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[Landlord Gas Safety Certificates](https://www.mkgassafety.co.uk/) - Common Mistakes Landlords Make
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Landlord gas safety certificates help landlords comply with the law and protect their tenants their lives. These checks help reduce the risk of carbon dioxide poisoning by identifying defective equipment, flues, or pipework that must be repaired.
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These checks can be done quickly by Gas Safe engineers. They are also simple to manage with digital tools that integrate into full job management solutions.
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Requirements
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Landlord gas safety certificates are a legal requirement and landlords must ensure that all of their tenants have access to a qualified engineer to carry out a check. 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 clear to the tenant what happens should they refuse access.
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Landlords need to ensure that their properties are in possession of a valid CP12 certification, which is valid for 12 months. Renewals should be scheduled on the same day as the expiration date of the previous certificate to avoid having to wait when the two certificates are in conflict. Recent changes to the law have allowed landlords more flexibility in when they conduct their inspections. However this doesn't mean they can cut down on their annual inspections.
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It is important to remember that only engineers who are registered with Gas Safe Register are legally allowed to work with gas flues, piping, appliances and appliances. If a landlord employs an unregistered engineer, they could be liable for a criminal charge.
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If a tenant refuses access to the annual Gas Safety Check the landlord should send them a letter in a clear and concise way, stating the reasons for refusing access and what is involved with the inspection. If the landlord does not receive a response, they may take further action such as the issue of a 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 is functioning.
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Tenants are responsible for their actions
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It's your responsibility to ensure that the gas lines in your apartment are safe. Your tenants could be at risk to suffer injuries if fail to do so. To ensure the safety of your tenants, you should conduct a NYC apartment gas inspection performed by a qualified gas engineer. Also, you should ensure that your tenants have easy access to the gas supply. If you're unsure of your obligations, consult a New York Apartment Fire Injury Lawyer right away.
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It is crucial that you provide 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 property. If you are the owner of an apartment building with shared appliances, you may prefer to split the flues and appliances into distinct sections so that each section receives its own safety inspection.
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Occasionally, you might find tenants who refuse to allow the engineer to conduct the security checks. It's usually because they believe it's an invasion of privacy or they're involved in a dispute with the landlord. Make sure to remind them that carbon monoxide can be a deadly gas and it's your legal duty to ensure their safety.
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If your tenants don't want to let the gas company to carry out the test, you should include an agreement that states that they must allow access to the gas operative for maintenance or safety checks. The tenancy agreement should state whether you can disconnect gas supply, and if so and when it is permitted. You must also provide the operative with a way to identify him or her, eg a scanned signature, a payroll number unique to them, or an employee ID.
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Accessible
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Every property with gas appliances such as a boiler should have a landlord gas safety certificate. A landlord who fails to renew their certificate could face massive fines and also the possibility of making tenants uncomfortable. To avoid this, landlords must always keep their certificates current by scheduling an annual gas test for their tenants.
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The cost of a gas safety test is determined by a number of different factors, such as the location of the property and the amount of gas appliances it has. In general an inspection for gas safety costs between PS35 and PS150 per property. The cost can vary depending on the location of the property as well as the gas company employed.
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Landlords are required to provide an original copy of the gas safety record (also known as a CP12) to their tenants. The document must be handed out to tenants who have rented the property within 28 days of the check having been completed and new tenants should receive it within 28 days of settling into the property. Landlords should keep a copy CP12 on the property and ensure that it is easily accessible.
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Tenants can ensure that their landlord is in possession of an authentic certificate of gas security by ensuring that they have access to the gas and any appliances belonging to them aren't connected to the mains gas. They should also look for clunking sounds, black marks on appliances or other signs of trouble with the gas system. If they notice any of these symptoms they should notify the landlord immediately.
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If a landlord isn't in a position to gain access to the property to conduct an inspection of gas safety and is unable to do so, they must prove that they took all reasonable steps' to comply with the law. This could include repeat attempts to carry out checks and writing to tenants to inform them that safety checks are a requirement by law to ensure their safety.
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Expiry date
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Gas safety certificates must be kept up-to-date by landlords. Failure to do so could cause unexpected hazards for tenants and could lead to fines from regulators. In addition, failing to renew a certificate on time could cause a landlord lose their insurance coverage. However, navigating the complicated regulations that govern these certificates isn't always straightforward. Landlords often make mistakes when they conduct these checks. They should be aware of these mistakes to avoid them.
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Landlords are legally obliged to conduct annual gas safety inspections of all appliances 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 start of their tenure. The copy must be placed in a prominent place on the property. Landlords are also required to keep records of these tests for at least two years.
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Since the 6th of April, 2018 the regulations have been amended to allow landlords more flexibility in arranging their gas safety inspections. This change allows a landlord to get their gas safety checks completed up to two months ahead of the due date while preserving the existing check expiry date. However, it is still vital to ensure that a check is scheduled prior to the expiry date, and not to assume that there is a grace time.
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If a landlord does not have the gas safety check done before their current certificate expires, they'll not be able rent their properties until the new checks are done. Landlords must be aware that this is a grave violation of regulations and they can face substantial penalties.
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Recommendations
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As a landlord, you must ensure that your gas safety certificate is current at all times. Keep copies of prior certificates for at least two years. You should look around for the most affordable price. Prices may vary.
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During the inspection, you will be issued a Landlord Gas Safety Record. This document is essential to give to tenants who are about to move in prior to their move-in date and as proof of compliance with legal requirements. The document contains the details of all gas appliances tested and their places of operation. It also contains 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 conducted the test, along with an identifier that is unique to the test. This could be an electronic signature, a scanned identification card, or a pay number that is unique to the person who performed the test.
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If the engineer determines that an appliance or flue as unsafe, they will mention this on the safety inspection record. The landlord is then required to make the necessary repairs. If the problem is not solved within a reasonable time, the engineer may disconnect the gas supply and request it be disconnected again until repairs are made.
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Landlords are responsible for a range of things, but one of the most important is to keep up with the annual gas safety inspections. If a fatal accident occurs and a landlord does not adhere to the regulations could be penalized or even imprisoned.
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