Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords need to ensure that all gas appliances are safe and comply with regulations. In the absence of this, it could result in fines and compromise tenant safety.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for CORGI Form 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 as well as appliances and flues checked every year. Some landlords have difficulty gaining access to their property, and are forced into an inspection that is shorter.
It's a requirement by law
It is essential to keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date regardless of whether you're a landlord who has a single property or a rental portfolio. A penalty or even a fine could be the result of infractions. There are other advantages for having your gas appliances examined and a valid certification displayed at every location.
The gas safety certificate includes details like the date of inspection, address of property inspected, details of each appliance with their current status as well as the name and ID number of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also identifies appliances considered to be unsafe for use and offers suggestions on how to fix the fault. The engineer will issue an "ID code" if they find any appliances that aren't suitable for. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger, but isn't immediately hazardous, it will receive a "AR" code.
Tenants might not allow access to a safety check. This could cause issues in the relationship between landlords and tenants. However landlords must take every reasonable step to ensure compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes making multiple attempts to perform the checks and inform tenants that this is a requirement to ensure their security. It's also recommended to include access arrangements in the lease agreement.
The landlords should also display a copy of their gas safety certificate at each property. This will stop tenants from moving into homes with unsafe gas appliances, and will allow prospective tenants to look up the history of safety inspections. A gas safety certificate will also help you establish credibility as an honest landlord. This will draw more tenants.
As well as ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with an Gas Safe registered Engineer can save you time and money in the long term. For instance, a lot of gas companies offer a discounted price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea to shop around to find the best price for you.
It's a good idea
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances on your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to identify and address issues before they become more dangerous and serious. Additionally regular inspections are a great way to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good condition, so they're more likely to last for longer.
Landlords are legally required to have an active Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances that are installed in their homes. These certificates are required by law, and landlords who do not have them risk massive fines or may find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. Fortunately, it's easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate for your property by hiring a qualified engineer and scheduling an appointment.
A gas inspection every year is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's recommended to have more frequent check-ups especially if your property has been left empty for a prolonged 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 is essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report before letting the property. This is so that you can hand over the keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required when tenants have taken away the old appliances or any work was done on the gas system.
Before conducting any inspections it's a good idea to speak to your tenant and ask them to grant access to the property. If they do not agree then you can write a letter explaining the reason behind access and what's included in the gas safety check. If they refuse to comply, you can initiate the eviction process by sending them an official notice under section 21.
Gas safety is your top priority. You must have a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. If gas safe installation certificate don't have one, you risk losing your deposit for tenancy and potentially face legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's an ideal idea to schedule annual inspections performed by a certified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to current.
It's a hassle
Some aren't happy with the gas safety inspections for landlords. It is not only an official requirement, but it is also a good idea make sure that tenants use appliances that have been checked 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 will not permit access to these inspections, which is understandable. Some tenants may feel that it's an invasion of their privacy or think that the inspection could be an attempt to snoop on or track them. But landlords should keep in mind that they are legally obligated to carry out the inspections and are only able to do so when tenants allow them access to their property.
The hassle of dealing with recalcitrant tenants can be stressful especially for landlords who own multiple properties. It's crucial for landlords to remember that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certificate, they risk hefty fines and the tenants could not be permitted to move in until the problem is addressed.
It's also a good idea for landlords to keep copies of the gas safety certificate in case the property is ever repossessed. They may not be able to prove they had carried out the correct inspections if the previous tenants didn't keep copies and it's a good idea to keep the certificate in case.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy 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 it is recommended to request a copy of the gas safety certificate from your landlord immediately.
Landlords should 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 depending on where you are and the number of appliances checked, it costs between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
You may not think of gas safety checks when you are considering the costs of renting a home. But this is an obligation that is legally required and should not be ignored. This will ensure that your tenants are protected, and you can provide an appropriate certificate should problems arise. Plus, it can save you from expensive repairs in the future.
It's also important to remember that landlords must keep their plumbing, appliances and flues in good shape. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which is serious health danger. It can be caused by faulty gas boilers, cookers, and fires. Carbon monoxide, a colourless and tasteless gas, is unable to be detected without specialized equipment. It's essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in every home and to check them frequently as well as examining gas appliances.
The cost of a gas safety check for landlords will vary from engineer to engineer. However, you'll usually find a competitive price online by entering your postcode and comparing quotes. Consider discounts if you are multiple properties to be checked. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety check is the location of your property. Landlords living in metropolitan areas such as London will likely have to pay more than those in less affluent regions or in remote areas.
Landlords must also be aware that some tenants may refuse to allow access to the purpose of a check. This is often due to tenants' fear of intruding of their privacy or suspicion of snooping. A carefully worded note explaining the reasons behind gaining access to their home should convince them.
If a tenant continues to refuse access, the landlord is able to decide to force the tenant to comply with the inspection. This includes giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The most effective way for the landlord do is contact the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is required.