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. In the absence of this, it could result in fines and compromise tenant safety.
CP12 is an abbreviation of CORGI Proforma 12. It is also known as a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is an obligation of law to have your gas pipework and appliances tested annually. Some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties and are compelled to take on a shorter inspection period.
It's an official requirement
If you're a landlord who has one property or an investor with a portfolio of rental properties, it's essential to keep your gas safety certificates current. A fine or even a criminal prosecution could be the result of not complying. It is also advisable to have your gas appliances inspected, and display a valid certificate in every property.
A gas safety certificate includes information such as the date of inspection and the address of the house which was inspected, the specifics of each appliance that was inspected with their current status, as well as the name and identification number of the engineer who carried out 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 unsuitable appliances, they'll issue an "ID" code. If a device is found to be in danger, but not immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can sometimes refuse access to a gas security check and this is when the relationship between landlord and tenant can begin to get strained. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 oblige landlords to take all reasonable measures to ensure compliance. This includes repeatedly trying to perform the checks and notifying tenants that this is required to ensure their security. It's also a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords must also ensure that they have a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will prevent tenants from moving into properties that have gas appliances that are unsafe, and will allow prospective tenants to view the records of safety checks. Furthermore, a gas safety certificate will help to build a reputation for being an honest 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 term. Many gas companies offer discounts on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is a good idea to look around and find the best deal for you.
It's a great idea
As a landlord, it's your obligation to ensure the safety of all gas appliances you have in your home. Regular inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the best way to find and fix any problems before they become more serious and dangerous for tenants. In addition, regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good condition and therefore, they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords are legally required to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances in their homes. These certificates are required by law, and landlords who don't have them risk massive fines or may find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It's simple to get a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and setting up an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a annual gas inspection. However it is recommended to conduct more frequent checks if you have abandoned your home for a long period of time. This is because appliances can be altered or the gas supply may be shut off when the property was not being used.
When it comes to re-letting your property, it's essential to have a current gas safety report before you can hand keys to the new tenants. A re-inspection is also necessary if the old appliances were taken by tenants or if any work has been completed on the gas system since your last inspection.
Before you conduct any inspection it's a good idea to speak to your tenant and ask them to allow you access to the property. If they're not willing to give access, you can write them a clearly written letter that explains the reasons for mkgassafety.Co.Uk access and what the gas safety inspections will entail. If they still refuse to allow access, you can begin the eviction process by sending them a section 21 notice.
Gas safety is your top priority. You must carry an Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. You could lose your tenancy deposit and face legal action from the 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 inspection by a Gas Safe engineer.
It's a hassle
Some aren't happy with the landlord gas safety inspections. It's not just an obligation under the law, but it is it is also a good idea make sure that tenants use appliances that have been checked by professionals. In the event that something goes wrong it could cause a catastrophic gas-hazard incident which could be a nightmare for anyone who lives in or around the property.
Some tenants will not permit access to these inspections It's reasonable. Some tenants may feel that it's an invasion of privacy, or believe the check could be an attempt to snoop on or track them. But landlords need to bear in mind that they are legally bound to conduct these inspections, and must only do it when tenants allow them access to their property.
Having to deal with recalcitrant tenants can be stressful especially for landlords who own multiple properties. It is important for landlords to remember that when their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they could face heavy fines and tenants may not be allowed to move into the property until the problem is resolved.
It's also a good idea for landlords to keep copies of the gas safety certificate in case the property is ever taken. If the previous tenants don't have a copy the certificate, they may not be able prove that the inspections were conducted correctly. It's worth having an evidence in case.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of carrying out an inspection, they may be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you are a tenant then it is best to ask your landlord for one as soon as you can.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and share copies with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online with a simple and quick procedure. The cost isn't too expensive either - it's just PS50-PS90 for the certificate, dependent on where you live and the number of gas appliances checked.
It's affordable
When you think about the costs of renting out a property, you probably don't consider the cost of gas safety checks. This is a legal requirement that shouldn't be ignored. This will ensure that your tenants are secure and you can give a valid certificate if any problems occur. It also helps you to avoid future costly repairs.
Remember that landlords must also keep their appliances, pipework and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which is a serious health danger. This can be caused by malfunctioning gas cookers, fires, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that isn't detectable without specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every property and regularly checked. Gas appliances also need to be checked.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety check may vary slightly depending on the engineer. However, it is possible to find a good price online by entering your postcode and comparing prices. It's also worth asking about discounts if there are multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts if you bundle inspections together.
Another aspect that influences the cost of a gas safety test is the location of your house. Landlords who reside in metropolitan areas like London will have to pay more for a gas safety test than those who reside in less affluent regions or remote regions.
Landlords should also be aware that tenants might refuse to let access to conduct a security check. This is usually due a fear of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to spy on them. A carefully composed note describing the reasons behind getting access to their home should convince them.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the inspection, the landlord may take action. This includes giving 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 and explain why it's necessary to carry out an inspection of gas safety.