Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are responsible for making sure that all gas appliances are in compliance with the rules and regulations and are safe. Failure to do so could result in fines and may compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation of CORGI Proforma 12. It is also called a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
Gas pipework, appliances, and flues are required to be tested annually. But some landlords have difficulty to gain access to their properties and are forced to shorten their inspection cycle.
It's an official requirement
If you're a landlord who has 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. There are also some practical benefits to having your gas appliances checked and a valid certificate displayed in each property.
The gas safety certificate contains information such as date of inspection, address of property that was inspected, the details of each appliance with their current status and the ID number and name of the engineer who conducted the survey. It also identifies appliances considered to be unsafe for use and offers suggestions on how to fix the problem. The engineer will issue an "ID code" when they discover appliances that are not suitable. If an appliance is considered to be at risk but isn't immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse access to a gas safety check, and this is where the relationship between landlord and tenant may start to become problematic. However landlords must take every reasonable step to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes repeatedly trying to perform the checks and informing the tenant that this is a requirement for their safety. It's a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords should be sure to have a copy of their gas safety certificate at each property. This will prevent tenants from moving into homes that have unsafe gas appliances and permit potential tenants to view the records of safety inspections. In addition, a gas safety certificate will help to build reputation as an honest 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 will save you time and money in the long run. For example, many gas companies offer a discounted price for annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is a good idea to look around and find the most affordable price for you.
It's a great idea.
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances that are located on your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to detect and correct issues before they become dangerous and more serious. Regular inspections can also assist in keeping gas boilers, as well as other equipment, in good working condition which will allow them to last longer.
Landlords are legally required to have an active Gas Safety Certificate for each gas appliance in their homes. Without these certificates, landlords could face huge fines and could discover that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. It's a breeze to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate for your property by hiring a qualified engineer and arranging for an appointment.
A yearly gas check is the minimum required under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's recommended to have more frequent checks especially if your property has been left empty for a prolonged period of time. Gas safety regulations require a regular gas check, but it's a good idea perform more frequent gas checks, especially if your property has been vacant for a long time.
It's essential to have a current gas safety report when re-letting an apartment. This is so you can give keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required when tenants have removed the old appliances or if any work was done on the gas system.
It's a great idea to ask your tenant to allow you access to their property prior to any inspection. If they don't agree then you can write an email explaining the reason behind access and what will be included in the gas safety check. If they don't want to go through the process to comply, you can initiate 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. You may lose your deposit and be subject to legal action by the local council or Health and Safety Executive if you don't. To avoid this, it's recommended to schedule annual inspections performed by a certified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to date.
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 ensure that tenants are using appliances that are inspected by professionals. If something goes wrong, it could lead to an incredibly dangerous gas-related incident that is a disaster for anyone who is in or around the property.
Some tenants, however do not want to be inspected. This is understandable. They might think that it is a violation of their privacy, or they may suspect that the check is an attempt to spy on their activities or habits. Landlords must be aware that they are under a legal obligation to conduct these inspections, and can only do so if tenants allow them access to their homes.
It can be difficult for landlords to have to deal with tenants who are recalcitrant, especially if they own multiple properties. It's important that landlords remember that if their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they could be penalized with heavy fines and tenants might not be permitted to move into the property until the issue is resolved.
It's also a good idea for landlords to keep copies of the gas safety certificates in case the property is ever repossessed. They may not be able to prove they've carried out the correct inspections if previous tenants didn't keep a copy and it's a good idea to keep the certificate in case.
If how long does gas safety certificate last doesn't give their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of conducting an inspection, they may be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you're a tenant, it's best to ask your landlord for a copy as soon as possible.
what is gas safety certificate need to keep their Gas Safe certificates up to date and share a copy with their tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is fast and simple. The price isn't too costly either - it's just PS50-PS90 for the certificate, dependent on the location you live in and the number of gas appliances tested.
It's affordable
When you think about the cost of renting out a property it is likely that you don't think about the cost of gas safety checks. However, this is an obligation that is legally required and must not be overlooked. It ensures your tenants are secure and you can produce an authentic certificate should any problems arise. It can also help you to avoid future costly repairs.
Remember that landlords should keep their pipes, appliances and flues clean. Regular maintenance will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a serious health danger. It is caused by defective fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that isn't detectable without specialist equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every property and regularly checked. Gas appliances must also be checked regularly.
The cost of the gas safety checks for landlords may differ from engineer to engineer. You can find a reasonable price by entering your postcode online and looking at quotes. Ask about discounts if there are multiple properties to be examined. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
Another aspect that influences the cost of a gas safety check is the location of your home. Landlords in cities like London will likely have to pay more than those in remote or less wealthy areas.
Landlords must be aware that certain tenants might not allow access to the check. This is usually due to tenants' fear of invasion of privacy or suspicion of spying. But a well-written letter stating the reason to gain access will convince them to let you in.
If the tenant continues to refuse access, the landlord can take action to enforce the inspection. This can include giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will decide if this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord to do is contact the tenant to explain why a gas safety check is required.