Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must make sure all gas appliances are safe and comply with the rules. In the absence of this, it could lead to penalties and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation of 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 checked each year. Some landlords face difficulties getting access to their properties and are compelled to take on a shorter inspection cycle.
It's a requirement by 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. In the event of a failure to do this, it could result in a fine, or even prosecution. It is also advisable to inspect your gas appliances and to display a valid certificate in every property.
A gas safety certification contains details such as the date of inspection the address of the house which was inspected, the specifics of each appliance inspected, their current status, and the name and identification number of the engineer who performed the survey. It also lists any appliances that are deemed unsafe to use' and offers suggestions on how to remove the fault. The engineer will issue an "ID code" if they find any appliances that are not suitable. If an appliance is deemed to be in danger, but isn't immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse access for a gas safety inspection and this is when the relationship between landlord and tenant can start to become problematic. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 require landlords to take all reasonable steps to be in compliance. This means making multiple attempts to conduct the checks and writing to the tenant explaining that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own security. It's also a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy contract.
Landlords must also ensure that they have a copy of their gas safety certificate in each property. This will prevent tenants from moving into a property with unsafe gas appliances and also allows potential future tenants to look over the records of safety checks. A gas safety certificate can also help you establish an image of a responsible landlord. how much gas safety certificate will attract more tenants.
As well as ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with an Gas Safe Registered Engineer will save your time and money in the long term. For instance, many gas companies offer a discount cost for annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea look around and 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 in your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to detect and fix problems before they become dangerous and serious. Regular inspections will aid in keeping gas boilers, and other equipment in good condition and allow them to last for longer.
Landlords are legally required to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each gas appliance in their properties. Without these certificates, landlords are at risk of massive fines and may discover that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. It's not difficult to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate for your property by contacting a certified engineer and arranging for an appointment.
A gas inspection every year is the minimum required under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it is advisable to have more frequent check-ups especially if your property has been empty for a prolonged period of time. Gas safety regulations require a regular gas check, however it's a good idea perform more frequent gas inspections, especially if the property has been vacant for a prolonged period.
It is essential to have an updated gas safety report before letting an apartment. This is so you can hand over keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have taken away the old appliances or any work was done on the gas system.
Before you conduct any inspection it is recommended to talk to your tenant and ask them to allow you access to the property. If they're not willing to give access, you can write them a clearly written letter stating why access is needed and what the gas safety checks will entail. If they refuse, you can begin the eviction process by sending them a section-21 notice.
When it comes to gas safety, your primary responsibility is to make sure that you have a Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. You could lose your tenancy deposit and be subject to legal action by the local council or Health and Safety Executive if you do not. To avoid this, it's always a good idea to have annual inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to date.
It's a pain
When it comes to landlord gas safety inspections There are many who aren't satisfied with the way things are going. It's not just a legal requirement, but it's also good sense to make sure tenants are using appliances that are inspected by professionals. If something goes wrong, it could lead to a gas-hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone living in or within the building.
But some tenants refuse to allow access for these inspections, which is understandable. Some tenants may feel that it is an invasion of privacy or think that the inspection could be an attempt to snoop on or monitor them. Landlords must remember that they have the legal obligation to conduct these inspections and only do this when tenants permit access to their homes.
The hassle of dealing with recalcitrant tenants can be a hassle, especially for landlords who own multiple properties. It is crucial that landlords keep in mind that in the event that their gas safety certification is not obtained, they may face heavy fines and tenants might not be allowed to move into the house until the problem is addressed.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificate 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 done correctly. It's worth having an evidence in case.
If a landlord doesn't give their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of carrying out an inspection, they can be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). So if you're a tenant, it's recommended to request one from your landlord as soon as you can.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates current and give copies to tenants. Gas Safe offers them online with a simple and quick process. The certificate is not costly dependent on where you're located and how many appliances are examined, it will cost between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
When you think about the expenses of renting out a property it is likely that you don't think about the cost of gas safety checks. Yet this is a legal requirement that must not be overlooked. This will ensure that your tenants are protected and you are able to provide a valid certificate if any issues occur. Plus, it can aid in avoiding expensive repairs in the future.
It is also important to remember that landlords must maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance will help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which poses serious health risk. It can be caused by faulty fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide, a colorless and tasteless gas, cannot be detected without special equipment. It's essential to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your property and check them regularly as well as examining gas appliances.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety test may vary slightly depending on the specialist. However, it is possible to find a competitive price online by entering your postcode and comparing prices. It's also worth asking for discounts if you own multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
Another aspect that influences the cost of a gas safety inspection is the location of your home. Landlords who live in urban areas such as London will have to pay more for a gas safety test than those who live in less well-off regions or in remote regions.
Landlords should be aware that some tenants may not be able to grant access for the purpose of a check. This is usually due to the fear of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a plot to track them. A carefully worded note explaining the reasons behind getting access to their home should convince them.
If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection, the landlord is able to take actions. This includes giving an 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 the reasons why a gas safety inspection is necessary.