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 comply could result in fines and compromise the security of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation of CORGI Form 12. It is also known as a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
Gas pipework, appliances and flues must be tested annually. But some landlords have difficulty to gain access to their properties and are forced to cut their inspection cycle.
It's a legal requirement
It is crucial to keep your gas safety certificate current regardless of whether you're a landlord who has one property or a portfolio of rental properties. Inability to do so could result in a fine or even prosecution. It is also important to get your gas appliances checked and to show a valid certificate in every property.
The gas safety certificates contain information such as date of inspection, address of property that was inspected, the details of each appliance along with their current status and the ID number and name of the engineer who conducted the survey. It also identifies appliances that are deemed to be unsafe to use' and provides 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 in danger, but isn't immediately dangerous, it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can sometimes refuse access to a gas safety check, and this is where the relationship between landlord and tenant can be strained. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 oblige landlords to take all reasonable steps to be in compliance. This includes repeatedly trying to perform the checks and inform tenants that this is a requirement to ensure their security. It's also an excellent idea to include access arrangements in the lease agreement.
Landlords should also ensure that they have a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will prevent tenants from moving into homes that have unsafe gas appliances and will allow prospective tenants to look up the history of safety inspections. Furthermore the gas safety certificate can help build reputation as a responsible and professional landlord, which can draw more tenants.
As well as ensuring your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with a Gas Safe Registered Engineer can 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 to shop around to find the best deal for you.
It's a good idea.
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that the gas appliances in your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to detect and fix problems before they become dangerous and more serious. Additionally regular inspections are a great way to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good working order and therefore, they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords are required by law to have an active Gas Safety Certificate for each gas appliance in their properties. Without these certificates, landlords are at risk of hefty fines and may find that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. It's easy to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and making an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a once-a-year gas inspection. However, it is advisable to conduct more frequent inspections if you have abandoned your home for a long time. Gas safety regulations require a regular gas check, however it's a good idea to conduct more frequent inspections, particularly if your property has been empty for a prolonged period.
When it comes to re-letting your property, it's important to have a current gas safety certificate prior to handing keys to new tenants. A re-inspection is also necessary when the older appliances have been used by tenants or work has been done on the gas system since your last inspection.
Before any inspection it's an excellent idea to talk to your tenant and ask them to grant you access to the property. If they do not agree to allow access, you can send them an email explaining the reason for access and the steps included in the gas safety check. If they still refuse then you can start the eviction process with a section 21 notice.
When it comes to gas safety, your main responsibility is to ensure 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 to rent and possibly facing legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. It's a good idea, to avoid this, to get your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to undergo an annual inspection by a Gas Safe engineer.
It's a hassle
Some people are not happy with the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It's not just a legal requirement, but it's also good sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances which are inspected by professionals. After all, if something goes wrong it could result in an extremely dangerous gas-related accident that could be a nightmare for anyone living within or around the property.
Some tenants, however aren't willing to permit these inspections. This is understandable. They might feel it's an infringement of their privacy or suspect that the inspection could be an attempt to observe them or their lifestyles. But landlords should keep in their minds that they are legally bound to carry out the inspections and are only able to do so if the tenants grant them access to their property.
Having to deal with recalcitrant tenants can be stressful, especially for landlords who own multiple properties. However, it's important for landlords to be aware that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certificate and are fined, they'll face heavy penalties and the tenants might not be allowed to move in until the issue is resolved.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in the event that you ever need to take possession of the property. If the previous tenants do not have a copy of the certificate, they may not be able to prove the inspections were done correctly. It's worth having an archive in case of need.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they do not 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 as soon as you can.
Landlords must 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 process. The certificate isn't expensive depending on where you're located and the number of appliances checked, it costs between PS50 and PS90.
It's not expensive
When you think about the expenses of renting a property, you probably don't consider the cost of gas safety checks. This is a legal requirement that must not be overlooked. This will ensure that your tenants are secure, and you can provide an official certificate in the event that issues arise. It also helps you avoid expensive repairs.
Remember that landlords must also keep their appliances, pipework and flues clean. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide, which is a serious health hazard. It can be caused by faulty gas boilers, cookers, and fires. Carbon monoxide, a colorless and tasteless gas, cannot be detected without the use of specialized equipment. It is crucial to install carbon monoxide detectors in each home and regularly check them and also check the condition of gas appliances.
The cost of a landlord gas safety check can vary slightly from engineer to engineer. You can find a fair price by entering your postcode online and looking at estimates. It's important to inquire about discounts if you have multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
The location of your property is a further factor that may influence the cost of a security inspection. Landlords who live in urban areas such as London will be required to pay more for a gas safety check than those who live in less well-off regions or in remote areas.
Landlords should be aware that certain tenants might not allow access for the purpose of a check. This is typically due to a fear of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a ploy to track them. A carefully composed note describing the reasons behind getting access to their home should convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant does not allow the inspection, the landlord may take action. This can include giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to speak with the tenant and explain to them why it's essential to conduct an inspection of gas safety.