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. Failure to adhere could lead to fines and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation of CORGI Form 12. Also known as a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord's Gas Safety Records.
It is legally required to have your gas pipework, appliances and flues examined every year. Some landlords face difficulties getting access to their properties and are forced into an inspection that is shorter.
It's a legal requirement
If you're a landlord who has one property or several rental properties, it's important to keep your gas safety certificates current. gas safe building regulations compliance certificate or even a prosecution could result from not complying. It is also advisable to get your gas appliances checked, and display a valid certificate in every home.
The gas safety certificates contain information such as date of inspection, address of property that was inspected, the details of each appliance with their current status and the name and ID number of the engineer that conducted the survey. It also lists any appliances that are deemed unsafe to use' and offers suggestions on ways to fix the problem. If the engineer discovers unsafe appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If an appliance is deemed to be at risk but not immediately dangerous, it will receive an "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse to allow access to a safety check. This can cause problems in the relationship between tenants and landlords. However, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure 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 also to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
The landlords should also display a copy of their gas safety certificate at each property. This will prevent tenants from moving into a property with unsafe gas appliances and will also allow potential tenants to review the results of safety checks. In addition having a gas safety certification will help to build reputation as an honest and professional landlord, which can attract more tenants.
A Gas Safe registered Engineer will not only ensure that your gas equipment is secure, but a service contract will also save you money and time in the long run. For instance, many gas companies offer a discounted price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea shop around to find the best deal for you.
It's a good idea
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure the safety of any gas appliances in your property. Regular inspections conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the most effective way to spot and correct any issues before they become more serious and risky for tenants. Regular inspections aid in keeping gas boilers, as well as other equipment, in good working order and allow them to last longer.
Landlords must have an Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance within their home. Without these certificates, landlords risk hefty fines and may find that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. It's simple to get a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and making an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a yearly gas inspection. However, gas safe building regulations compliance certificate is advisable to conduct more frequent checks if you have been away from your property for a long period of time. This is because appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply might have been shut off while the property is unoccupied.
It is essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report when re-letting an apartment. This is so that you can hand over keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have removed the old appliances, or if any work has been completed on the gas system.
Before any inspection it's an excellent idea to talk to your tenant and ask them to give access to the property. If they don't agree then you can write a letter explaining the reason behind access and the steps involved in the gas safety check. If they continue to refuse then you can start the eviction process by sending them an official notice under section 21.
When it is about gas safety, your primary responsibility is to make sure that you have a Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. If you don't, you could risk losing your deposit for tenancy and possibly facing legal action from your local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's a good idea to have regular inspections conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to date.
It's a hassle
Not everyone is happy about the gas safety inspections for landlords. It's not just an official requirement, but it is also a good idea make sure that tenants use appliances that have been checked by a professional. If something goes wrong, this could lead to a gas-hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone who lives in or within the building.
However, some tenants are unwilling to let these inspections in This is understandable. Some tenants might feel it's an invasion of privacy or think that the inspection could be an attempt to snoop on or track them. But landlords need to bear in mind that they are legally obligated to carry out these inspections, and can only do this if the tenants grant them access to their property.
It can be difficult for landlords to to manage tenants who are resistant especially if they have multiple properties. It's important that landlords remember that if their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they could face heavy fines and tenants may not be allowed to move into the house until the problem is resolved.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you ever need to take possession of the property. If the previous tenants do not have a copy of the certificate, they might not be able to prove the inspections were done correctly. It's worth having an evidence in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they don't provide their tenants with an official 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 as soon as you can.
Landlords need to keep their Gas Safe certificates up to date and provide a copy with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online at a quick and simple procedure. The certificate is not expensive depending on where you live and how many appliances are checked, it costs between PS50 and PS90.
It's not expensive
You probably don't think about gas safety checks when you are considering the cost of renting a house. But it is an obligation that is legally required and must not be overlooked. It will ensure that your tenants are secure and you can produce a valid certificate in case there are any issues. Additionally, it will save you from costly repairs in the future.
It is also important to remember that landlords must maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good working order. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which is an extremely dangerous health risk. It can be caused by defective gas boilers, cookers and fires. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and tasteless gas, can't be detected without specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every home, and they should be checked regularly. Gas appliances also need to be checked regularly.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety test will vary slightly based on the specialist. You can find a reasonable price by entering your postcode online and comparison shopping for quotes. It's important to inquire about discounts if there are multiple properties that must be checked. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
Another aspect that influences the cost of a gas safety check is the location of your house. Landlords who live in urban areas like London will likely be required to pay more than those in remote or less wealthy areas.
Landlords must also be aware that some tenants might not allow access to the check. This is usually due to tenants' fear of invasion of privacy or suspicions of spying. A carefully written note outlining the reasons behind gaining access to their home will convince them.
If the tenant continues to deny access, the landlord is able to decide to force the tenant to comply with the inspection. This could include the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The best thing for the landlord to do is communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is required.