People frequently enter the real estate sector because of the enormous profits they can realize by buying and selling houses after repairs. For example, if you buy a property for £100,000, renovate it for £20,000, and then sell it for £150,000, you'll have made a handsome profit in just a few months. Others choose not to sell and instead rent out their properties to tenants indefinitely. This could be an even better idea because the rent the tenants pay will go straight to the owner once all expenses, including any loan or mortgage, are deducted.
Landlords must remember that once they start renting out their properties, they owe it to their tenants to protect their safety. This involves ensuring that a Gas Safety Certificate in rental houses is safe and that all residential premises comply with local building codes. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 hold landlords accountable for guaranteeing the safety of gas appliances, fittings, and flues given to renters.
As a landlord, your first responsibility is to ensure the safety of the gas appliances, pipelines, and flues you installed for your tenants' use. The landlord is responsible for doing a gas safety check once a year to ensure that all gas connections, gas flues, and gas appliances are in good working order. Landlords must have rental properties inspected for Gas Safety Certificate once a year. Following the completion of the inspection, the landlord must keep a record of the inspection for at least two years and provide a copy to each renter within 28 days.
If your tenant chooses to use their Gas Safety Certificate, you are responsible for maintaining the gas pipework, but you are not liable for the device's condition. Tenant safety comes first; therefore, show them where the gas shutdown is located in an emergency. Remembering that a gas-safe qualified engineer should perform all installations, maintenance, and safety checks is critical.
It's also likely that your tenant will be too proud to let you in. If this is the case, it's critical to mention in the lease agreement established before the tenant moves in that you'll need access to the property to fulfill your landlord duties and guarantee that any gas appliances and flues are in excellent functioning order.
If the renter is only renting the property for a short period, such as a vacation, you must still provide the same information as a long-term tenant.