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what is gas safety certificate Certificates – Common Mistakes Landlords Make Gas safety certificates for landlords aid landlords in complying with the law and safeguard their tenants and their families. These tests help reduce the chance of carbon dioxide poisoning by identifying faulty equipment, flues or pipework that must be repaired. These checks are typically performed by a Gas Safe engineer and can be completed in a short time. They are also easy to manage using digital tools that are integrated into full job management systems. Requirements Landlord gas safety certificates are a legal requirement, and landlords must ensure that all their tenants have access to a licensed engineer to carry out the test. This can be done by incorporating a clause in your tenancy agreement which states that the property is accessible to a qualified engineer for Gas Safety checks. It will also be clear to the tenant what happens in the event they refuse access. Landlords must make sure that their properties are in possession of a valid CP12 certification that is valid for a period of 12 months. Renewals must be made on the same day as the expiration date of the previous certificate to avoid wasting time when the two certificates cross. Recent changes to the law have provided landlords more freedom in how they conduct their inspections. However this doesn't mean they can cut down on 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, as well as flues and chimneys. If a landlord hires an unregistered engineer, they could be liable for a criminal charge. If a tenant does not allow access for the annual Gas Safety Check the landlord must send them a letter in a strong wording explaining why they require access and what will be involved during the inspection. If the landlord does not receive an answer, they can think about taking further steps like the issue of a Section 21 Notice or applying to court for an Injunction. It is also an excellent idea to install inspection hatches inside the property so that the engineer can look for leaks of gas and make sure that the appliance shut-off valve works. Tenants' responsibilities If you lease your apartment in New York City, it's your responsibility to keep the gas lines secure. Your tenants could be at risk to be injured if you fail to do so. In order to ensure the safety of your tenants make sure you conduct a NYC apartment gas inspection completed by a certified gas engineer. You should also ensure that your tenants have easy access to the gas supply. If you're not sure about your responsibilities, contact an New York Apartment Fire Injury Lawyer right away. If you receive the landlord gas safety certificate it is important to provide your tenants an official copy of the report at the beginning of their tenancy or as soon as possible after the test is completed. It should be prominently displayed within the property. If you're the landlord of a building with shared appliances, you can divide the appliances and flues into distinct parts to ensure that each one receives their own gas safety inspections. Occasionally, you might encounter tenants who won't allow the engineer to conduct the security checks. It's usually because they think that it's an invasion to their privacy or because they're involved in a dispute with their landlord. Make sure to remind them that carbon monoxide can be a deadly gas and it's your legal duty to protect them. If your tenants are not willing to allow the gas technician to conduct the test, you should include a clause in the agreement that states that they must be allowed access for safety and maintenance inspections. The tenancy agreement should define the conditions for when you can disconnect gas supplies and when this is permitted. It is also important to provide the employee with a method to identify him/her by his/herself, for example a scan of a signature, a payroll number unique to them, or an employee ID. Access Every home that has a gas appliance such as a boiler must have a landlord gas safety certificate. If a landlord fails to renew their certificate can face heavy fines and the risk of making tenants uncomfortable. To avoid this, it is essential that landlords ensure that their certificates are current by scheduling an annual check of their tenants' gas. 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. However, the cost can differ significantly based on the location and the gas company that is used. Tenants must be provided by landlords with an original copy of their gas safety record that is referred to as a CP12. This document must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days of the check being completed and new tenants should receive it within 28 days after moving into the property. Landlords should display a copy of the CP12 on the property and ensure that it is easily accessible. Tenants can also help to make sure their landlord has an appropriate gas safety certificate by ensuring that they have access to the property, and that the appliances they own are not connected to the mains gas. They should also listen for clunking sounds, look for black marks on appliances, or other signs that indicate that the gas system is not working properly. They should notify the landlord if they see any of these indications. If a landlord is unable to gain access to the property to conduct a gas safety inspection, they must show that they have taken all “reasonable steps” to comply with the laws. This could include repeating attempts to conduct the checks, and writing to the tenant to inform them that the safety checks are legally required for their own safety. Expiry date It is vital that landlords have their gas safety certificates current. Failure to do so could lead to unforeseen hazards and penalties from regulatory agencies. Failure to renew a certification within the stipulated timeframe can cause the insurance policy of a landlord to be canceled. However, understanding the complex regulations governing these certificates can be difficult. Landlords frequently make mistakes when they carry out these checks. They must be aware of these to avoid them. Landlords are required to conduct annual gas safety checks of all appliances and flues within their premises. They must also provide copies to tenants who have been living with them for at least 28 days after the test and to new tenants at the time they begin their lease. The copy must be displayed in a prominent location on the property. Landlords must also keep records of these tests for a minimum of two years. Since the 6th of April 2018 the regulations have been amended to allow landlords more flexibility in scheduling their gas safety inspections. This change permits landlords to have their gas safety checks carried out up to two months ahead of the due date, while maintaining the current expiry date. It is important to book a check well in advance and do not think that there is a grace period. If a landlord does not conduct gas safety inspections completed before the date on which their current certificate expires, they will not be able to rent their property until they've had the new checks completed. Landlords should be aware that this is a major violation of the law and could result in substantial penalties. Recommendations As landlords, you should make sure your gas safety certificate is up-to-date at all times. It is also recommended to keep copies of previous certificates for a minimum of two years. It is a good idea to shop around for a competitive cost, since prices may vary. During the inspection, you will be issued the Landlord Gas Safety Record. This is vital to provide new tenants with a copy of the document prior to when they move in and for proving that you are in compliance with the law. The document includes the description and location of all gas appliances and flues checked. It also lists the dates of their tests, as well as any action 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 a scanned ID card, an electronic signature or an employee's payroll code that is unique to each person who uses it. The engineer will record any flues or appliances that are considered to be unsafe on the safety record. The landlord must then arrange the necessary repairs. If the issue is not rectified in a reasonable amount of time, the engineer will remove the gas supply. Landlords are accountable for a myriad of things, but one of the most important is keeping up with the annual gas safety inspections. Failure to comply with regulations could result in a fine or even imprisonment in the event of a fatal accident.