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 rules and regulations and are safe. Infractions could result in fines and may compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation form of CORGI Proforma 12. Also called a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
Gas pipework, appliances and flues must be tested every year. Some landlords face difficulties getting access to their property, and are forced to follow an inspection that is shorter.
It's an official requirement
If you're a landlord who has one property or several rental properties, it's essential to keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date. Failure to do so could result in a fine or even prosecution. It is also advisable to inspect your gas appliances and have a valid certificate on each property.
The gas safety certificates contain information such as date of inspection, the address of the property which was inspected, information about each appliance with their current status and the ID number and name of the engineer who conducted the survey. It also lists appliances that are considered to be unsafe for use and gives suggestions on 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 isn't immediately dangerous the appliance will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can sometimes refuse access to a gas security check which 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 includes attempting multiple times to perform the checks and inform tenants that this is a requirement to ensure their safety. It's a good idea also to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords should be sure to have a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will help to stop tenants from moving into a property with unsafe gas appliances and will also allow potential tenants to look over the records of safety checks. Additionally having a gas safety certification will help to build a reputation for being an honest and professional landlord, which will draw more tenants.
A Gas Safe Registered Engineer can not only guarantee that your gas equipment is secure however, a service contract will also save you money and time in the long run. Many gas companies offer discounted prices 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 that are located on your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to find and address issues before they become dangerous and more serious. In addition, regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good working order and therefore, they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords must possess an Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance in their property. Without these certificates, landlords could face hefty fines and may find that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. It's easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and scheduling 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. This is because appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply could be shut off when the property is unoccupied.
It's essential to have a current gas safety certificate when you are re-letting an apartment. This is so that you can hand over the keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required when the old appliances were taken by tenants or if any work has been done on the gas system since your last inspection.
It's a good idea to ask your tenant to grant you access to their property prior to any inspection. If they are reluctant you can mail an unambiguously written letter that explains the reason for access and what the gas safety inspection 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 primary obligation is to ensure that you have an Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. You could lose your deposit and be subject to legal action by the local council or Health and Safety Executive if you don't. It's a good idea to prevent this from happening, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual inspection by a Gas Safe engineer.
It's a pain
Some people are not happy with the gas safety inspections for landlords. It's not only a legal requirement, but it also makes good sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances that have been inspected by experts. If something goes wrong, it could lead to a gas-hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone living in or around the building.
Some tenants, however, do not want to be inspected. This is understandable. They might think that it is a violation of their privacy or suspect that the check is an attempt to observe them or their lifestyles. However, landlords must keep in mind that they are legally bound to conduct these inspections, and they can only do this only if tenants permit them access to their property.
It can be frustrating for landlords to have to manage tenants who are recalcitrant, especially if they own multiple properties. It's important that landlords remember that in the event that their gas safety certification is not obtained, they may be penalized with heavy fines and tenants might not be permitted 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 do not have a copy of the certificate, they may not be able to prove the inspections were conducted correctly. It's a good idea to keep a record in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can prosecute a landlord if they don't provide their tenants with a copy of the certificate of gas safety within 28 days after an inspection. So if you're a tenant, you should try to get one from your landlord immediately.
Landlords should 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 is not expensive - depending on where you live and how many appliances are tested, it ranges between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
When you think about the costs of renting a property, you probably don't consider the cost of gas safety checks. Yet it is an obligation that is legally required and should not be omitted. It will ensure your tenants are protected and you can provide an official certificate in the event that any issues arise. It also helps you avoid expensive repairs.
It's also important to keep in mind that a landlord must maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good shape. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide, which is a serious health risk. It can be caused by faulty gas cookers, fires and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that can't be detected without the use of specialist equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every property, and they should be regularly checked. Gas appliances should also be checked regularly.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety check may vary slightly depending on the technician. However, you can often find a competitive price online by entering your postcode and comparing prices. You can inquire about discounts if there are several properties to be inspected. homeowner gas safety certificate offer discounts when you combine inspections.
The location of your home is a further factor that may affect the cost of a security check. Landlords living in cities like London will likely be required to pay more than those living in less affluent regions or in remote areas.
Landlords must also be aware that some tenants may not be able to grant access for the check. This is typically due to a fear of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to monitor them. But a well-written letter stating the reason for access should persuade them to let you in.
If a tenant continues to refuse access, the landlord can decide to force the tenant to comply with the inspection. This includes giving a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide if or not this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to speak with the tenant and explain why it's necessary to carry out the gas safety inspection.