Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances conform with the rules and regulations and are safe. Infractions could lead to fines and could compromise the security of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation for CORGI Form 12. It is also called a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is an obligation of law to have your gas pipework and appliances examined annually. Some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties and are forced into a shorter inspection cycle.
It's a legal requirement
If you're a property owner with one property or an investor with a portfolio of rental properties, it's crucial to keep your gas safety certificates current. A fine or even a prosecution could be the result of infractions. There are other practical advantages of having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certification displayed in every property.
A gas safety certification contains information like the date of inspection and the address of the property inspected, the details 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 appliances that are deemed unsafe for use' and suggests ways to fix the problem. The engineer will issue an "ID code" in the event of finding appliances that are not suitable. If an appliance is considered to be at risk but isn't immediately dangerous, it will receive a "AR" code.
Tenants can sometimes refuse access to 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 require landlords to take reasonable measures to comply. This means making multiple attempts to carry out the checks and then writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own safety. It's also an excellent idea to include arrangements for access in the tenancy agreement.
The landlords should also display a copy their gas safety certificate at every property. This will stop tenants from moving into homes that have gas appliances that are unsafe, and permit potential tenants to look up the history of safety inspections. A gas safety certificate can also help you build an image of a responsible landlord. This will draw more tenants.
A Gas Safe registered Engineer will not only ensure that your gas equipment is secure and safe, but a service agreement will also help you save money and time in the long run. For example, many gas companies offer a reduced price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea shop around and find the most affordable price for you.
It's a great idea
As a landlord it is your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances in your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to find and address issues before they become more dangerous and serious. Regular inspections will also assist in keeping gas boilers, and other equipment, in good working condition, allowing them to last for longer.
Landlords must possess an Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance in their home. These certificates are required by law and landlords who do not have them are subject to heavy fines or find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It's a breeze to get a Gas Safety Certificate for your home by hiring a qualified engineer and making an appointment.
A gas inspection every year is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it is advisable to have more frequent check-ups, especially if your property has been left empty for an extended period of time. This is due to the fact that appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply could be shut off when the property is unoccupied.
It's essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report when re-letting the property. This is to ensure that you can transfer keys to your new tenants. A re-inspection is also necessary if the old appliances have been taken by tenants or work has been carried out on the gas system since your last inspection.
Before you conduct any inspection, it's recommended to talk to your tenant and ask them to grant you access to the property. If they are reluctant to give access, you can write them a clearly written letter explaining why access is needed and what the gas safety inspection will involve. If they continue to refuse, you can start the process of eviction with an official notice under section 21.
When it is about gas safety, your primary responsibility is to ensure that you have a Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. If you don't have one, you risk losing your deposit to rent and possibly facing legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's a good idea to have annual inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to current.
It's a hassle
Not everyone is happy about the landlord gas safety inspections. It's not only a legal requirement, however, it makes sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances which have been checked by professionals. In the event that something goes wrong it could cause a catastrophic gas-hazard incident which is a disaster for anyone who is within or around the property.
But some tenants refuse to permit access to these inspections, which is understandable. They might think that it is a violation of their privacy, or they may suspect that the inspection could be some sort of ploy to monitor them or their lifestyles. 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.
The hassle of dealing with recalcitrant tenants can be frustrating especially for landlords who own multiple properties. It's important that landlords remember that when their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they may be fined a lot and tenants might not be allowed to move into the property until the issue is resolved.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you have to ever repossess the property. They may not be able to prove that they had carried out the proper inspections if previous tenants didn't keep the certificate therefore it's worthwhile to keep a record just in case.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of conducting an inspection, they can be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you're a tenant, it's recommended to get one from your landlord immediately.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and provide copies to tenants. Gas Safe offers them online with a simple and quick process. The cost isn't expensive either - it costs just PS50-PS90 for the certificate dependent on where you live and the number of gas appliances examined.
It's affordable
You may not think of gas safety checks when you consider the cost of renting a house. This is a legal requirement that must not be overlooked. This will ensure that your tenants are protected and you can give an appropriate certificate should problems arise. Plus, it can save you from expensive repairs in the future.
Remember that landlords must also maintain their plumbing, appliances and flues clean. Regular maintenance can help prevent carbon monoxide, a serious health risk. This can be caused by faulty fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and tasteless gas, cannot be detected without the use of specialized equipment. It is essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in every home and regularly check them, as well as checking gas appliances.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety check may vary slightly depending on the engineer. You can find a good price by entering your postcode online and comparing quotes. find more to inquire about discounts if you have several 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 reside in areas with high-end amenities like London will be required to pay more for a gas safety inspection than those who reside in less affluent regions or remote areas.
Landlords must be aware that certain tenants may not be able to grant access to the check. This is typically due to the fear of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a ploy to monitor them. A carefully worded note explaining your reasons for getting access to their home should convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant continues to refuse access to the property, the landlord may take action to make the inspection mandatory. This could include a Section 21 notice, but the court will decide if this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to communicate with the tenant to explain why it's essential to conduct an inspection of gas safety.