Are You Getting The Most From Your Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords?

Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords It is essential to remember that only landlords are accountable for the gas safety check. This is the case for landlords of residential dwellings and those who rent out rooms or holiday accommodations. Landlords must demonstrate that the pipework and flues, as well as appliances, within their properties are safe before putting them up for sale. Gas safety certificates can help in achieving this. What is a gas safety certification? Whether you're a landlord or homeowner, you need to follow the law in regards to keeping your gas appliances and installations in good working order. This is 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? 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 exhaustive examination of all gas appliances and flues within your rental property. The engineer will also test that the ventilation passages in your property are free of obstruction to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide build-up. The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your yearly inspection. The Gas Safe Certificate will provide the results of your yearly inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations that were examined as well as their model, make and model as well as their location within your property. The engineer will state if the appliances are safe to use, and provide details on any work needed to ensure the safety of your tenants. You will need to provide your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate to your tenants within 28 days after the service. You must also give it to new tenants once they start their tenancy. Failure to do this could result in fines, or even criminal prosecution, so it's crucial to be aware of your obligations. Although homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate, it's an excellent idea to get one on an annual basis. Not only will this put your mind at ease regarding the health of your gas and heating appliances, but it can also help you catch any problems early on. This could save you time and money in the long run. If you're considering selling your home and are thinking of selling it, you should get a Gas Safety Certificate will prove an invaluable asset to prospective buyers because it will show that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. Additionally, it can expedite the process of conveyancing as it will not require additional checks. Who requires an official certificate of gas safety? As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that all flues and gas appliances in your rental property are safe. You'll need to arrange for regular inspections from a Gas Safe registered technician to make sure that everything is operating correctly. You'll need to provide your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. It is best to have this completed before your new tenants move in, or at the start of any new tenancies. You should keep an original copy of the document for yourself and keep records of any maintenance carried out on gas appliances in your property. Landlords are legally obliged to have their properties inspected for gas safety at least every 12 months. This includes all properties with gas appliances that are owned by the landlord, and any appliances that are provided for use by tenants. If you're a landlord who doesn't have a valid gas safety certificate and you're not licensed, you could be subject to hefty penalties (up to a maximum of PS6,000), court action from your tenants or an indictment. The biggest chance is that a tenant might be injured or even killed by faulty appliances in your rental property. Only Gas Safe engineers are qualified to perform the Gas Safety check. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to inspect and service appliances and installations safely. Landlords can determine whether an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register by checking their ID card. It is unique. Hologram. Although it's not uncommon for tenants to deny access to their rental property in order to permit a Gas Safety Check, it can happen. In these instances it is essential that the landlord explains to the tenant the reason why this is a mandatory requirement and how hazardous carbon monoxide can be if it is not detected on time. If the tenant refuses to allow an engineer into the property, then the landlord may be tempted to issue an Section 21 notice that ends their tenure. This should be accompanied with an explanation of why they are being forced out. For example the non-payment of rent, or serious damage to the property. How do I get an gas safety certification? A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to prove that their rented properties meet the regulations of the government. However, some tenants may not allow gas engineers enter their homes for this reason which is a source of frustration and unfair to landlords. Landlords need to make sure tenants know that gas engineers aren't spying, and they only need access to their homes in order to sign a legally-required document. This will help reduce the number of tenants who are unable to access gas inspections. The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer once they have completed the necessary checks. This is also commonly known as a CP12 that stands for CORGI Proforma 12. CORGI was once the Council for Registered Gas Installers, but was replaced in April 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The landlord must give copies to their current tenants within 28 days (about 4 weeks) after the inspection is completed. A new tenant will receive an original copy of the check when they sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord must also make sure that a carbon monoxide detector is installed in each room used for living space that has fixed combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and that smoke alarms are fitted to each floor of the property. The HSE website has more details for landlords, such as free leaflets and an Approved Code of Practice to Manage Gas Installations and Appliances within a rental Property. If a landlord is unable to gain access to the property to perform the necessary gas safety inspections, they can apply for a section 21 notice to expel tenants. A notice of section 21 is only valid if the landlord has made at least three unsuccessful attempts to gain access to the property to conduct the gas safety test and kept records of those attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the proper procedure and attempts to evict their tenants illegally they could be found guilty of harassment and face heavy fines. What is the reason I need a gas safety certification? Landlords require an official gas safety certificate to ensure that the property they lease out is safe for tenants to reside in. Gas engineers should conduct regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. This means they have to make sure that the gas pipelines and appliances are in good working condition. This will help stop any fires, accidents, or carbon monoxide poisoning which could be caused by faulty equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to keep current. They could be penalized for not doing so. gas safe installation certificate must be able to show proof that they completed their annual gas safety inspections in a timely manner. 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 inspected the property. If any of the appliances show as dangerous or defective the landlord should have them fixed immediately to protect the safety and health of the tenant. Some landlords may be having difficulty persuading their tenants to allow them access the house for gas safety checks. It could be because they feel that it would violate their privacy, or they are having a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it is an ideal idea for the landlord to write an extremely clear letter explaining the reason why the gas safety inspections are necessary and what they'll mean. This letter could be delivered by recorded delivery and the tenant will have 14 days to respond. If the tenant is unwilling to give the landlord access they must take additional steps. This could be the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. This is a serious step that should only be taken only as a last resort.