Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - Common Mistakes Landlords Make<br /><br />Gas safety certificates for landlords assist landlords in complying with law and protect their tenants' lives. They reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by identifying any faulty appliances, flues and pipework that need to be fixed.<br /><br />These checks are usually done by an Gas Safe engineer and can be completed quickly. They are also easy to manage using digital tools that are integrated into full job management solutions.<br /><br />Requirements<br /><br />Landlords are required to provide gas safety certificates for gas safety. They must also ensure that tenants are able to access a qualified engineer for a check. This can be done by including a clause in your tenancy agreement that states that the property is accessible to Gas Safety checks. This will also clarify to the tenant what happens should they refuse access.<br /><br />Landlords must ensure that their properties have an active CP12 certificate, which is valid for 12 months. It is recommended to renew the certificate on the same day that the previous certificate expires, so that you don't waste days when the new and old certificates are in conflict. Recent changes to the law have given landlords more flexibility in when they conduct their inspections. However this doesn't mean they can cut down on their annual inspections.<br /><br />It is important to remember that only an engineer who has been registered with Gas Safe Register is legally permitted to work on gas appliances and piping, as well as flues and chimneys. A landlord who employs an engineer who isn't registered may be accused of an offense that is considered criminal.<br /><br />If a tenant does not permit access to the annual Gas Safety Check, the landlord has to send them a clear letter stating why they need access and what the inspection will be. If the landlord isn't able to receive a response and they aren't sure what to do, they can take other steps, such as sending an Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction. Installing inspection hatches allows engineers to inspect for leaks in gas, and also ensure that the appliance shutoff valve works.<br /><br />Tenant's responsibilities<br /><br />If you lease out your apartment in New York City, it's your responsibility to keep the gas lines safe. If you don't, your tenants may be injured in a fire. To ensure the safety of tenants, make sure that you have your NYC apartment's gas inspection performed by a qualified engineer. Also, you must ensure that your tenants can easily access the gas supply. If you're unsure of your obligations, consult a New York Apartment Fire Injury Lawyer right away.<br /><br />If you receive a gas safety certificate for your landlord it is important to provide your tenants with an official copy of the report at the beginning of their tenure or within a short time after the test is completed. It is also recommended to display it prominently in the building. If you are the owner of an apartment building with shared appliances, you may decide to separate the appliances and flues into distinct sections so that each section gets their own safety check.<br /><br />Sometimes, you may have tenants who don't want the engineer to conduct the safety inspections. It's usually because they feel it's an invasion of privacy or they're involved with a dispute with their landlord. It is important to remind them that carbon monoxide can be a deadly gas and it's your legal duty to protect them.<br /><br />If your tenants are not willing to allow the gas technician to perform the test, you should include a clause in the agreement that states that they must allow access to safety and maintenance inspections. The tenancy agreement should also clarify whether you can shut off gas supply, and if so and when it is permitted. It is also important to provide the worker with a way to identify him/her by the person, such as a scanned signature, a payroll number unique to them, or an employee ID.<br /><br />Access<br /><br />Every property that houses a gas appliance such as boilers must be equipped with a gas safety certification. If a landlord is not able to renew the certificate, they can face huge fines and also the possibility of making their tenants unnecessarily uncomfortable. To avoid this, it's essential that landlords keep their certificates current by booking an annual check of their tenants gas.<br /><br />The cost of a gas safety test is determined by a range of factors, including the location of the property and how many gas appliances it has. Gas safety checks cost between PS35 to PS150 per property. The price can vary greatly dependent on the location of the property as well as the gas company used.<br /><br />Landlords are required to provide an official copy of the gas safety record (also called a CP12) to their tenants. This document must be provided to tenants who have rented the property within 28 days of the inspection having been completed, and new tenants must be provided with it within 28 days of moving into the property. The landlord should keep a copy CP12 on the property and make sure it is easily accessible.<br /><br />Tenants can also make sure their landlord has a valid 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 or black marks on appliances, or other signs of trouble with the gas system. If they observe any of these symptoms, they should tell the landlord immediately.<br /><br />If a landlord is unable to gain access to their property to conduct a gas safety inspection and is unable to do so, they must prove that they have taken all "reasonable steps" to comply with laws. This could include repeat attempts to conduct checks and sending letters to tenants to inform them that safety checks are a requirement by law for their safety.<br /><br />Expiry date<br /><br />It is essential that landlords keep their gas safety certificates current. Failure to do this could result in unforeseen hazards for tenants and could lead to penalties from regulatory bodies. Failure to renew a certification on time could also result in the insurance of a landlord to be cancelled. However, navigating the complicated regulations that govern these certificates isn't always straightforward. Landlords frequently make mistakes when it comes time to perform these checks. They must be aware of these to avoid them.<br /><br />Landlords are legally obligated to conduct annual gas safety tests of all the appliances on site and flues. They must also give copies to tenants who have rented the property within 28 days of the test, and new tenants at the beginning of their tenure. They must also keep a copy in a prominent spot at the property. The landlords must also keep a record of these tests for a minimum of two years.<br /><br />Since the 6th of April, 2018 the regulations have been modified to allow landlords more flexibility in arranging their gas safety inspections. This change allows landlords to have their gas safety inspections carried out up to two months before the due date, while still preserving the expiry date of the check. It is important to book a check well ahead of time and don't believe that there is a grace period.<br /><br />If a landlord does not have a gas safety test completed prior to their current certificate expires date, they will not be able to let their properties until the new checks are done. Landlords need to be aware that this is a serious breach of regulation and they can face substantial fines.<br /><br /><br /><br />Recommendations<br /><br />As a landlord, you have to ensure that your gas safety certificate is current at all times. <a href="https://www.mkgassafety.co.uk/landlord-gas-safety-certificates-newport-pagnell/">MK Gas Safety</a> should also keep copies of your previous certificates for a minimum of two years. It's a good idea shop around for a competitive cost, since prices may vary.<br /><br />During the inspection, you will be given an Landlord Gas Safety Record. This is vital to provide new tenants with the necessary documents before they move in and for demonstrating compliance with legal obligations. The record includes an explanation of and the location of the gas appliances and flues that have been examined. It also lists the dates of their tests and any action taken by the engineer. It should also include the name and registration number of the engineer who carried out the test, as well as an unique identifier. This could be an scanned ID card, an electronic signature or the payroll code, which is unique to each person who uses it.<br /><br />The engineer will record any flues or appliances that are considered to be unsafe on the safety check record. The landlord then has to arrange the necessary repairs. If the problem is not resolved within a reasonable time frame the engineer can shut off the gas supply and request it be disconnected again until repairs are made.<br /><br />Landlords are required to fulfill a variety of responsibilities to their tenants, and keeping up-to-date with regular gas safety checks is one of the most important. Failure to adhere to regulations could result in a fine or even imprisonment in the event of a fatal accident.<br /><br />