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Landlord Gas Safety Certificates – Common Mistakes Landlords Make Gas safety certificates for landlords aid landlords in complying with the law and protect their tenants' lives. These checks reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by identifying any faulty appliances, flues and pipework that need to be repaired. These checks can be completed quickly by Gas Safe engineers. They are also simple to manage using digital tools that integrate into full job management solutions. Requirements Gas safety certificate s for landlords are a legal requirement, and landlords must ensure that all their tenants have access to a certified engineer to conduct an inspection. The best method to accomplish this is to include a clause in the tenancy agreement which states that the property will be accessible to a qualified engineer for Gas Safety checks. This will also make it clear to the tenant that if they don't allow access the landlord will take the appropriate steps to enforce the rules. Landlords need to ensure that their properties have an active CP12 certification, which is valid for 12 months. Renewals must be made on the same day as the expiration of the previous certificate to avoid the waste of time when the two certificates cross. A recent update to the law has given landlords more flexibility in the time they conduct their inspections, but it's important to note that this does not mean that landlords will be able to shorten the duration of their annual inspections. It is also important to remember that only an engineer registered with Gas Safe Register is legally authorized to work on gas appliances and piping and chimneys and flues. A landlord who hires an engineer who isn't registered may be charged with a criminal offense. If a tenant refuses to allow access for the annual Gas Safety Check, the landlord must send them a clearly worded letter stating why they need access and what the inspection will entail. If the landlord does not receive an answer, they could think about taking further steps such as an Section 21 Notice or applying to the court for an Injunction. It is also a good idea to install inspection hatches inside the property to allow the engineer to examine for gas leaks and ensure that the appliance shut-off valve works. Tenants have responsibilities It's your responsibility to ensure that the gas lines in your apartment are secure. Your tenants could be at risk to suffer injuries if you don't take care. In order to ensure the safety of your tenants it is recommended that you conduct a NYC apartment gas inspection performed by a licensed gas engineer. You should also ensure that your tenants have easy access to the gas supply. If you are not sure about your obligations, consult an New York Apartment Injury Lawyer as soon as possible. It is essential that you hand your tenants the gas safety certificate of the landlord at the start of their tenancy, or as soon as is possible. It should be displayed prominently in the building. If you're the owner of a house that shares appliances, you can divide the appliances and flues into separate parts to ensure that each one receives its own gas safety checks. Sometimes, tenants who aren't willing to let the engineer to conduct the safety inspections. The reason is usually that the tenant is concerned about intrusion of their privacy, or they're in a dispute. Remind them that carbon monoxide can be a dangerous gas, and it's your legal obligation to protect the environment. If your tenants aren't ready to allow the gas operative to conduct the test, it's worth including the clause in their lease that requires them to grant access to the gas operative for maintenance or safety checks. The tenancy contract should also define whether or not you can cut off gas supply and when it is permissible. You should also provide the employee with a method to identify him or her, eg a scanned signature or a unique payroll number to them, or an employee ID. Access A landlord gas safety certificate is required for every property with a gas appliance, such as boilers. A landlord who fails to renew their certificate could face heavy fines and the risk of making tenants feel uncomfortable. To avoid this, landlords should ensure that their certificates are up-to-date by scheduling an annual gas check for their tenants. The cost of a safety inspection for gas appliances is determined by various factors, including the location of the house and the quantity of gas appliances that are in the home. Gas safety checks cost anywhere from PS35 to PS150 per property. The cost varies dependent on the location of the property as well as the gas company that is employed. Landlords must provide an original copy of the gas safety record (also known as a CP12) to their tenants. This document must be given to tenants within 28 days after the check is completed. New tenants should be provided with the document within 28 days after moving in. Landlords should keep a copy of the CP12 on the property and ensure that it is easily accessible. Tenants can also help to ensure that their landlord has an appropriate gas safety certificate by ensuring that they have access to the property and that any appliances owned by them are not connected to mains gas. They should also look for clunking sounds, look for black marks on appliances or other signs that the gas system is not working properly. They should notify the landlord if they notice any of these indications. If a landlord isn't in a position to gain access to the property to conduct a gas safety inspection the landlord must prove that they took all 'reasonable steps' to comply with the law. This could include making repeated attempts to conduct checks and sending letters to tenants to inform them that safety checks are a requirement by law for their protection. Expiry date It is crucial that landlords keep their gas safety certificates up to date. Failure to do this could lead to unforeseen hazards and penalties from regulatory agencies. In addition, failing renew a certificate in time could cause a landlord lose their insurance cover. It can be difficult to navigate the complex regulations that surround these certificates. Landlords are often prone to making mistakes when it comes time to perform these checks. They must be aware of these issues to avoid them. Landlords are required to conduct annual gas safety tests of all appliances and flues within their premises. They must also provide copies to tenants who have been with them for a minimum of 28 days after the test and to new tenants when they begin their tenancy. They must also place a copy of the test in a prominent place in the property. Landlords must keep records of these tests for a minimum of two years. Since the 6th April, 2018 the regulations have been changed slightly to give landlords more flexibility when it comes to getting their gas safety inspections completed. This change allows landlords to have their gas safety inspections carried out up until two months before the due date, but still preserving the expiry date of the check. However, it is still essential to ensure that the check is scheduled well in advance of the expiry date and not to assume that a grace period exists. If a landlord doesn't have a gas safety test done before their current certificate expires, they will not be able to let their properties until the new checks are completed. Landlords need to be aware that this is a grave violation of the law and may be subject to substantial fines. Recommendations As a landlord, you must ensure that your gas safety certificate is up to date at all times. Keep copies of your prior certificates for a minimum of two years. It's a good idea to shop around for a competitive cost, as prices may vary. During the inspection, the engineer will issue you with the completed Landlord Gas Safety Record. It is crucial to provide to new tenants prior to their move-in, and to prove compliance with legal requirements. The document includes an explanation of each gas appliances tested and their places of operation. It also contains the dates of the test and any actions taken by the engineer. It should also contain the name, registration number and unique identifier of the engineer that performed the test. This could be an electronic signature, a scanned identification card, or a pay number that is unique to the operative. The engineer will note any flues or appliances that are considered to be unsafe on the safety record. The landlords are then required to make arrangements for the necessary repairs to be completed. If the problem cannot be fixed within a reasonable amount of time, the engineer can remove the gas supply. Landlords have many responsibilities to their tenants, and keeping up-to-date with regular gas safety checks is among the most important. Failure to comply with regulations could result in a fine, or even imprisonment should a fatal accident occur.