Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must ensure that all gas appliances are safe and in compliance with the regulations. Infractions could result in fines and may compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation for CORGI Form 12. Also called a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord's Gas Safety Records.
Gas pipework, appliances and flues have to be tested annually. Some landlords face difficulties getting access to their properties and are forced into a shorter inspection period.
It's an official requirement
If you're a property owner with one property or several rental properties, it's crucial to keep your gas safety certificates up to date. Failure to do so could result in a fine or even prosecution. It is also important to inspect your gas appliances, and show a valid certificate in every home.
A gas safety certificate contains information such as the date of inspection and the address of the property which was inspected, the specifics of each appliance that was inspected with their current condition, and the name and number of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also identifies appliances that are considered to be unsafe for use and provides suggestions for fixing the issue. If an engineer discovers unsafe appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk, but isn't immediately dangerous, it will receive a "AR" code.
Tenants can refuse access for a safety check. This could cause issues in the relationship between landlords and tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 require landlords to take all reasonable steps to be in compliance. This means making multiple attempts to perform the checks and writing to the tenant stating that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own security. It's a good idea also to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords should be sure to display a copy of their gas safety certificate at each property. This will prevent tenants from moving into a house with gas appliances that are unsafe. It can also permit potential tenants to view the record of the safety checks. Furthermore having a gas safety certification will help you establish a reputation for being a responsible and professional landlord, which can draw more tenants.
As well as ensuring your gas equipment is safe, having an annual service contract with a Gas Safe registered Engineer can save you time and money in the long term. Many gas companies offer discounted prices on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea shop around and find the best price for you.
It's a good idea
As a landlord, it is your duty to ensure that the gas appliances in your property are safe. Regular inspections conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the best way to identify and correct any issues before they become more serious and dangerous for tenants. Additionally, regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good condition and therefore, they're more likely to last for longer.
Landlords must possess the Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance in their property. Without these certificates, landlords could face hefty fines and may find that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. It's not difficult to get an Gas Safety Certificate for your property by contacting a certified engineer and arranging for an appointment.
A gas inspection every year is the minimum requirement in the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's a good idea to conduct more frequent inspections especially if your property was left empty for a prolonged period of time. This is because appliances could be altered or the gas supply may be shut off when the property is unoccupied.
It's essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report before letting the property. This is so that you can transfer keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have taken away the old appliances, or if any work has been completed on the gas system.
It's a good idea to ask your tenant to allow access to their property prior to any inspection. If they're hesitant to give access, you can write an unambiguously written letter stating the reason for access and what the gas safety inspections will involve. If they still refuse to allow access, you can begin the eviction process by sending them the section 21 notice.
Gas safety is your number one priority. You must have a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. If you don't, you could risk losing your deposit for tenancy and potentially face legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. It's a good idea to avoid this, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual check by an Gas Safe engineer.
It's a hassle
Some people are not happy with the landlord gas safety inspections. It's not only a legal requirement but it's also good sense to make sure tenants are using appliances that have been checked by professionals. If something goes wrong it could result in an incredibly dangerous gas-related incident that is a disaster for anyone who lives within or around the property.
Some tenants will not let these inspections in It's reasonable. They might feel it's an infringement of their privacy, or they may suspect that the check is an attempt to spy on them or their lifestyles. Landlords need to remember that they have the legal obligation to conduct these inspections and only do it in the event that tenants allow access to their properties.
It can be difficult for landlords to to deal with tenants who are resistant particularly if they own multiple properties. It's crucial for landlords to keep in mind that if they don't obtain their gas safety certificate and are fined, they'll face heavy penalties and the tenants could not be allowed to move in until the issue is addressed.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you ever need to take possession of the property. They may not be able prove they've carried out the correct inspections if the previous tenants haven't kept copies, so it's worth keeping the certificate in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can be a prosecutor for landlords who don't give their tenants a copy of the certificate of gas safety within 28 days after an inspection. If you are a tenant, then you should request a copy of the gas safety certificate from your landlord immediately.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and provide copies to tenants. They can be purchased at Gas Safe online, and the process is simple and easy. The certificate isn't expensive dependent on where you live and the number of appliances checked, it costs between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
When you think about the costs of renting a property you may not think about the cost of gas safety inspections. This is a legal requirement and must not be overlooked. It ensures your tenants are safe and you can produce an authentic certificate should there are any issues. It can also help you avoid costly repairs.
It's also important to keep in mind that landlords must maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which is serious health risk. This can be caused by malfunctioning gas cookers, fires, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that can't be detected without specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every property and checked regularly. Gas appliances must also be checked.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety check can vary a bit depending on the engineer. You can find a reasonable price by entering your postcode online and looking at quotes. Consider discounts if you are several properties to be examined. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
The location of your home is another factor that can affect the cost of a safety inspection. Landlords who live in metropolitan areas such as London will likely have to pay more than those living in less affluent or remote regions.
Landlords must also be aware of the possibility that tenants might refuse to allow access to conduct a verification. do i need a gas safety certificate is usually due to tenants' fear of intruding of privacy or suspicion of spying. A carefully composed note describing your motives for getting access to their house should convince them.
If a tenant continues to refuse access, the landlord can take action to enforce the inspection. This includes sending a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether the notice is reasonable. The best option for the landlord to do is communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is required.