Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances conform with the rules and regulations and are safe. Failure to do so could lead to penalties and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation for CORGI Proforma 12. Also called a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord's Gas Safety Records.
Gas pipework, appliances, and flues must be inspected annually. Some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties, and are forced into a shorter inspection cycle.
It's an official requirement
Whether you're a landlord with one property or several rental properties, it's crucial to keep your gas safety certificates up to date. In the event of a failure to do this, it could result in a fine or prosecution. It is also advisable to inspect your gas appliances, and show a valid certificate in every property.
The gas safety certificate includes details such as the date of inspection, the address of the property inspected, details of every appliance, their current condition and the name and ID number of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also lists any appliances that are deemed unsafe to use' and provides suggestions on how to remove the fault. The engineer will issue an "ID code" when they discover appliances that are not suitable. If an appliance is considered to be in danger, but not immediately the appliance will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse access to a gas security inspection which is when the relationship between landlord and tenant may be strained. However, landlords must make every effort to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes making multiple attempts to perform the checks and writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own safety. It's a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
The landlords must also make sure that they display a copy gas safety certificates in every property. This will help to keep tenants from settling in a home that has gas appliances that are unsafe and will also allow potential tenants to look over the records of the safety checks. A gas safety certificate can also help you establish a good reputation as a responsible landlord. This will attract more tenants.
As well as ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with a Gas Safe Registered Engineer will save you money and time in the long in the long. Many gas companies offer discounts on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea to look around and find the most affordable price for you.
It's a good idea.
As a landlord, it's your duty to ensure that the gas appliances in your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to identify and fix problems before they become more dangerous and serious. In addition regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good working order and therefore, they're more likely to last for longer.
Landlords are required by law to have an active Gas Safety Certificate for each gas appliance in their homes. Without gas safe installation certificate , landlords are at risk of huge fines and could discover that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. It is easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and scheduling an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a once-a-year gas inspection. However it is recommended to conduct more frequent inspections if you have left your property empty for a long time. This is because appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply could be shut off when the property is unoccupied.
It's essential to have an up-to-date gas safety certificate when you are re-letting a property. This is so that you can transfer keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have removed the old appliances or any work has been completed on the gas system.
Before you conduct any inspection, it's an excellent idea to talk to your tenant and ask them to grant you access to the property. If they don't agree to allow access, you can send them a letter explaining the reason behind access and what will be included during the gas safety inspection. If they are still refusing, you can start the process of eviction with the section 21 notice.
When it comes to gas safety, your most important responsibility is to make sure that you have an Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. If you don't have one, you risk losing your deposit to rent and could be subject to legal action from your local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's an ideal idea 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 aren't happy with the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It's not just a legal requirement but it is also a good idea ensure that tenants are using appliances that have been inspected by experts. If something goes wrong, this could result in a gas-hazard situation that could be catastrophic for anyone living in or within the building.
Some tenants, however, refuse to allow these inspections. This is understandable. They might feel that it is a violation of their privacy or believe that the check is some sort of ploy to spy on them or their habits. Landlords must keep in mind that they have an obligation under law to conduct these inspections and can only do so in the event that tenants allow access to their homes.
It can be frustrating for landlords to to deal with tenants who are unreliable especially if they have multiple properties. It is important for landlords to remember that when their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they could face heavy fines and tenants might not be allowed to move into the property until the problem is resolved.
It's also a good idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificate in the event that the property is ever taken. They might not be able to prove that they've conducted the correct inspections if the previous tenants didn't keep a copy, so it's worth keeping the certificate in case.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of conducting an inspection, they may be charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you are a tenant, it is recommended to ask your landlord for one as soon as you can.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and share copies with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online at a quick and simple process. The cost isn't too expensive either - it's just PS50-PS90 to get the certificate, depending on the location you live in and how many gas appliances are examined.
It's affordable
When you think about the cost of renting a property you may not think about the cost of gas safety checks. This is a legal requirement that must not be overlooked. It will ensure that your tenants are protected and you can produce a valid certificate in case there are any issues. It can also help you to avoid future costly repairs.
Remember that landlords should keep their appliances, pipework and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can help prevent carbon monoxide which is a major health risk. It can be caused by defective gas boilers, cookers, and fires. Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that cannot be detected without specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every home and monitored regularly. Gas appliances must also be checked regularly.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety test can vary a bit depending on the technician. However, it is possible to find a competitive price online by entering your postcode and comparing prices. It is important to inquire about discounts if there are several properties that need to be checked. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
The location of your home is another factor that could affect the cost of a security check. Landlords who reside in urban areas such as London will be required to pay more for a gas safety inspection than those who reside in less affluent regions or remote areas.
Landlords should also be aware that some tenants may refuse to allow access for the purpose of a check. This is typically due to a fear of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to track them. A carefully composed note describing your motives for getting access to their house will convince them.
If a tenant continues to refuse access to the property, the landlord may take action to force the tenant to comply with the inspection. This could include serving an Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether it is reasonable. The most effective option for the landlord to do is to communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is necessary.