Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances comply with the rules and regulations and are safe. Failure to adhere could result in fines and harm the safety 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 have to be inspected annually. But some landlords have difficulty to gain access to their properties and are forced to reduce their inspection time.
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 important to keep your gas safety certificates up to date. In the event of a failure to do this, it could result in a fine or even prosecution. It is also advisable to inspect your gas appliances, and show a valid certificate in every property.
The gas safety certificates contain information such as date of inspection, the address of the property inspected, details of each appliance with their current condition and the name and ID number of the engineer who conducted the inspection. It also lists appliances that are considered to be unsafe for use and provides suggestions for fixing the issue. The engineer will issue an "ID code" if they find any appliances that aren't appropriate for. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk but isn't immediately dangerous, it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants might not allow access to a safety check. This could cause issues 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 stating that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own safety. It's also an excellent idea to include access arrangements in the Tenancy agreement.
Landlords must also display a copy their gas safety certificate at every property. This will prevent tenants from moving into homes that have unsafe gas appliances and permit potential tenants to look up the history of safety checks. Furthermore, a gas safety certificate will help to build reputation as an honest and professional landlord, which can draw more tenants.
A Gas Safe Registered Engineer will not only ensure that your gas equipment is safe however, a service contract will also help you save money and time in the long run. Many gas companies offer discounts on annual Gas Safety Certificates. You should shop around to find the lowest price.
It's a good idea
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure the safety of any gas appliances that are in your property. Regular inspections conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the most effective way to spot and address any issues before they become more serious and potentially risky for tenants. Regular inspections can aid in keeping gas boilers, and other equipment in good condition which will allow them to last longer.
Landlords need to have a Gas Safety Certificate valid for every gas appliance they have in their home. These certificates are required by law, and landlords who don't have them face heavy fines or find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It's 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 conduct more frequent inspections particularly if your home 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 have been turned off while the property is unoccupied.
It is crucial to have an updated gas safety certificate when you are re-letting a property. This is so that you can transfer the keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required when tenants have taken away the old appliances or any work has been completed on the gas system.
Before conducting any inspections it's an excellent idea to talk to your tenant and ask them to grant you access to the property. If they are reluctant, you can send an unambiguously written letter stating why access is needed and what the gas safety inspection will involve. If they are still refusing then you can start the eviction process by sending them a section 21 notice.
Safety of your gas appliances is the top priority. You must carry an Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. You may lose your deposit and face legal action by the local council or Health and Safety Executive if you don't. 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 pain
Not everyone is happy about the landlord gas safety inspections. It's not just a legal requirement, however, it makes sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances that are inspected by professionals. If something goes wrong, this could lead to a gas-hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone who lives in or around the building.
Some tenants, however, refuse to allow these inspections. This is reasonable. They might think it's an infringement of their privacy, or they may suspect that the check might be some sort of ploy to monitor them or their habits. But landlords need to bear in their minds that they are legally obligated to carry out these inspections, and must only do it only if tenants permit them access to their property.
It can be frustrating for landlords to to deal with tenants who are unreliable, especially if they own multiple properties. It is crucial that landlords keep in mind that if their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they could be fined a lot and tenants might not be permitted to move into the house until the problem is resolved.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificates in the event that the property is ever repossessed. If the previous tenants do not have a copy of the certificate, they may not be able to prove the inspections were carried out correctly. It's worth having an evidence in case.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of conducting an inspection, they could be accused of trespassing by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you're a tenant, it's best to ask your landlord for a copy as soon as possible.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and give copies to tenants. Gas Safe offers them online at a quick and simple procedure. The certificate is not costly - depending on where you are and the number of appliances tested, it ranges between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
When you think about the costs of renting a property it is likely that you don't think about the cost of gas safety inspections. This is a legal requirement and should not be ignored. This will ensure that your tenants are protected and you can give an official certificate in the event that issues occur. It can also help you avoid costly repairs.
It's also important to remember that a landlord must keep their plumbing, appliances and flues in good shape. Regular maintenance can help prevent carbon monoxide, which is a serious health hazard. It is caused by malfunctioning gas boilers, cookers or fires. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odourless gas that can't be detected without specialized equipment. It is essential to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your 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. You can find a fair price by entering your postcode online and looking at estimates. It is also worth asking for discounts if you own multiple properties that must be checked. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
The location of your home is a further factor that may affect the cost of a safety check. gas safety certificate landlord mkgassafety who live in cities like London will likely be required to pay more than those in less affluent regions or in remote areas.
Landlords must be aware that some tenants might not allow access to the check. This is usually due to tenants' fear of intruding of their privacy or suspicion of spying. A carefully composed note describing the reasons behind getting access to their home should convince them.
If a tenant continues to refuse access to the property, the landlord may take action to enforce the inspection. This could include the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to communicate with the tenant and explain to them why it's essential to conduct a gas safety check.