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Landlord Gas Safety Certificates – Common Mistakes Landlords Make Landlord gas certificates allow landlords to comply with the law while also protecting their tenants. These checks help reduce the risk of carbon dioxide poisoning by identifying any malfunctioning equipment, flues or pipework that needs to be fixed. These checks are usually done by a Gas Safe engineer and can be completed quickly. They are also simple to manage using digital tools that are integrated into complete job management systems. Requirements Landlord gas safety certificates are a legal requirement, and landlords must ensure that all of 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 stating that the property will be accessible for Gas Safety checks. This will also clarify to the tenant what will happen in the event they refuse access. Landlords must make sure that their properties are in possession of an active CP12 certification that is valid for 12 months. It is a good idea to renew this on the same day that the previous one expires to avoid the waste of days when the old and new certificates overlap. A recent update to the law has given landlords increased flexibility over when they conduct their inspections. However, it is important to remember that this change doesn't mean that landlords can reduce the length of their annual inspections. It is important to remember that only an engineer registered with Gas Safe Register is legally authorized to work on gas appliances and piping including flues and chimneys. A landlord who employs an engineer who isn't registered may be charged with an offence that is criminal. If a tenant does not allow access to the annual Gas Safety Check the landlord should send them a letter in a strong wording explaining the reason for their refusal and what is involved in the inspection. If the landlord doesn't receive a reply, they should consider taking other steps, such as sending a Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction. It is also an excellent idea to install inspection hatches on the property so that the engineer can look for gas leaks and that the appliance shut-off valve is functioning. Tenant's obligations as a tenant If you lease out your apartment in New York City, it's your responsibility to keep the gas lines in good condition. If you do not, your tenants could end up suffering injuries in a fire. To ensure the safety of tenants, make sure that you have your NYC apartment's gas inspection done by a qualified engineer. It is also important to ensure that your tenants have the ability to easily access the gas supply. If you are not sure about your obligations, talk to a New York Apartment Injury Lawyer as soon as possible. If you are granted the landlord gas safety certificate it is important to provide your tenants with an official copy of the report at the beginning of their tenure or as soon as possible after the check is completed. It is also recommended to display it prominently in your property. If you are the manager of an apartment with shared appliances, you may want to divide the flues and appliances into distinct sections so that each section receives its own safety check. Sometimes, landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service who aren't willing to let the engineer to conduct the safety inspections. It's usually because they think that it's an invasion to their privacy or because they're involved in an argument with the landlord. Remind them that carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas, and it is your legal obligation to protect them. If your tenants don't want to allow the gas engineer to carry out the test, it's worth including a clause in their contract that requires them to permit access to the gas operative for maintenance and safety inspections. The tenancy agreement should also clarify whether you can shut off gas supply and, if yes and when it is permitted. You must also provide the worker with a way to uniquely identify him or her, eg a scanned signature, a payroll number unique to them, or an employee ID. Accessible Every property that houses gas appliances such as a boiler should be equipped with a gas safety certification. If a landlord fails to renew their certificate could face severe penalties and the possibility of making tenants uncomfortable. To avoid this, it is essential that landlords keep their certificates current by scheduling an annual inspection of their tenants' gas. The cost of a gas safety check is determined by a variety of different factors, including the location of the property as well as the amount of gas appliances it houses. Gas safety checks cost anywhere from PS35 to PS150 per property. However, the cost could vary significantly depending on the location and the gas company that is used. Landlords must provide an official copy of the gas safety report (also called a CP12) to their tenants. The document must be provided to tenants within 28 working days after the test is completed. New tenants must also receive it within 28 working days of moving in. Landlords are required to display a copy CP12 at the property, and make sure it is readily accessible. Tenants can ensure that their landlord is in possession of an authentic certificate of gas safety by ensuring they have access to the gas system and that any appliances belonging to them are not connected to the mains gas. They should also listen for clunking sounds, look for black marks on appliances, or other indications that the gas system is not working properly. If they notice any of these signs, they should tell the landlord immediately. If a landlord is not capable of gaining access to the property for an inspection of gas safety the landlord must be able to show that they took all 'reasonable steps' to be in compliance with the law. This could include repeating attempts to conduct the checks and writing to the tenant to inform them that the safety checks are a legal requirement to ensure their safety. Expiry date Gas safety certificates must be updated by landlords. Failure to do so could lead to unforeseen hazards and penalties from regulatory agencies. Failure to renew a certificate within the stipulated timeframe can cause a landlord's insurance to be canceled. However, navigating the complex regulations surrounding these certificates isn't always easy. There are common mistakes landlords make when conducting these inspections, and they need to be aware of these to avoid making them. Landlords are legally required to schedule annual gas safety tests of all onsite appliances and flues. They are also required to provide copies to tenants who have rented the property within 28 days of the test, and new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. A copy must also be displayed in a prominent location on the property. Landlords must also keep records of these tests for at least two years. From the 6th of April in 2018 the regulations have been changed slightly to allow landlords more flexibility when it comes to getting their gas safety inspections completed. This change allows landlords to get their gas safety checks carried out up to two months in advance of the due date, while maintaining the current expiry date. However, it's important to make sure that a check is scheduled prior to the expiry date and not to presume that there is a grace time. If a landlord does not get their gas safety checks done before the date when their current certificate expires, they'll be unable to rent out their property until they have the new checks done. Landlords need to be aware that this is a serious violation of the law and can face substantial fines. Recommendations As a landlord you must ensure that your gas safety certificate is current at all times. Keep copies of the prior certificates for a minimum of two years. You must shop around to find the most affordable price. Prices may vary. During the inspection, the engineer will issue you with an official Landlord Gas Safety Record. This document is essential to give the new tenants prior to their move-in and to prove compliance with the legal requirements. The document contains a description of all gas appliances tested and their places of operation. It also lists the dates of the test and any actions taken by the engineer. It must also include the name and registration number of the engineer who performed the test, and an identifier that is unique to the test. This could be a scanned ID card, an electronic signature or a payroll code that is unique to each operative. The engineer will record any flues or appliances that are considered to be unsafe on the safety check record. The landlord is then required to make the necessary repairs. If the issue is not resolved within a reasonable period of time, the engineer may remove the gas supply. Landlords have many obligations to their tenants, and staying up-to-date with annual gas safety checks is among the most important. If a fatal incident occurs, a landlord who fails to comply with the rules could be punished with a fine or even imprisoned.