Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances are in compliance with the rules and regulations and are safe. In the absence of this, it could lead to fines and may compromise the safety of tenants.
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 legally required to have your gas pipes, appliances and flues checked every year. But cp12 certificate struggle to gain access to their properties and are forced to reduce their inspections.
It's an obligation of the law
It is essential to keep your gas safety certificate up-to-date regardless of whether you're a landlord with a single property or a portfolio of rental properties. A fine or even a prosecution could be the result of failing to comply. There are other advantages to having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certification displayed in each property.
The gas safety certificate includes details such as the date of inspection, address of property which was inspected, information about each appliance along with their current status and the ID number and name of the engineer that conducted the survey. It also identifies appliances that are deemed to be unsafe to use' and provides suggestions on ways to eliminate the issue. The engineer will issue an "ID code" when they discover appliances that aren't suitable for. 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 where the relationship between landlord and tenant may be strained. However landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes making multiple attempts to perform the checks, and writing to the tenant explaining that this is a legal requirement for their own security. It's a good idea also to include access arrangements in the tenancy contract.
Landlords must also ensure that they have a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will stop tenants from moving into homes that have unsafe gas appliances and allow potential future tenants to look up the history of safety checks. Furthermore having a gas safety certification can help build reputation as a responsible and professional landlord, which can bring in more tenants.
As well as ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with a Gas Safe registered Engineer will save your time and money in the long run. For instance, a lot of gas companies offer a reduced price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. You should look for the lowest price.
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 detect and fix problems before they become more dangerous and serious. Additionally, regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good working order, so they're more likely to last for longer.
Landlords are required by law to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances that are installed in their properties. These certificates are required by law and landlords who do not have them risk huge fines or finding their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It's a breeze to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate for your property by contacting a certified engineer and arranging for 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 been away from your property for a long period of time. Gas safety regulations require a yearly gas inspection, but it's a good idea have more frequent inspections, especially if the property has been left empty for a long time.
It is essential to have an updated gas safety certificate when you are re-letting a property. This is so you can give keys to your new tenants. A re-inspection is also necessary in the event that the older appliances have been used by the tenants or any work has been completed on the gas system since the last inspection.
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 don't agree to allow access, you can send them a letter explaining the reason for access and what will be included in the gas safety inspection. If they still refuse to allow access, you can begin the process of eviction with a section 21 notice.
When it concerns gas safety, your main responsibility is to ensure that you have an Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. If you don't, you could risk losing your deposit to rent and could be subject to legal action from your local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's always recommended to schedule regular inspections conducted 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 gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It is not only an obligation under the law, but it is it is also a good idea ensure that tenants use appliances that have been tested by professionals. If something goes wrong, it could result in a gas hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone who lives in or around the building.
Some tenants will not allow access for these inspections This is understandable. They may think it's a violation of their privacy, or they may suspect that the check might be an attempt to monitor their activities or habits. Landlords need to keep in mind that they have a legal obligation to conduct these inspections and only do this when tenants permit access to their homes.
It can be frustrating for landlords to to deal with tenants who are unreliable particularly if they own multiple properties. However, it's important for landlords to keep in mind that if they don't obtain their gas safety certification and are fined, they'll face heavy penalties and tenants may not be allowed to move in until the problem has been dealt with.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in the event that you have to ever repossess the property. If the previous tenants don't have a copy of the certificate, they might not be able to prove the inspections were carried out correctly. It's worth having a record in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they do not provide their tenants with an official copy of the certificate of gas safety within 28 days of an inspection. So if you're a tenant, it's recommended to get one from your landlord as soon as you can.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates current and share copies with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online in a simple and fast procedure. The certificate is not expensive dependent 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 out a property you may not think about the cost of gas safety inspections. However, it is a legal requirement that must not be overlooked. It will ensure that your tenants are protected and you can provide an authentic certificate should any problems arise. It also helps you to avoid future costly repairs.
Be aware that landlords must maintain their plumbing, appliances and flues clean. Regular maintenance will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which is serious health danger. This can be caused by faulty fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odourless gas that isn't detectable without specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every property and should be monitored regularly. Gas appliances must also be inspected.
The cost of the gas safety inspection for landlords may vary slightly depending on the engineer. You can find a reasonable price by entering your postcode online and comparing estimates. Ask about discounts if there are several properties to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts if you bundle inspections.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety inspection is the location of your house. Landlords who reside in metropolitan areas like London will be required to pay more for a gas safety check than those who live in less affluent or remote areas.
Landlords should also be aware that some tenants might not allow access for the check. This is usually due to tenants' fear of being invaded of privacy or suspicion of snooping. But a well-written letter explaining the reasons to gain access will convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the inspection, the landlord is able to take action. This could include giving the tenant with a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide if or not this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to talk with the tenant to explain why it's essential to conduct an inspection of gas safety.