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It is crucial to remember that it is only landlords that are accountable for gas safety inspections. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties and those who rent rooms or other holiday accommodation.
Landlords must demonstrate that the pipework and flues, as well as appliances, in their homes are safe before putting them up for sale. This can be done with an official gas safety certificate.
What is a Gas Safety Certification?
If you're a landlord or homeowner, you have to follow the law when it comes to keeping your gas appliances and installations in good functioning order. This is why every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificate at least once per year. But what exactly is a gas safety certificate? Who needs one?
A Gas Safe Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is an official document that is issued by a licensed Gas Safe engineer after carrying an extensive examination of all gas appliances and flues in your rental property. The engineer will also ensure that all ventilation channels are clear in your rental properties to avoid the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will provide you with the results of your annual inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will outline the results of your annual inspection. It will list all gas appliances and installations that were inspected, along with their make, model and location within your home. The engineer will determine if the appliances are safe to use and provide information about any work needed 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 follow the rules you could face fines or criminal prosecution.
While homeowners don't require a Gas Safety Certificate, it's an excellent idea to get one on an annual basis. This will not only set your mind at ease about the state of your heating and gas appliances, but can help you spot any problems early. This could help you save money and time in the long run.
Gas Safety Certificates can be extremely useful for potential buyers when selling your home. They can show that you've taken care of all 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 a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues that are in your rental home are safe for your tenants. You'll need to schedule regular inspections from a Gas Safe registered technician to make sure that everything is operating correctly.
After the inspection is completed, you'll need the original copy of your Gas Safety Certificate to give to your tenants. This should be done ideally prior to your tenants moving in, or at the beginning of any new lease. You should keep a copy of the document for yourself and keep records of any maintenance carried out on gas appliances in your property.
Landlords must have their properties inspected for gas safety at minimum every 12 months. This includes all properties with gas appliances owned by the landlord, as well as any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you are a landlord who does not have a valid certificate of gas safety, you could be subject to massive fines (upto PS6,000) and legal action from your tenants or even criminal charges. The most significant chance is that a tenant might be injured or even killed by faulty appliances in your rental home.
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 in a safe manner. Landlords can check an engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking for their ID card that has a unique hologram on it.
It is not common for a tenant not to permit access to the rental property in order to conduct a Gas Safety Check. However it can happen. In these situations it is essential that the landlord explains to the tenant the reason why this is a mandatory obligation and how harmful carbon monoxide may be if not detected on time.
If the tenant is refusing to allow an engineer in 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 followed by an explanation of why they are being forced out. For example, non-payment of rent or severe damage to the property.
How do I obtain a gas safety certification?
Landlords require an official gas safety certificate to prove their rental properties are in compliance with the regulations of the government. However, some tenants may refuse to allow gas engineers into their homes for this purpose - which is frustrating and unfair to landlords. Landlords should make sure to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers are not spies and only need access to complete a vital legally required document. gas safety certificate cost will help reduce the number of tenants who deny access to gas inspections.
After the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is confident that all appliances are safe to use, they will issue a Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This is also commonly known 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 must provide their current tenants with a copy of this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the check being completed. The landlord must also provide an applicant one upon signing the tenancy agreement. The landlord should also ensure that a carbon monoxide detector is equipped in each room used for living accommodation that is equipped with fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are fitted to each storey of the property. The HSE website has more details 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 is not able to gain access to their property in order to perform the necessary gas security checks, they can use a section 21 notice to remove tenants, if needed. It is important to note, however, that a notice under section 21 is only valid when the landlord has attempted at least three times to gain entry for the gas safety check and has kept records of these attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the correct procedure and then tries to expel their tenants illegally, they may be accused of harassment and could face heavy fines.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certification?
Landlords require an official gas safety certificate to ensure that the home they lease out is safe for tenants to live in. Gas engineers should conduct regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. This means that they must to make sure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good working in good working order.
This helps prevent fires or accidents that may be caused by defective appliances, as well as reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning, that can happen when appliances aren't properly maintained or installed. It is essential that landlords are current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be fined for not doing so.
Landlords have to show proof that they carried out their annual gas safety checks in a timely manner. You can check your Gas Safe Register online or get a copy from the engineer that 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 may have trouble persuading tenants to allow them access to the property for the gas safety inspections. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as the fact that they believe it's an invasion of privacy or that they are currently in a dispute with their landlord. It's recommended that the landlord write a letter which he explains why the gas safety inspection is required and what it will entail. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and should give the tenant 14 days to reply.
If the tenant is still refusing to give access to the landlord the landlord should think about taking another step. This could be the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. But, this is a serious step that should only be taken as a last resort.