Ensuring your property is gas-safe is paramount both for legal and safety reasons. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help landlords like you navigate through the gas safety regulations.
Why is a Gas Safety Certificate Crucial?
At the heart of responsible property management is the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate. This document, required by the Gas Safety Regulations (Installation and Use) 1998, ensures that every gas appliance, flue, fitting, and chimney in your property has passed rigorous checks. The certificate is only awarded when everything meets stringent safety standards, including proper ventilation.
Before this, the CORGI Proforma or CP12 was the gold standard, as CORGI was the primary body overseeing gas safety.
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate: The Basics
The certificate lasts 12 months. Remember to renew annually and hand a copy to your tenants within 28 days of inspection.
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer is authorised to issue a gas safety certificate. If you're partnered with a letting agent like us, we can arrange it for you. Alternatively, you can find registered engineers on the Gas Safe website.
Give a minimum of 24 hours’ notice to your tenants. If they're resistant, try open communication first, explaining why you need access and keeping records of all interactions. If still unsuccessful, your local council could speak to the tenant on your behalf.
Inside a Gas Safety Inspection
A qualified Gas Safe engineer will:
- Ensure all gas appliances function efficiently;
- Examine gas pipework for any potential leaks;
- Confirm chimneys and flues efficiently remove harmful fumes;
- Check adequate ventilation in rooms with gas appliances;
- Visually inspect heating systems for defects.
It's worth noting that a gas safety inspection differs from a boiler service. For best practices, annual boiler services are recommended, especially to maintain boiler warranties.
A standard gas safety check lasts roughly 30 minutes. The cost can vary based on the property's location and the number of appliances to inspect. On average, budget around £90 for London-based checks, excluding potential repair costs.
What if Tenants Have Their Own Gas Appliances?
While landlords aren't accountable for tenant-owned gas appliances, they are for the property's gas supply. It's reasonable, during an inspection, to have tenant appliances checked too.
Penalties and Record Keeping
Failure to maintain up-to-date gas safety records isn't just a minor oversight – it's a criminal offence. Landlords found in breach of these regulations could face severe penalties. These could range from unlimited fines to potential imprisonment for up to six months.
Moreover, such negligence is deemed a hazardous situation. As a result, landlords could be subjected to further enforcement actions from local authorities. This could encompass prohibition notices, demands for immediate improvements, or even emergency interventions.
Upon completion of your annual gas safety check, you should provide your tenants with a copy of the updated certificate. If you have existing tenants, they must receive this document within 28 days of the inspection. For new tenants, ensure they have the certificate in hand at the beginning of their tenancy.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odourless threat that can emanate from fixed combustion appliances. To ensure the safety of your tenants, it is mandatory to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in every room used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance (e.g. a gas boiler), with the sole exception being those rooms that only have a gas cooker.
While landlords should always refer to the specific manufacturer’s guidelines for alarm installation, a general rule of thumb is to place the carbon monoxide alarm at head height. This could be on a wall or a shelf. Ideally, the alarm should be situated approximately 1-3 metres from any potential carbon monoxide source, ensuring maximum efficiency in detection.
Conclusion
At Statoncoe Lettings, we cannot emphasise enough the importance of staying compliant. Always prioritise your tenants' safety and your legal responsibilities.