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Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - Common Mistakes Landlords Make

Landlord gas certificates help landlords comply with the law while safeguarding their tenants. These checks reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by identifying any defective appliances, flues or pipework that need to be fixed.

These checks are usually performed by a Gas Safe engineer and can be completed quickly. They are also easy to manage using digital tools that can be integrated into full job management systems.

Requirements

Landlords are required to provide gas safety certificates. They also have to make sure that their tenants have the ability to access a qualified engineer for the purpose of a test. The best way to do this is to include an agreement in the tenancy agreement stating that the property will be accessible for Gas Safety checks. It will also be clear to the tenant what happens if they refuse to allow access.

Landlords are required to ensure that their properties have a valid CP12 certificate, which is valid for 12 months. Renewals should be scheduled on the same date as the expiration of the previous certificate to avoid having to wait when the two certificates overlap. Recent changes to the law have provided landlords more flexibility in when they conduct their inspections. However, this does not mean that they are able to cut down their annual inspections.

It is important to keep in mind that only registered engineers with Gas Safe Register are legally authorized to work with gas piping, appliances and flues. A landlord who employs an engineer who isn't registered may be accused of an offence that is criminal.

If a tenant refuses to permit access to the annual Gas Safety Check, the landlord has to send them a strongly worded letter explaining why they require access and what the inspection will involve. If the landlord does not receive a response, they may consider taking further actions like the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an injunction. Installing inspection hatches allows engineers to inspect for gas leaks and also ensure that the appliance shutoff valve works.

Tenants are responsible for their actions

It's your responsibility to ensure that the gas lines in your apartment are secure. If you do not, your tenants could end up suffering injuries in a fire. To ensure the safety of tenants, have your NYC apartment's gas inspection performed by a licensed engineer. Also, you should ensure that your tenants have access to the gas supply. If you are unsure of your obligations, talk to a New York Apartment Injury Lawyer as soon as possible.

If you are granted a landlord gas safety certificate, it's important to provide your tenants an official copy of the report at the beginning of their tenancy, or as soon as you can after the test is completed. It is also recommended to display it prominently in your property. If you are the landlord of an apartment that shares appliances, you may want to divide the appliances and flues into separate sections so that each section receives its own safety check.

Occasionally, you might find tenants who refuse to allow the engineer to conduct the security checks. This is usually because the tenant believes it's an invasion of their privacy, or they're in a dispute. Make sure to remind them that carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas and it's your legal obligation to ensure their safety.

If your tenants aren't ready to allow the gas operative to carry out the test, it's a good idea to include an agreement which states that they must permit access to the gas operative for maintenance or safety checks. The tenancy agreement should also state whether you can disconnect the gas supplies, and if so and when it is permitted. You should also provide the worker a method of identify themselves as a unique individual, such as a scanned-in signature, an employee ID, or a pay number that is unique to them.

Access

A gas safety certificate for landlords is required for any property that has gas appliances, such as a boiler. If a landlord is not able to renew their certificate, they could face hefty fines and a risk of making their tenants unnecessarily uncomfortable. To avoid this, landlords should always keep their certificates up to date by booking an annual gas test for their tenants.

The cost of a gas safety check is determined by a range of factors, including the location of the property and the number of gas appliances it has. In general the gas safety check costs between PS35 and PS150 per property. However, the cost could vary greatly based on the location and gas company that is used.

Landlords must provide an official copy of the gas safety record (also known as a CP12) to their tenants. This document should be handed to tenants within 28 working days after the inspection has been completed. New tenants must receive it within 28 working days of moving in. Landlords should keep a copy of the CP12 on the property and ensure it is easily accessible.

Tenants can also ensure that their landlord holds an appropriate gas safety certificate by ensuring they have access to the property and that any appliances owned by them are not connected to mains gas. They should also be looking for clunking noises, black marks on appliances, or other signs of trouble with the gas system. They should immediately notify the landlord if they notice any of these indications.

If a landlord cannot gain access to the property to conduct a gas safety inspection and is unable to do so, they must prove that they have taken all "reasonable steps" to be in compliance with the laws. This could mean repeating attempts to conduct the checks, and writing to the tenant to inform them that the safety checks are required by law to ensure their own security.

Expiry date

It is vital that landlords keep their gas safety certificates up-to-date. Failure to do so could result in unexpected hazards and penalties from regulatory agencies. Failure to renew a certificate in time can also cause the insurance of a landlord to be canceled. It's not always easy to navigate the complicated regulations that surround these certificates. Landlords often make mistakes when it comes time to perform these checks. They should be aware of these mistakes to avoid them.

Landlords are legally required to arrange annual gas safety checks of all onsite appliances and flues. They are also required to provide copies to tenants who have been living with them for a minimum of 28 days following the test, and to new tenants at the time they begin their tenure. The copy must be displayed in a prominent spot on the property. The landlords must also keep a record of these tests for at least two years.

Since 6th April 2018, the regulations have changed slightly to allow landlords more flexibility when getting their gas safety checks done. This change allows a landlord to get their gas safety inspection carried out up to two months in advance of the due date while maintaining the current expiry date. It is important to book the check in advance and not think that there is an extension period.

If a landlord fails to get their gas safety inspections completed before the date that their current certificate expires, they'll be unable to let their property until they have the new checks completed. Landlords should be aware that this is a grave breach of regulation and they can face substantial penalties.

Recommendations

As a landlord, you have to ensure that your gas safety certificate remains current at all times. Keep copies of previous certificates for a minimum of two years. It's a good idea to search for a fair cost, as prices can differ.

During the inspection the engineer will provide you with the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record. This document is essential to give the new tenants prior to their move-in, and to prove compliance with legal requirements. The document includes a description of all gas safety certificate replacement appliances tested and their locations. It also lists the test dates and any actions taken by the engineer. It should also include the name and registration number of the engineer who conducted the test, along with a unique identifier. This could be a scanned ID card, a digital signature or an employee's payroll code that is unique to each employee.

If the engineer finds any appliance or flue to be unsafe, they will mention this on the safety check record. The landlords then have to arrange for the appropriate repairs to be done. If the problem cannot be resolved within a reasonable period of time, the engineer can cut off the gas supply.

Landlords have many obligations to their tenants and keeping up to date with annual gas safety inspections is among the most important. Infractions to the rules could result in a fine, or even imprisonment should a fatal accident occur.