It is vital to remember that it is only landlords who have responsibility for gas safety checks. This applies to both landlords who own residential properties and those who lease rooms or holiday accommodation.
Landlords need to prove that the pipework and flues, as well as appliances, in their homes are safe before they put them up for sale. Gas safety certificates can help in achieving this.
What is a gas safety certificate?
You must abide by the law, whether you're a landlord, or a homeowner, when it comes to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in a good condition. That's why every property owner must be issued a gas safety certificate at least once a year. What exactly is a gas safety certificate? And who needs 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 full inspection of your rental's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also ensure that all ventilation channels are free of obstructions in your rental properties to prevent the risk of carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations, including their model, make and location within your home. The engineer will then state whether they found the appliances to be safe to use or not, and will provide details of any work that needs to be completed to ensure the safety of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll have to provide it to your tenants who are currently residing in your home within 28 days of the service and give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure. Failure to do so could result in fines or criminal prosecution, so it's important to consider your responsibilities seriously.
Although homeowners do not need to have a Gas Safety Certificate, it's still a good idea to get one annually. This will not only set your mind at ease regarding the condition of your gas and heating appliances, but help you identify any problems early. This can save you a lot of money and stress in the long in the long.
Gas Safety Certificates are useful for potential buyers when you're selling your home. They can prove that you've taken care of all your gas appliances and installations. It also speeds the process of selling as it doesn't require additional checks.
Who needs an official certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances and flues in 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 to give your tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. It is best to have this done before your tenants move in or at the beginning of any new tenancies. Keep a copy of the certificate for yourself along with any records of any maintenance work that you have performed on your home's gas appliances.
Landlords are legally required to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's own gas appliances and any appliances provided to tenants.
If you're a landlord that doesn't possess a valid gas safety certificate you could be facing massive penalties (up to PS6,000), court action from your tenants or even a criminal charge. The biggest risk is that one of your tenants could be injured or killed due to malfunctioning appliances in your rental property.
The only people who can carry out an Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. This is because they are trained to safely inspect, service and test gas appliances and installations. Landlords are able to check if an engineer is registered with the MK Gas Safety Safe Register by checking their ID card. It is unique. Hologram.
It is rare for a tenant not to permit access to the rental property to conduct an Gas Safety Check. However, it does happen. In these situations it is crucial that the landlord explain to the tenant why this is a legal requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide may be if not detected in time.
If a tenant still won't allow an engineer to enter their home The landlord should consider serving them with a Section 21 notice to end their tenancy. This should be accompanied with an explanation of the reason they're being removed. For instance rent arrears, non-payment or serious damage to the property.
How do I get an gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to show that their rented properties meet the regulations of the government. However, some tenants may refuse to let gas engineers enter their homes for this reason which is a source of frustration and unfair for landlords. Landlords need to make sure tenants know that gas engineers aren't spying and only need to access their homes in order to fill out a legally required document. This will help to reduce the number of tenants who refuse to give access to gas inspections.
Once the gas engineer has completed the necessary checks and is sure that all appliances are safe to use they will issue a Landlord Gas Safety Record document. This 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 is required to provide their existing tenants with a copy of this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the date that the check is completed. The landlord must also provide the new tenant an original copy when they sign the Tenancy agreement. The landlord must ensure that a carbon dioxide detector has been installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, but not gas cookers. Smoke alarms should be installed on each floor of the property. The HSE website provides more information for landlords, including free leaflets and 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 the property to conduct the required gas safety inspections, they may use the section 21 notice if necessary to expel tenants. It is important to keep in mind, however, that a section 21 notice is only served when the landlord has had at least three attempts to gain entry for the gas safety check and has maintained records of these attempts. If a landlord fails to adhere to the proper procedure and tries evicting their tenants unlawfully and is found guilty of harassing and could face heavy fines.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have a certificate of gas safety to ensure that the home they lease is safe for tenants. This means they must regularly check with an approved gas engineer to ensure that the appliances are safe to use. This means that they need to make sure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good working condition.
This can help prevent fires or accidents that could be caused by defective appliances, while also reducing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can happen if an appliance isn't properly maintained or installed. It is essential that landlords keep current with their Gas Safety certificates, as they could be penalized if they don't.
Landlords must be able to show that their annual gas safety test was completed on time. This can be done by checking their Gas Safe register online, or by obtaining the most recent certificate from the engineer who visited the property. If any of the appliances show as dangerous or defective, the landlord must get them fixed immediately to protect the safety and health of the tenant.
Some landlords have trouble convincing their tenants to grant access to their property in order to conduct gas safety inspections. It could be because they believe that it violates their privacy, or are having a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it's recommended to ask the landlord to write an extremely clear letter explaining the reasons why gas safety checks are required and what they will entail. The letter can be sent via recorded delivery and the tenant will have 14 days to respond.
If the tenant does not allow access to the landlord, they must take further action. This could include the use of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. This is a serious action that should only be considered only as a last resort.
