Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must make sure all gas appliances are safe and comply with the regulations. Failure to adhere could lead to fines and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation of CORGI Proforma 12. Also known as a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
Gas pipework, appliances, and flues have to be inspected annually. Some landlords have difficulty gaining access to their property, and are compelled to take on an inspection that is shorter.
It's a requirement by law
If you're a property owner with one property or several rental properties, it's essential to keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date. Failure to do so could result in a fine or even prosecution. There are other practical advantages for having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certificate displayed at every location.
A gas safety certificate includes information like the date of inspection and the address of the building which was inspected, the specifics of each appliance inspected, their current status, as well as the name and identification number of the engineer who performed the survey. It also identifies appliances that are deemed 'unsafe to use' and offers suggestions for fixing the fault. If an engineer discovers unsafe appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If an appliance is considered to be at risk but isn't immediately dangerous the appliance will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse to allow access to a safety inspection. This can create problems in the relationship between landlords and tenants. However landlords must make every effort to ensure compliance with the gas Safety certificate landlord Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This means making multiple attempts to perform the checks and then writing to the tenant stating that this is a legal requirement for their own security. It's a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy contract.
Landlords should also ensure that they display a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will stop tenants from moving into a property with unsafe gas appliances and can also permit potential tenants to view the record of the safety inspections. A gas safety certificate will also help you build a good reputation as a responsible landlord. This will attract more tenants.
In addition to ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with an Gas Safe Registered Engineer will save you money and time in the long in the long. For instance, a lot of gas companies offer a reduced price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. You need to look for the best price.
It's a great idea.
As a landlord, it is your duty to ensure that the gas appliances on your property are safe. Regular inspections by a certified Gas Safe engineer are the best way to find and address any issues before they become more serious and risky for tenants. In addition, regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good working order, so they're more likely to last for longer.
Landlords must possess an Gas Safety Certificate valid for every gas appliance they have in their home. Without these certificates, landlords risk massive fines and may discover that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. Fortunately, it's easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate for your home by hiring a qualified engineer and scheduling an appointment.
A gas inspection every year is the minimum required under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it is advisable to conduct more frequent inspections, especially if your property was left empty for a long period of time. Gas safety regulations require a yearly gas check, but it's a good idea to perform more frequent gas inspections, particularly if your property has been vacant for a long time.
It is essential to have an updated gas safety certificate when you are re-letting a property. This is to ensure that you can hand over keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have taken away the old appliances or if any work has been done on the gas system.
It's a good idea to request your tenant to give access to their home prior to any inspection. If they're not willing you can mail an unambiguously written letter that explains why access is needed and what the gas safety inspections will include. If they continue to refuse, you can start the eviction process with the section 21 notice.
When it comes to gas safety, your primary responsibility is to make sure that you have an Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. If you don't, you could risk losing your deposit to rent and possibly facing legal action from your local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's recommended to schedule regular inspections conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to current.
It's a pain
When it is about landlord gas safety inspections there are a lot of people who are not happy with the situation. It's not just an official requirement, but it is also a good idea to ensure that tenants are using appliances that have been inspected by a professional. If something goes wrong, it could result in a gas-hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone living in or around the building.
However, some tenants are unwilling to permit access to these inspections It's quite understandable. They may think it's a violation of their privacy or suspect that the check is some sort of ploy to monitor their activities or habits. But landlords need to bear in their minds that they are legally obligated to conduct these inspections, and they can only do this only if tenants permit them access to their property.
It can be frustrating for landlords to to deal with tenants who are unreliable especially if they have multiple properties. It is crucial that landlords keep in mind that when their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they may be penalized with heavy fines and tenants might not be allowed to move into the property until the issue is solved.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you ever need to take possession of the property. If the previous tenants don't have a copy the certificate, they might not be able to prove the inspections were carried out correctly. It's worth keeping an archive in case of need.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of carrying out an inspection, they can be accused of trespassing by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you're a tenant, it's best to get one from your landlord as soon as possible.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates up to current and to share copies with their tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is quick and simple. The certificate is not expensive - depending on where you live and how many appliances are tested, it ranges between PS50 and PS90.
It's not expensive
Most people don't think of gas security checks when you think about the costs of renting a home. This is a legal requirement and shouldn't be ignored. It ensures your tenants are secure and you can produce an official certificate in the event that any problems arise. Additionally, it will help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.
It is also important to remember that landlords must keep their pipework, appliances and flues in good working order. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide which is a major health risk. It can be caused by defective gas boilers, cookers or fires. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas, tasteless and odourless that isn't detectable without specialized equipment. It is crucial to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your property and check them regularly, as well as checking gas appliances.
The cost of a landlord gas safety check can vary slightly from engineer to engineer. You can find a fair price by entering your postcode online and comparison shopping for quotes. Consider discounts if you are multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
The location of your home is a further factor that may affect the cost of a safety check. Landlords who live in urban areas such as London will be required to pay more for a gas safety check than those who reside in less affluent or in remote regions.
Landlords should also be aware that tenants might refuse to allow access to conduct a check. This is often due to tenants' fear of invasion of their privacy or suspicion of snooping. A carefully worded note explaining your reasons for gaining access to their home should convince them.
If the tenant does not allow the inspection, the landlord can take actions. This includes giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The best way for the landlord do is contact the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is necessary.