 notice to end their lease. This should be followed by an explanation of why they're being evicted. For example rent arrears, non-payment or serious damage to the property.
How can I obtain an gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to show that their properties are in compliance with the regulations of the government. However, some tenants might refuse to let gas engineers enter their homes for this purpose - which is frustrating and unfair for landlords. Landlords should try to communicate to their tenants that gas technicians are not spying and are only required to complete an important, legally required document. This will help reduce the number of tenants who refuse access to gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer after they have completed the necessary checks. This is also known as a CP12 which 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 has to give an original copy to current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the check has been completed. A new tenant will receive one when they sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord must also make sure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in each room with fixed combustion appliances, except for gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the property. The HSE website has more information for landlords, including free leaflets as well as an Approved Code of Practice to manage gas Installations and Appliances within a rental Property.
If a landlord cannot gain access to their property to carry out the necessary gas safety checks, they may make use of a section 21 notice to remove the tenants, if appropriate. It is important to keep in mind that a section 21 notice can only be served if the landlord has had at least three attempts to gain access for the gas safety inspection and has maintained records of these attempts. If the landlord fails to follow the proper procedure and tries evicting their tenants unlawfully and is found guilty of harassment and face heavy fines.
Why do I require a gas safety certification?
Landlords must have an official gas safety certificate to ensure that the home they rent out is safe for tenants to reside in. Gas engineers should conduct regular checks to ensure that all appliances are safe for use. Also, they must ensure that the gas pipes, appliances and flues are in good working order.
This will avoid any fires, accidents or carbon monoxide poisoning that could be caused by defective equipment. It is crucial that landlords keep current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be penalized for not doing so.
Landlords need to be able show proof that they completed their annual gas safety checks in time. They can do this by reviewing their Gas Safe register online, or by getting the most recent certificate from the person who visited the property. If any of the appliances are identified as unsafe or inoperable the landlord should have them fixed immediately to protect the tenant's health and safety.
Some landlords may be having difficulty persuading their tenants to let them access the property for gas safety inspections. It could be because they believe that it violates their privacy or are in a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it's an ideal idea to ask the landlord to write an extremely clear letter explaining the reasons why gas safety checks are required and what they'll entail. This can be sent by recorded delivery and will give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant does not allow access to the landlord, they should take additional steps. This could be the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service is a serious action which should only be used in the last resort.