Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords need to ensure that all gas appliances are safe and in compliance with the regulations. In the absence of this, it could result in fines and compromise tenant safety.
CP12 is the abbreviation for CORGI Form 12. Also known as a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord’s Gas Safety Record.
It is legally required to have your gas safety certificate homeowner pipes as well as appliances and flues tested every year. However, some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties and are forced to cut their inspections.
It’s an official requirement
It’s important that you keep your gas safety certificate up-to-date regardless of whether you’re an owner of a single property or a portfolio of rental properties. In the event of a failure to do this, it could result in a fine or prosecution. There are also some practical benefits to having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certificate displayed at every location.
The gas safety certificates contain information such as date of inspection, the address of the property inspected, details of every appliance, their current status as well as the ID number and name of the engineer who conducted the inspection. It also identifies appliances that are deemed unsafe to use’ and offers suggestions on ways to eliminate the issue. The engineer will issue an “ID code” if they find any appliances that are not suitable. If an appliance is considered to be in danger, but isn’t immediately hazardous, it will be issued an “AR” code.
Tenants can refuse access to a safety check. This can cause problems in the relationship between landlords and tenants. However, landlords must take every reasonable step to be in compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This should include making several attempts to perform the checks, and writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own safety. It’s a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords must also make sure that they have a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will stop tenants from moving into homes with unsafe gas appliances, and allow potential future tenants to look up the history of safety checks. A gas safety certificate will also help you build a good reputation as a responsible landlord. This will draw more tenants.
As well as ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with an Gas Safe registered Engineer can save you money and time in the long in the long. Many gas companies offer discounts on annual Gas Safety Certificates. You should look around to find the lowest price.
It’s a great idea
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances in your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to detect and correct issues before they become dangerous and serious. Regular inspections will also help keep gas boilers, as well other equipment, in good working order which will allow them to last for longer.
Landlords are required by law to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances that are installed in their properties. Without these certificates, landlords risk huge fines and could discover that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. Fortunately, it’s easy 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 yearly gas inspection. However, it is advisable to conduct more frequent checks in the event that you have abandoned your home for a long period of time. This is because appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply may have been turned off while the property was not being used.
When it comes to re-letting your home, it is essential to have a current gas safety certificate before you hand over the keys to new tenants. Re-inspections are also required when tenants have removed the old appliances or any work was done on the gas system.
Before conducting any inspections, it’s a good idea to speak to your tenant and ask them to give access to the property. If they don’t agree, you can send a letter explaining the reason for access and the steps included during the gas safety inspection. If they do not agree to allow access, you can start the eviction procedure with an official notice under section 21.
Gas safety what is gas safety certificate your top priority. You must have an Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. If you don’t have one, you risk losing your deposit for tenancy and could be subject to legal action from your local council or the Health and Safety Executive. It’s a good idea to prevent this from happening, 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 landlord gas safety inspections. It’s not only a legal requirement but it’s also good sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances which have been checked by professionals. If something goes wrong, it could result in a gas-hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone in or around the building.
Some tenants will not allow access for these inspections It’s quite understandable. Some tenants might feel it is an invasion of their privacy or think that the inspection is an attempt to snoop on or track them. Landlords must keep in mind that they have the legal obligation to conduct these inspections, and only do this in the event that tenants allow access to their homes.
It can be a hassle for landlords to have to deal with tenants who are unreliable especially if they have multiple properties. However, it’s important for landlords to be aware that if they don’t obtain their gas safety certification they could face hefty fines and the tenants could not be permitted to move in until the issue is resolved.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you ever have to repossess the property. If the previous tenants don’t have a copy the certificate, they may not be able to prove the inspections were carried out correctly. It’s worth having an archive in case of need.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of conducting an inspection, they could be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you’re a tenant, it’s recommended to ask your landlord for a copy as soon as possible.
Landlords need to keep their Gas Safe certificates up to current and to share copies with their tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is simple and easy. The price isn’t too costly either, as it costs only PS50-PS90 to get the certificate, depending on where you live and the number of gas appliances checked.
It’s affordable
When you think about the expenses of renting out a house, you probably don’t consider the cost of gas safety checks. This is a legal requirement and shouldn’t be ignored. This ensures that your tenants are secure and you can give a valid certificate if any problems arise. It can also help you avoid expensive repairs.
Remember that landlords should keep their appliances, pipework and flues clean. Regular maintenance can help prevent carbon monoxide, which is a serious health hazard. It is caused by defective fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide, a colorless and tasteless gas, is unable to be detected without special equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every home and monitored regularly. Gas appliances should also be checked.
The cost of a gas safety check for landlords will vary from engineer to engineer. However, you’ll usually find a reasonable price online by entering your postcode and then comparing quotes. It’s important to inquire for discounts if you own several properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts when you bundle inspections together.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety inspection is the location of your house. 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 well-off regions or remote regions.
Landlords should be aware that some tenants might not allow access to the check. This is usually due fears of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it’s a plot to monitor them. A carefully worded note explaining the reasons behind gaining 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, although the court will decide whether or not this is reasonable. The best thing for the landlord to do is communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety check is required.