Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances are in compliance with the rules and regulations and are safe. In the absence of this, it could result in fines and may compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation of CORGI Proforma 12. Also called a Gas Safety Certificate, or 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 cut their inspections.
It's an official requirement
If you're a property owner with one property or an investor with a portfolio of rental properties, it's essential to keep your gas safety certificates current. Inability to do so could result in a fine or even prosecution. It is also beneficial to have your gas appliances inspected and display a valid certificate in every home.
A gas safety certificate contains information such as the date of inspection the address of the house which was inspected, the specifics of each appliance inspected, their current condition, and the name and identification number of the engineer who performed the survey. It also identifies appliances which are considered 'unsafe to use' and provides suggestions on ways to fix the problem. If the engineer discovers unsafe appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If an appliance is considered to be at risk but not immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can refuse access to a safety inspection. This can create problems in the relationship between landlords and tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 oblige landlords to take all reasonable steps to be in compliance. This should include making several attempts to perform the checks and then writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement for their own security. It's also recommended to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
The landlords should also display a copy their gas safety certificate at every property. This will prevent tenants from moving into a property with gas appliances that are unsafe. It can also permit potential tenants to review the results of safety checks. Additionally, a gas safety certificate can help build reputation as an honest and professional landlord, which can bring in more tenants.
As well as 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 instance, a lot of gas companies offer a reduced price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. updated blog post 's a good idea shop around to find the best deal for you.
It's a great idea.
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that the gas appliances that are located on your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to identify and fix problems before they become more dangerous and serious. Additionally regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good condition which means they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords must possess the Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance in their property. Without these certificates, landlords are at risk of hefty fines and may find that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. It's not difficult to get a Gas Safety Certificate for your property by hiring a qualified engineer and making an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a annual gas inspection. However, it is advisable to conduct more frequent inspections in the event that you have left your property empty for a prolonged period. This is due to the fact that appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply could be shut off when the property was empty.
If you are considering letting your home, it is essential to have a current gas safety report before you hand over the keys to new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have taken away the old appliances or any work has been completed on the gas system.
It's a great idea to ask your tenant to allow access to their home prior to any inspection. If they are reluctant to give access, you can write an unambiguously written letter that explains the reason for access and what the gas safety inspection will entail. If they refuse to allow access, you can start the eviction process by sending them the section-21 notice.
Gas safety is your number one priority. You must carry an Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. If you don't, you could risk losing your tenancy deposit and could be subject to legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's recommended to schedule annual inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to current.
It's a thorny issue
Some aren't happy with the gas safety inspections for landlords. It's not only a legal requirement, but it's also good sense to make sure tenants are using appliances which have been inspected by experts. After all, if something goes wrong it could cause an extremely dangerous gas-related accident that is a disaster for anyone who lives in or around the property.
But some tenants refuse to let these inspections in It's quite understandable. They might think it's an infringement of their privacy, or they may suspect that the inspection could be an attempt to monitor their activities or habits. Landlords should be aware that they are under a legal obligation to conduct these inspections, and only do it in the event that tenants allow access to their properties.
Having to deal with recalcitrant tenants can be stressful especially for landlords with multiple properties. It's important that landlords remember that when their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they may be fined a lot and tenants might not be permitted to move into the house until the problem is addressed.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you have to ever repossess the property. They may not be able to prove that they've conducted the correct inspections if the previous tenants haven't kept copies, so it's worth keeping a record just in case.
If a landlord doesn't give their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of conducting an inspection, they can be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). So if you're a tenant, you should try to request one from your landlord immediately.
Landlords need to keep their Gas Safe certificates up to date and provide a copy with their tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is simple and easy. The certificate isn't expensive - depending on where you live and how many appliances are tested, it ranges between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
You may not think of gas security checks when you think about the cost of renting a home. This is a legal requirement and should not be ignored. It will ensure that your tenants are safe and you can provide a valid certificate in case any problems arise. It can also assist you to avoid future costly repairs.
It is also important to remember that landlords are required to maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can help prevent carbon monoxide which is a major health hazard. It can be caused by faulty fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odourless gas that isn't detectable without specialist equipment. It's essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in each property and check them regularly, as well as checking gas appliances.
The cost of the gas safety checks for landlords will vary from engineer to engineer. You can find a reasonable price by entering your postcode online and looking at estimates. It's important to inquire about discounts if there are multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
The location of your home is another factor that could influence the cost of a safety check. Landlords who live in areas with high-end amenities like London will have to pay more for a gas safety test than those who live in less affluent or in remote areas.
Landlords must be aware of the possibility that tenants will refuse to allow access to conduct a verification. This is usually due fears of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a plot to monitor them. A carefully composed note describing your reasons for getting access to their house should convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the inspection, the landlord can take action. This can include giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will decide if this is reasonable. The most effective thing for the landlord to do is to communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is necessary.