Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances conform with the regulations and are safe. In the absence of this, it could result in fines and compromise tenant safety.
CP12 is the abbreviation for CORGI Form 12. Also called a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is an obligation of law to have your gas pipework and appliances examined annually. Some landlords have difficulty gaining access to their properties and are compelled to take on an inspection that is shorter.
It's an obligation of the law
It's important that you keep your gas safety certificate up-to-date regardless of whether you're a landlord who has a single property or a rental portfolio. A fine or even a criminal prosecution could be the result of not complying. There are also some practical benefits of having your gas appliances examined and a valid certificate displayed in every property.
The gas safety certificate includes information such as date of inspection, 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 identifies appliances that are considered to be unsafe for use and gives suggestions on how to fix the problem. If the engineer finds any unsafe appliances, they'll issue an "ID" code. If the appliance is found to be in danger 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 tenants and landlords. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 require landlords to take all reasonable measures to comply. This includes repeatedly trying to conduct the checks and notifying tenants that this is a requirement to ensure their safety. It's a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy contract.
The landlords should also display a copy their gas safety certificate at each property. This will help to stop tenants from moving into a property with unsafe gas appliances and also allows potential future tenants to look over the records of the safety checks. A gas safety certificate can also help you build credibility as an honest landlord. This will attract more tenants.
A Gas Safe registered Engineer will not only make sure that your gas equipment is safe, but a service contract will also save you time and money in the long term. Many gas companies offer discounted prices on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is important to look for the lowest price.
It's a great idea
As a landlord it is your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances in your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to identify and fix problems before they become dangerous and more serious. In addition regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good condition which means they're more likely to last for longer.
Landlords are legally required to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances in their homes. Without these certificates, landlords could face massive fines and may discover that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. It's simple to get a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and scheduling an appointment.
A yearly gas check is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's recommended to have more frequent check-ups, especially if your property has been empty for a long period of time. This is due to the fact that appliances can be altered or the gas supply may be shut off when the property was not being used.
If you are considering letting your property, it's essential to have a current gas safety certificate before you hand 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 ask your tenant to allow you access to their home prior to any inspection. If they don't agree to allow access, you can send them an email explaining the reason for access and the steps involved in the gas safety check. If they continue to refuse then you can start the eviction process with a section 21 notice.
Gas safety is your number one priority. You must carry a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. You could lose your tenancy deposit and be subject to legal action from your local council or Health and Safety Executive if you don't. 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
Not everyone is happy about the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It is not only an obligation under the law, but it is it is also a good idea to make sure that tenants use appliances that have been tested by experts. In the event that something goes wrong it could cause an extremely dangerous gas-related accident that could be a nightmare for anyone who lives within or around the property.
Some tenants, however aren't willing to permit these inspections. This is reasonable. They may think that it is a violation of their privacy or believe that the check might be an attempt to monitor their activities or habits. However, landlords must keep in their minds that they are legally obliged to carry out these inspections, and they must only do it only if tenants permit them access to their property.
Being faced with angry tenants can be a hassle particularly for landlords who own multiple properties. It's also important for landlords to keep in mind that if they don't obtain their gas safety certification they could face hefty fines and tenants may not be permitted to move in until the issue has been dealt with.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you ever have to repossess the property. They may not be able to prove that they've carried out the correct inspections if previous tenants haven't kept copies therefore it's worthwhile to keep the certificate in case.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of carrying out an inspection, they could be charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you are a tenant then you should request a copy of the gas safety certificate from your landlord as soon as you can.
Landlords need to keep their Gas Safe certificates up to current and to share copies with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online with a simple and quick procedure. The price isn't too costly either - it's just PS50-PS90 to get the certificate, dependent on where you live and how many gas appliances are examined.
It's affordable
When you think about the costs of renting out a property it is likely that you don't think about the cost of gas safety inspections. But safety certificates is a legal requirement that should not be ignored. It will ensure that your tenants are protected and you can provide an authentic certificate should any problems arise. It also helps you avoid expensive repairs.
It is also important to remember that landlords must keep their plumbing, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance will help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a serious health danger. It can be caused by faulty gas boilers, cookers, and fires. Carbon monoxide, a colourless and tasteless gas, can't be detected without the use of specialized equipment. It is crucial to install carbon monoxide detectors in each home and to check them frequently, as well as checking gas appliances.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety check may vary slightly depending on the engineer. However, you can often find a competitive price online by entering your postcode and then comparing quotes. It's also worth asking for discounts if you own multiple properties that must be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
The location of your home is another factor that could affect the cost of a safety inspection. Landlords who reside in urban areas such as London will have to pay more for a gas safety inspection than those who reside in less affluent regions or in remote areas.
Landlords must also be aware that some tenants might not allow access to the check. This is usually due the fear of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a plot to spy on them. A carefully composed note describing your motives for gaining access to their home should convince them.
If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection, the landlord may take action. This can include giving a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The most effective way for the landlord do is communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety check is required.