Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must make sure the gas appliances are safe and comply with the regulations. Failure to comply could lead to fines and could compromise the security of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation for CORGI Proforma 12. It is also known as a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is a legal requirement to have your gas pipework and appliances examined each year. But some landlords have difficulty to gain access to their properties and are forced to cut their inspection cycle.
It's a legal requirement
If you're a landlord who has one property or a portfolio of rental properties, it's essential to keep your gas safety certificates current. A penalty or even a fine could be the result of failing to comply. There are also some practical advantages of having your gas appliances examined and a valid certificate posted at every location.
A gas safety certificate includes information such as the date of inspection the address of the building that was inspected, the information of each appliance checked with their current status, as well as the name and number of the engineer who conducted the survey. It also identifies any appliances which are considered 'unsafe for use' and suggests how to remove the fault. The engineer will issue an "ID code" when they discover appliances that aren't suitable for. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk, but isn't immediately hazardous, it will receive a "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse access for a gas safety check, and this is where the relationship between landlord and tenant could start to become problematic. 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 notifying tenants that this is required to ensure their security. It's a good idea also to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords should be sure to display a copy gas safety certificate at each property. This can help keep tenants from settling in a home that has gas appliances that are unsafe and can also permit potential tenants to review the results of the safety inspections. A gas safety certificate can also help you build an image of a responsible landlord. This will draw more tenants.
In addition to ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, having an annual service contract with an Gas Safe registered Engineer will save your time and money in the long term. Many gas companies offer discounted prices on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is important to shop around to find the lowest price.
It's a great 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 find and address issues before they become dangerous and more serious. Regular inspections also help keep gas boilers, as well other equipment, in good condition which will allow them to last longer.
Landlords need to have a Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance in their home. Without these certificates, landlords are at risk of massive fines and may discover that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. It's easy to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and setting up an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a once-a-year gas inspection. However, it is advisable to conduct more frequent inspections when you've left your property empty for a prolonged period. This is because appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply may have been turned off while the property was not being used.
If you are considering letting your home, it is essential to have a current gas safety certificate before you can hand over the keys to new tenants. It is also essential to conduct a re-inspection in the event that the old appliances were taken by the tenants or any work has been carried out on the gas system since your last inspection.
It's a great idea to request your tenant to give you access to their property prior to any inspection. If they do not agree to allow access, you can send them an explanation in a letter of the reason for access and what will be included during the gas safety inspection. If they continue to refuse, 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 a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. You could lose your deposit and face legal action from 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 have an annual check by a Gas Safe engineer.
It's a pain
When it concerns gas safety for landlords inspections there are a lot of people who are not happy with the situation. It is not only a legal requirement but it is also a good idea ensure that tenants use appliances that have been inspected by experts. After all, if something goes wrong it could cause an extremely dangerous gas-related accident that would be very bad news for anyone who lives within or around the property.
But some tenants refuse to allow access for these inspections, which is quite understandable. They might feel it's a violation of their privacy or believe that the check is some sort of ploy to monitor them or their lifestyles. Landlords need to remember that they have a legal obligation to conduct these inspections, and only do this if tenants allow them access to their properties.
Being faced with angry tenants can be stressful especially for landlords who own multiple properties. It's also important for landlords to be aware that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certificate they could face hefty fines and the tenants could not be permitted to move in until the issue is addressed.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you have to ever repossess the property. If the previous tenants don't have a copy of the certificate, they may not be able to prove the inspections were conducted correctly. It's worth keeping an archive in case of need.
The Health and Safety Executive can be a prosecutor for landlords who don't give their tenants a copy of the certificate of gas safety within 28 days of an inspection. If you are a tenant, then you should request a copy of the gas safety certificate from your landlord as soon as you can.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates up to current and to share copies with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online at a quick and simple process. The certificate is not expensive dependent on where you are and how many appliances are checked, it costs between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
When you think about the costs of renting out a property you may not think about the cost of gas safety inspections. However, how long does gas safety certificate last is a legal requirement that should not be ignored. This will ensure that your tenants are safe and you can give an official certificate in the event that issues occur. Additionally, it will aid in avoiding expensive repairs in the future.
Be aware that landlords must keep their appliances, pipework and flues clean. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which is serious health risk. It can be caused by defective gas boilers, cookers and fires. Carbon monoxide, a colourless and tasteless gas, cannot be detected without the use of specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every house and regularly checked. Gas appliances must also be checked regularly.
The cost of the gas safety checks for landlords can vary slightly from engineer to engineer. You can find a fair price by entering your postcode online and looking at estimates. Ask about discounts if there are multiple properties to be examined. Some engineers offer discounts when you bundle inspections.
The location of your home is another factor that could affect the cost of a safety inspection. Landlords who reside in metropolitan areas like London will be required to pay more for a gas safety test than those who live in less affluent regions or remote regions.
Landlords must also be aware that tenants might not allow access to conduct a verification. This is often due to tenants' fear of intruding of their privacy or suspicion of spying. However, a carefully written letter explaining the reasons for access should convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the inspection, the landlord can take action. This can include sending a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide if it is reasonable. The best thing for the landlord to do is contact the tenant to explain why a gas safety check is required.