Did I issue an invalid s21 notice?

Did I issue an invalid s21 notice?

8:52 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago 12

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I lived in my property for a number of years before deciding to rent it out. I had my friend who was previously a registered gas engineer fit in my new boiler and service it for me (while I was still living there)

Just before my tenant moved in 2018 I got him to do another check so my tenant could move in ( he was no longer gas safe registered on these 2 occasions).

I issued my tenant a s21 accelerated possession order which he defended claiming he knows the gas safe certificate upon his tenancy is not valid due to the name and gas reg number not being on gas safe register at this time so this makes the s21 invalid.

I have since received a court order stating ‘judge is not satisfied claimant is entitled to use accelerated procedure’ and to attend a 10 minute hearing in 4 weeks time. I am in slight pickle because I didn’t have any further checks done for 2.5 years because I thought it had to be done every 5 years, and when I did have this check done it came back at risk to the flue not being sealed.

I just want my house back to sell now. Has anyone been in a similar situation or could offer me advice?

Thank you

Danny


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Comments

Graham Bowcock

9:25 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

I’m sorry to say that you’ve failed in some basic and long standing legislation.

Whilst we regard some compliance issues as designed to trip us up, gas checks are there to save lives

Your mate needs prosecuting for the work he has done whilst not registered.

You should have given the tenant a valid certificate prior to the tenancy starting and annually.

As you have failed to comply I suggest you urgently see a possession specialist to see if there’s anything they can do to help you.

Fed Up Landlord

9:29 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Sadly, the answer is that the gas cert was invalid as it was not carried out by a gas safe registeted engineer. This, plus the other two and a half years without one, and a leaking flue puts you in a very difficult position.

Thus your Section 21 is invalid, and to make matters worse you are liable for a £6,000 fine for no gas cert and possible prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive. The tenant has you by the proverbials.

You need to get a proper gas cert and legal advice on the Section 21 which will need re- issuing. BUT get legal advice. Try Paul Shampalina at Landlord Action.

GlanACC

9:50 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

You may even have to refund some (or all) of the rent paid

RoseD

10:14 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Hi Danny
As you will glean from the very direct replies you are in a tight pickle here. Ignorance is no excuse unfortunately and very often law stacked heavily in favour of tenant. Your best bet here is getting the tenant on your side. You want to sell so that's not going to be an immediate eviction is it? Do you really want a property sitting empty while it sells? You've already issued a section 21 (albeit invalid). Help and support your tenant as much as you can to find alternative accommodation. As we all know the rental market a mad place if you trying to secure somewhere new so try and see this from their point of view and help your tenant with the process rather than threaten eviction. Given you've not complied with strict regulations that may cost you dearly it's worth a shot. Good luck.

Golfman

10:53 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

You clearly knew you needed a gas safety check - and got your mate to check. If he was at any time mildly qualified to do the work he would have clearly informed you of your legal obligations. I’m really sorry to say. As noted by others even if you were ignorant of the requirement, there is no defence.

Beyond that, your immediate priority is to resolve the defective situation and get a clean certificate immediately as a matter of safety. Without that you’re deemed to continue to endanger your tenant’s life.

Then you can apologise profusely and recompense openly for the ongoing negligence.

It’s with deep regret I write this response as I often rile against lots of crazy rules put in that make landlord lives hell.

Sam B

10:56 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 13/11/2023 - 09:50
I am pretty sure your mistaken in that belief? As far as I understood rent repayment orders are applicable on a few grounds which then also have to be proven beyond reasonable doubt. None of the grounds are applicable here?? Sure the sec 21 will be invalid and possibly chunky fine for the invalid gas cert but rent repayment I don't see it.

Easy rider

11:42 AM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

I can’t believe anybody would let somebody who isn’t qualified to mess with the gas.

Yes, the S21 is not valid.

GlanACC

12:44 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Additional questions are did you provide a right to rent booklet before tenant moved in and provided a copy or a link to a GDPR statement, did you do a check to see thay had a right to rent the property (eg. check passport), did you have a valid EICR certificate.

Judith Wordsworth

13:11 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Landlord Gas Safety Record(LGSR) cannot be given by someone who is not a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.
This is a legal mandatory requirement for you to have as a landlord. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) outline your duties as a landlord to make sure all gas appliances, fittings, chimneys and flues are safe and working efficiently.

Being unable to provide a LEGAL gas safety record is a criminal offence and landlords can be liable for unlimited fines and/or six months of imprisonment. This is also classed as a hazardous situation and landlords can be subject to enforcement actions, such as prohibition or improvement notices or even emergency remedial action by the local authority.

Under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must carry out an electrical check every five years and have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before letting their property. Did you do this? Have you got a valid report?

I am surprised that the judge has referred you for criminal charges to be honest.

"Landlords" like yourself is one of the reasons the rest of us in this business are being bashed left right and centre.

I'm sorry but you need the book throwing at you. You knowingly committed not one but several criminal offences and you want "us" to advise you how to get out of your situation. I would say I'm speechless but .......

Advice: get your affairs in order in case you end up in prison, make sure you have enough money to pay the fines.

Mike

15:29 PM, 13th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Why not write to the court that you wish to withdraw the case, so that you don't get a massive fine for not having a valid Gas safe Cert. at the time , but arrange to get one now as soon as possible then serve your tenant 2 months notice under Section 8 that you wish to sell your house and so you want him out.

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