Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must ensure that all gas appliances are safe and comply with the rules. Failure to do so could result in penalties and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation form of CORGI Proforma 12. It is also known as a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
Gas pipework, appliances and flues are required to be tested every year. Some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties, and are forced to follow a shorter inspection period.
It's a requirement by law
It is crucial to keep your gas safety certificate up-to-date regardless of whether you're a landlord who has one property or a portfolio of rental properties. In the event of a failure to do this, it could result in a fine, or even prosecution. It is also beneficial to have your gas appliances inspected and display a valid certificate in every property.
A gas safety certification contains information such as the date of inspection and the address of the property which was inspected, the specifics of each appliance that was inspected with their current status, as well as the name and number of the engineer who performed the survey. It also identifies appliances which are considered 'unsafe to use' and offers suggestions on how to remove the fault. If the engineer finds any unsafe appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If the appliance is found to be at risk but not immediately the appliance will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can refuse access to a safety inspection. This could cause issues in the relationship between landlords and tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 require landlords to take reasonable measures to comply. This includes making multiple attempts to perform the checks and then writing to the tenant stating that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own security. It's also recommended 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 that have unsafe gas appliances and allow potential future tenants to look up the history of safety checks. In addition the gas safety certificate can help build an image of a responsible and professional landlord, which can bring in more tenants.
A Gas Safe registered Engineer will not only make sure that your gas equipment is safe however, a service contract will also save you time and money in the long term. For instance, a lot of gas companies offer a discount price for annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is important to shop for the most affordable price.
It's a good idea
As a landlord, it is your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances in your property are safe. Regular inspections conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the best way to identify and correct any issues before they become more serious and potentially dangerous for tenants. In addition regular inspections are a great way to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good condition which means they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords are legally required to possess a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each gas appliance in their homes. These certificates are required by law, and landlords who do not have them risk heavy fines or find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It is easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and making an appointment.
A gas inspection every year is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's a good idea to have more frequent checks particularly if your home has been empty for an extended period of time. Gas safety regulations require a regular gas check, however it's recommended to have more frequent inspections, particularly if your property has been vacant for a long time.
It is essential to have a current gas safety certificate when you are re-letting a property. This is to ensure that you can hand over the keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required in the event that 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 great idea ask your tenant to grant access to their property before any inspection. If gas safety certificate check don't agree, you can send a letter explaining the reason for access and what will be involved in the gas safety inspection. If they continue to refuse, you can start the eviction process with a section 21 notice.
When it concerns gas safety, your main responsibility is to make sure that you have a Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. You could lose your deposit and be subject to legal action from your 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 check by an Gas Safe engineer.
It's a thorny issue
Some people are not happy with the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It is not only an official requirement, but it is also a good idea make sure that tenants use appliances that have been inspected by experts. If something goes wrong, this could lead to a gas-hazard scenario that could be catastrophic for anyone in or within the building.
Certain tenants, however, aren't willing to permit these inspections. This is reasonable. Some tenants might think it is an invasion of their privacy or think that the inspection is an attempt to snoop on or monitor them. Landlords should remember that they have a legal obligation to conduct these inspections and can only do so if tenants allow them access to their properties.
It can be frustrating for landlords to have to deal with tenants who are unreliable particularly if they own multiple properties. It is crucial that landlords keep in mind that when their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they may be penalized with heavy fines and tenants may not be allowed to move into the property until the problem is resolved.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in the event that you have to ever repossess the property. They might not be able to prove that they had carried out the proper inspections if previous tenants didn't keep copies therefore it's worthwhile to keep the certificate in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they don't provide their tenants with a copy of the certificate of gas safety within a period of 28 days following an inspection. If you are a tenant, then you should request a copy of the gas safety certificate from your landlord immediately.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and give copies to tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is simple and simple. The certificate isn't expensive - depending on where you live and the number of appliances examined, it will cost between PS50 and PS90.
It's not expensive
When you think about the costs of renting out a house, you probably don't consider the cost of gas safety inspections. This is a legal requirement and should not be ignored. It ensures your tenants are protected and you can produce an official certificate in the event that any issues arise. Plus, it can aid in avoiding costly repairs in the future.
Remember that landlords should maintain their plumbing, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which is a serious health danger. It can be caused by faulty gas boilers, cookers, and fires. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that isn't detectable without specialized equipment. It's essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in every home and to check them frequently as well as examining gas appliances.
The cost of a gas safety check for landlords may differ from engineer to engineer. However, you can often find a good price online by entering your postcode and then comparing quotes. Consider discounts if you are several properties to be examined. Some engineers offer deals when you bundle inspections together.
Another aspect that influences the cost of a gas safety inspection is the location of your property. Landlords who reside in urban areas such as London will be required to pay more for a gas safety check than those who live in less affluent regions or remote areas.
Landlords should be aware that certain tenants may not be able to grant access for the check. This is usually due to a fear of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to track them. However, a carefully worded letter stating the reason for access should convince them to let you in.
If the tenant does not allow the inspection, the landlord is able to take action. This includes sending a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide if the notice is reasonable. The best way for the landlord do is contact the tenant to explain the reasons why a gas safety inspection is necessary.