Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances comply with the regulations and are safe. Failure to adhere could lead to fines and could compromise the security of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for CORGI Form 12. gas safety certificate and boiler service is also known as a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is a legal requirement to have your gas pipes as well as appliances and flues examined every year. Some landlords have difficulty gaining access to their properties, and are compelled to take on a shorter inspection period.
It's a lawful requirement
It's important that you keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date regardless of whether you're a landlord who has one property or a portfolio of rental properties. A penalty or even a fine could be the result of not complying. There are other practical benefits for having your gas appliances examined and a valid certificate displayed at every location.
The gas safety certificate includes details like the date of inspection, address of property that was inspected, the details of every appliance, their current status and the name and ID number of the engineer who carried out the inspection. It also identifies appliances which are considered 'unsafe for use' and suggests ways to fix the problem. If the engineer finds any unsuitable appliances, they'll issue an "ID" code. If a device is found to be in danger, but isn't immediately hazardous, it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants might not allow access to a safety check. This could cause issues in the relationship between tenants and landlords. However landlords are required to make every effort to be in compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This should include making several attempts to conduct the checks, and writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement for their own security. It's a good idea also to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords must be sure to display a copy of their gas safety certificate in each property. This will stop tenants from moving into a house with unsafe gas appliances and also allows potential future tenants to look over the records of the safety inspections. In addition the gas safety certificate can help build an image of a responsible and professional landlord, which will attract more tenants.
A Gas Safe Registered Engineer will not only make sure that your gas equipment is safe however, a service contract can also help you save money and time in the long run. Many gas companies offer discounted prices on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is a good idea to look around and find the best price for you.
It's a great idea.
As a landlord, it's your duty to ensure the safety of all gas appliances in your property. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to find and fix problems before they become more dangerous and serious. In addition, regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good working order which means they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords must have a Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance within their property. Without these certificates, landlords could face hefty fines and may find that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. It's easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and setting up an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a once-a-year gas inspection. However, it is advisable to conduct more frequent checks when you've abandoned your home for a prolonged period. Gas safety regulations require a regular gas check, but it's a good idea to perform more frequent gas inspections, especially if the property has been empty for a long time.
If you are considering letting your property, it's essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report before you can hand keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have removed the old appliances, or if any work has been completed on the gas system.
Before you conduct any inspection it's a good idea to speak to your tenant and ask them to grant you access to the property. If they don't agree, you can send an explanation in a letter of the reason for access and the steps involved in the gas safety check. If they don't want to go through the process, you can begin the process of eviction with a section-21 notice.
When it is about gas safety, your main obligation is to ensure that you have an Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. You could lose your tenancy deposit and be subject to legal action from your local council or Health and Safety Executive if you do not. It's a good idea to avoid this, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual inspection by an Gas Safe engineer.
It's a pain
Some people are not happy with the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It's not only a legal requirement, but it's also good sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances that have been inspected by experts. If something goes wrong, it could result in a gas hazard scenario that could be catastrophic for anyone living in or around the building.
Some tenants, however, do not want to be inspected. This is quite understandable. Some tenants might feel it's an invasion of their privacy or believe the check could be an attempt to snoop on or track them. However, landlords must keep in their minds that they are legally obligated to conduct the inspections and can only do this when tenants allow them access to their property.
It can be frustrating for landlords to to manage tenants who are recalcitrant, especially if they own multiple properties. It's also important for landlords to remember that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certification, they risk hefty fines and the tenants could not be permitted to move in until the problem is addressed.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in the event that you have to ever repossess the property. If the previous tenants don't have a copy the certificate, they may not be able to prove the inspections were done correctly. It's worth keeping an evidence in case.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of conducting an inspection, they may be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). So if you're a tenant, it's best to request one from your landlord as soon as you can.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates current and give copies to tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is quick and simple. The price isn't too costly either - it costs just PS50-PS90 for the certificate, depending on the location you live in and the number of gas appliances examined.
It's not expensive
You may not think of gas safety checks when you are considering the cost of renting a property. But this is an obligation that is legally required and should not be omitted. This will ensure that your tenants are safe and you can give an official certificate in the event that issues occur. Additionally, it will aid in avoiding expensive repairs in the future.
Remember that landlords should keep their pipes, appliances and flues clean. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which poses an extremely dangerous health danger. It can be caused by malfunctioning fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide, a colorless and tasteless gas, can't be detected without specialized equipment. It is crucial to install carbon monoxide detectors in every home and to check them frequently, as well as checking gas appliances.
The cost of a gas safety check for landlords may differ from engineer to engineer. However, you'll usually find a reasonable price online by entering your postcode and comparing quotes. Ask about discounts if there are multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety inspection is the location of your property. Landlords who reside in urban areas such as London will be required to pay more for a gas safety check than those who reside in less well-off regions or in remote areas.
Landlords should also be aware that some tenants might not allow access to the purpose of a check. This is usually due fears of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to spy on them. A carefully written note outlining the reasons behind getting access to their house should convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant continues to deny access, the landlord can decide to enforce the inspection. This could include giving the tenant with a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide if it is reasonable. The best thing for the landlord to do is contact the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is necessary.