Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are responsible for making sure that all gas appliances comply with the rules and regulations and are safe. Infractions could lead to penalties and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation for CORGI Proforma 12. Also known as a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
Gas pipework, appliances and flues are required to be tested annually. But gas safe building regulations compliance certificate have difficulty to gain access to their properties and are forced to shorten their inspections.
It's an obligation of the law
It is crucial to keep your gas safety certificate current regardless of whether you're an owner of one property or a portfolio of rental properties. A penalty or even a fine could result from not complying. It is also important to inspect your gas appliances, and show a valid certificate in every home.
The gas safety certificates contain details like the date of inspection, address of the property that was inspected, the details of every appliance, their current status as well as the name and ID number of the engineer who conducted the survey. It also identifies appliances considered unsafe to use and provides suggestions for how to fix the fault. If the engineer discovers unsafe appliances, they'll issue an "ID" code. If the appliance is found to be in danger, but not immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can sometimes refuse access to a gas security inspection which is when the relationship between landlord and tenant can start to become problematic. However landlords must take all reasonable steps to be in compliance 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 security. It's also an excellent idea to include arrangements for access in the lease agreement.
The landlords should also display a copy their gas safety certificate at every property. This can help keep tenants from settling in a home with unsafe gas appliances and can also permit potential tenants to look over the records of the safety inspections. A gas safety certificate can also help you establish an image of an honest landlord. This will draw more tenants.
In addition to ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with a Gas Safe Registered Engineer will save you time and money in the long in the long. Many gas companies offer discounts 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. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to detect and address issues before they become dangerous and serious. Additionally regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good working order and therefore, they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords are required by law to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances that are installed 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 not difficult to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate for your home by hiring a qualified engineer and making an appointment.
A yearly gas check is the minimum required under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's a good idea to conduct more frequent inspections especially if your property has been left empty for a prolonged period of time. Gas safety regulations require a regular gas inspection, but it's a good idea to perform more frequent gas checks, especially if your property has been empty for a long period of time.
When it comes to re-letting your home, it is essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report prior to handing over the keys to the 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.
Before you conduct any inspection, it's recommended to talk to your tenant and ask them to allow access to the property. If they're hesitant to give access, you can write them a strongly worded letter that explains why access is needed and what the gas safety inspections will entail. If they are still refusing then you can start the eviction process by sending them the section 21 notice.
When it concerns gas safety, your primary responsibility is to ensure that you have an Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. If you don't, you risk losing your deposit to rent and could be subject to legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's a good idea to have regular inspections conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to date.
It's a hassle
When it comes to landlord gas safety inspections, not everyone is happy with the situation. It's not just 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, this could lead to a gas-hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone in or around the building.
Some tenants, however refuse to allow these inspections. This is reasonable. They might feel it's an infringement of their privacy or believe that the check is an attempt to monitor them or their lifestyles. But landlords should keep in their minds that they are legally bound to conduct the inspections and must only do it when tenants allow them access to their property.
The hassle of dealing with recalcitrant tenants can be frustrating especially for landlords with multiple properties. It's important that landlords remember that in the event that their gas safety certification is not obtained, they could be penalized with heavy fines and tenants may not be permitted to move into the house until the issue is resolved.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificates in the event that the property is ever repossessed. If the previous tenants don't have a copy the certificate, they may not be able prove that the inspections were conducted correctly. It's worth keeping an archive in case of need.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they don't provide their tenants with the original certificate of gas safety within 28 days of an inspection. So if you're a tenant, it's best to get one from your landlord as soon as you can.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates up to date and share a copy with their tenants. They can be purchased at Gas Safe online, and the process is quick and easy. The certificate is not expensive - depending on where you live and how many appliances are checked, it costs between PS50 and PS90.
It's not expensive
When you think about the costs of renting out a house you may not think about the cost of gas safety checks. This is a legal requirement and shouldn't be ignored. It will ensure that your tenants are safe and you can provide an official certificate in the event that there are any issues. Additionally, it will save you from costly repairs in the future.
It's also important to remember that landlords are required to maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good shape. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a serious health danger. It is caused by malfunctioning gas boilers, cookers and fires. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas, tasteless and odourless that cannot be detected without the use of specialist equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every house, and they should be regularly checked. Gas appliances must also be checked regularly.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety test will vary slightly based on the engineer. However, you'll usually find a reasonable price online by entering your postcode and comparing quotes. It's also worth asking about discounts if there are multiple properties that must be checked. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety check is the location of your property. Landlords living in metropolitan areas such as London will likely be required to pay more than those living in remote or less wealthy areas.
Landlords must be aware that some tenants might not allow access for the check. This is typically due to the fear of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a ploy to track them. A carefully worded note explaining your motives for getting access to their house should convince them.
If the tenant continues to refuse access, the landlord can decide to enforce the inspection. This can include giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord to do is contact the tenant to explain why a gas safety check is required.