Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances are in compliance with the regulations and are safe. In the absence of this, it could lead to penalties and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for CORGI Form 12. It is also called a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is legally required to have your gas pipework as well as appliances and flues examined each year. But some landlords struggle to gain access to their properties and are forced to cut their inspections.
It's a legal requirement
It is essential to keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date, whether you are a landlord with one property or a rental portfolio. Failure to do so could result in a fine or prosecution. It is also beneficial to get your gas appliances checked and have a valid certificate on every home.
The gas safety certificate includes details such as the date of inspection, address of the property inspected, details of each appliance with their current condition and the name and ID number of the engineer that conducted the survey. It also identifies appliances considered unsafe to use and gives suggestions for fixing 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 not immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can refuse access to a safety check. This can cause problems in the relationship between tenants and landlords. However landlords are required to take every reasonable step to ensure compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes repeatedly trying to conduct 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 Tenancy agreement.
Landlords should also display a copy their gas safety certificate at each property. This can help prevent tenants from settling in a home with gas appliances that are unsafe. It can also permit potential tenants to review the results of the safety checks. Furthermore having gas safe building regulations compliance certificate will help to build an image of an honest and professional landlord, which can attract more tenants.
In addition to ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, having an annual service contract with an Gas Safe Registered Engineer can save you money and time in the long term. For example, many gas companies offer a discount price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is a good idea to shop around to find the most affordable price for you.
It's a great idea
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that the gas appliances on your property are safe. Regular inspections by a certified Gas Safe engineer are the most effective way to spot and correct any issues before they become more serious and potentially dangerous for tenants. Regular inspections also assist in keeping gas boilers, as well as other equipment, in good working condition which will allow them to last longer.
Landlords need to have a Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance within their home. These certificates are required by law, and landlords who don't have them are subject to heavy fines or find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It's easy to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and making an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a once-a-year gas inspection. However, it is advisable to conduct more frequent inspections when you've left your property empty for a long time. This is because appliances can be altered or the gas supply might have been turned off while the property was not being used.
It's essential to have an updated gas safety report when re-letting a property. This is to ensure that you can give keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required when tenants have taken away the old appliances or any work has been done on the gas system.
It's a great idea to request your tenant to give you access to their home prior to any inspection. If they're hesitant to give access, you can write an unambiguously written letter explaining the reasons for access and what the gas safety inspections will include. If they do not agree to comply, you can initiate the eviction procedure with an official notice under section 21.
When it concerns gas safety, your main 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 tenancy deposit and could be subject to legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. It's a good idea, to avoid this, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to undergo an annual inspection by an Gas Safe engineer.
It's a pain
When it is about landlord gas safety inspections there are a lot of people who are not satisfied with the situation. It is not only an official requirement, but it is also a good idea make sure that tenants use appliances that have been tested by a professional. If something goes wrong, this could lead to a gas-hazard situation that could be catastrophic for anyone in or around the building.
Some tenants, however, do not want to be inspected. This is reasonable. Some tenants may feel that it is an invasion of their privacy or believe the check could be a ploy to spy or track them. Landlords need to remember that they have an obligation under law to conduct these inspections, and only do it if tenants allow them access to their property.
It can be a hassle for landlords to to manage tenants who are recalcitrant particularly if they own multiple properties. It is important for landlords to remember that in the event that their gas safety certification is not obtained, they may face heavy fines, and tenants may not be allowed to move into the house until the problem is solved.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you have to ever repossess the property. If the previous tenants don't have a copy the certificate, they might not be able to prove the inspections were carried out correctly. It's a good idea to keep an evidence in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they don't give their tenants a copy of the certificate of gas safety within a period of 28 days following an inspection. 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 current and share copies with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online at a quick and simple process. The certificate is not expensive - depending on where you live and how many appliances are examined, it will cost between PS50 and PS90.
It's not expensive
You may not think of gas safety checks when you are considering the costs of renting a property. However, it is an essential legal requirement that should not be omitted. This ensures that your tenants are secure and you are able to provide a valid certificate if any issues occur. It can also help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
Remember that landlords must also maintain their plumbing, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which is an extremely dangerous health risk. It is caused by malfunctioning gas boilers, cookers or fires. Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas, tasteless and odourless that cannot be detected without specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every house and should be regularly checked. gas safety certificate how often must also be inspected.
The cost of the gas safety checks for landlords will vary from engineer to engineer. You can find a good price by entering your postcode online and comparison shopping for estimates. Consider discounts if you are multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer deals when you bundle inspections together.
Another aspect that influences the cost of a gas safety test is the location of your property. Landlords who reside in metropolitan areas like London will be required to pay more for a gas safety check than those who live in less affluent or in remote areas.
Landlords should also be aware that tenants will refuse to let access to conduct a security check. This is usually due the fear of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a plot to monitor them. A carefully composed note describing the reasons behind getting access to their home will convince them.
If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection, the landlord is able to take action. This can include sending a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether or not this is reasonable. The best thing for the landlord to do is to communicate with the tenant to explain the reasons why a gas safety inspection is necessary.