Landlord Safety Certificates
A Landlord safety certificate is the minimum required by the Gas Regulations, however it should be pointed out that guidance to the regulations (article 219) points out that " neither should it be assumed that carrying out annual safety checks will be sufficient to provide effective maintenance."
It should also be pointed out that manufacturers instructions are legal documents and they specify what should be adhered to, with respect to their appliance. Generally the advice states that the appliance should be serviced annually.
Generally the service will cover all aspects of the safety check and therefore the certificate can be issued at nominal extra cost.
The service we offer and what we expect from you
With reference to the above we will normally recommend servicing a gas fire or boiler when issuing a Landlord certificate unless the appliance has recently been commisisoned or the landlord can show a recent service record. This requirement by us is to protect both tennant and landlord as well as our own reputation. Ensuring peace of mind for all concerned.
The Safety inspection will list
- The date the appliance or flue was examined and the address where the appliance is installed
- The landlords details (name, address and, where necessary managing agents details)
- Description and location of the appliance or flue
- Recognition of and recording of any defects
- The name and signature of the gas operative and the CORGI registration number of the engineer
The following checks will be carried out to ensure the appliance is safe to use
- Appliance operating pressure or heat input, or where necessary both
- Correct operation of safety devices
- Ensure adequate ventilation is available where required
- Visual examination of the flue system
- Where applicable, results of a flue flow test
- Where applicable, results of a spillage test
- Ensure flue termination is satisfactory
- The appliance is safe to use
On completion of the above safety checks the gas operative will accurately record the findings on the Landlord/Homeowner Gas Safety Record. This document is in 3 parts. One to be kept by the Landlord, one to be issued to the tenants and the third to be kept by the gas operative.
Landlords and Tennants
Poorly maintained gas appliances, such as boilers, fires and cookers are the main source of carbon monoxide in the home, with inadequate ventilation increasing the problem.
All homes with gas appliances should be checked yearly by a CORGI registered engineer who will undertake repair work and issue a gas safety certificate. For owner occupiers it is good sense, for landlords it is a legal requirement.
Landlords should ensure that their tenants get a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of the gas check, or, if new tenants, when they move in. Landlords who don’t meet the requirements of The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 can face prosecution and heavy fines.
In a recent case where two people died, the landlord was fined £350,000. Tennants can also face legal action against them.
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