Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must make sure the gas appliances are safe and in compliance with the regulations. Failure to do so could lead to fines and compromise tenant safety.
CP12 is an abbreviation for CORGI Proforma 12. certificate cost is also called a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is legally required to have your gas pipework, appliances and flues examined each year. However, some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties and are forced to reduce their inspection time.
It's an obligation of the law
Whether you're a landlord with one property or several rental properties, it's important to keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date. Inability to do so could result in a fine, or even prosecution. It is also advisable to have your gas appliances inspected, and have a valid certificate on every home.
A gas safety certificate includes details such as the date of inspection the address of the property which was inspected, the specifics of each appliance inspected, their current status, as well as the name and identification number of the engineer who conducted the survey. It also identifies 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 considered to be at risk, but not immediately dangerous it will receive a "AR" code.
Tenants can sometimes refuse access for a gas safety inspection, and this is where the relationship between landlord and tenant can begin to get strained. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 oblige landlords to take all reasonable measures to ensure compliance. This includes repeatedly trying to conduct the checks and inform tenants that this is a requirement for their security. It's also a good idea to include arrangements for access in the Tenancy agreement.
Landlords must also ensure that they display a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will prevent tenants from moving into properties that have gas appliances that are unsafe, and permit potential tenants to see the record of safety inspections. In addition having a gas safety certification will help you establish a reputation for being an honest and professional landlord, which could attract more tenants.
In addition to ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with an Gas Safe Registered Engineer will save you money and time in the long term. Many gas companies offer discounted prices on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is a good idea to look around and find the most affordable price for you.
It's a great idea
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances on your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to detect and correct issues before they become more dangerous and serious. Regular inspections can also assist in keeping gas boilers, as well as other equipment, in good condition which will allow them to last for longer.
Landlords must have the Gas Safety Certificate valid for every gas appliance they have in their home. Without these certificates, landlords are at risk of huge fines and could discover that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. It is easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and scheduling an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a once-a-year gas inspection. However it is recommended to do more frequent checks if you have abandoned your home for a long period of time. This is due to the fact that appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply may be shut off when the property was not being used.
If you are considering letting your home, it is essential to have a current gas safety report prior to handing over the keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required in the event that the older appliances have been used by the tenants or any work has been completed on the gas system since the last inspection.
Before conducting any inspections, 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 an email explaining the reason for access and what will be included in the gas safety inspection. If they continue to refuse, you can start the eviction process with the section 21 notice.
Gas safety is your top priority. You must have a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. If you don't, you could 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 avoid this, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual inspection by an Gas Safe engineer.
It's a pain
Some aren't happy with the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It is not only an obligation under the law, but it is also a good idea to make sure that tenants use appliances that have been checked by professionals. After all, if something goes wrong, it could lead to a catastrophic gas-hazard incident which is a disaster for anyone who is in or around the home.
Some tenants will not allow access for these inspections, which is quite understandable. They may think it's a violation of their privacy or suspect that the check might be some sort of ploy to observe them or their lifestyles. Landlords should keep in mind that they have an obligation under law to conduct these inspections, and can only do so in the event that tenants allow access to their property.
It can be difficult for landlords to to deal with tenants who are unreliable, especially if they own multiple properties. It's also important for landlords to keep in mind that if they don't get their gas safety certificate and are fined, they'll face heavy penalties and the tenants might not be permitted to move in until the problem has been dealt with.
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 prove that the inspections were conducted correctly. It's worth keeping an evidence in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they do not provide their tenants with the original certificate of gas safety within a period of 28 days following an inspection. If you are a tenant then you should get your landlord's permission as soon as possible.
Landlords are required to 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 - depending on where you are and how many appliances are tested, it ranges between PS50 and PS90.
It's not expensive
When you think about the cost of renting out a house you may not think about the cost of gas safety checks. This is a legal requirement that shouldn't be ignored. This ensures that your tenants are protected, and you can provide an appropriate certificate should issues arise. It can also save you from costly repairs in the future.
It's also important to keep in mind that a landlord must keep their pipework, appliances and flues in good shape. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide, a serious health hazard. This can be caused by malfunctioning gas cookers, fires, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that cannot be detected without the use of specialist equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every property and regularly checked. Gas appliances also need to be inspected.
The cost of a landlord gas safety check can vary slightly from engineer to engineer. You can find a good price by entering your postcode online and looking at quotes. Consider discounts if you are multiple properties to be checked. Some engineers offer discounts if you bundle inspections together.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety check is the location of your home. Landlords who live in areas with high-end amenities like London will be required to pay more for a gas safety test than those who reside in less affluent 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 typically due to the fear of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to track them. A carefully worded note explaining your reasons for getting access to their home should convince them.
If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection, the landlord can take actions. This can include serving a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether the notice is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to speak with the tenant to explain why it is necessary to conduct an inspection of gas safety.