Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must make sure the gas appliances are safe and comply with the rules. Infractions could result in penalties and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for CORGI Form 12. Also called top article , or Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is an obligation of law to have your gas pipework, appliances and flues tested annually. But some landlords struggle to gain access to their properties and are forced to reduce their inspections.
It's a requirement by law
It is essential to keep your gas safety certificate up-to-date, whether you are a landlord with a single property or a rental portfolio. A fine or even a prosecution could be the result of failing to comply. There are other practical advantages for having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certificate posted in each property.
The gas safety certificate contains details such as the date of inspection, address of property inspected, details of each appliance along with their current condition and the name and ID number of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also identifies appliances that are considered to be unsafe for use and provides suggestions for how to fix the problem. The engineer will issue an "ID code" when they discover appliances that aren't suitable for. If an appliance is considered to be at risk, but isn't immediately hazardous, it will receive a "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse to allow access to a safety check. This could cause issues in the relationship between landlords and tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 oblige landlords to take all reasonable steps to be in compliance. This means making multiple attempts to perform the checks and then writing to the tenant stating that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own safety. It's also a good idea to include access arrangements in the Tenancy agreement.
Landlords must also ensure that they display a copy gas safety certificate in each property. This will help to keep tenants from settling in a home with gas appliances that are unsafe. It also allows potential future tenants to look over the records of the safety inspections. A gas safety certificate can also help you build an image of an honest landlord. This will help you attract more tenants.
As well as ensuring 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 run. For example, many gas companies offer a discount price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. You should shop for the most affordable price.
It's a great idea
As an owner, it is your obligation to ensure the safety of any gas appliances in your property. Regular inspections by a certified Gas Safe engineer are the best way to identify and correct any issues before they become more serious and risky for tenants. Regular inspections also help keep gas boilers, as well as other equipment in good working order, allowing them to last for longer.
Landlords are legally required to possess a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances in their homes. These certificates are required by law and landlords who do not possess them face massive fines or may find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It's easy to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and scheduling an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a once-a-year gas inspection. However it is recommended to conduct more frequent checks if you have been away from your property for a long period of time. This is because appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply could have been shut off while the property was not being used.
It is essential to have an updated gas safety report when re-letting an apartment. This is to ensure that you can transfer keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if the older appliances have been used by tenants or work has been done on the gas system since your last inspection.
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 don't agree then you can write an email explaining the reason for access and what will be included during the gas safety inspection. If they still refuse to allow access, you can begin the eviction process with an official notice under section 21.
When it comes to gas safety, your primary responsibility is to ensure that you have an Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. You may lose your deposit and be subject to legal action by the local council or Health and Safety Executive if you don't. To avoid this, it's an ideal idea to schedule annual inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to current.
It's a pain
Not everyone is happy about the gas safety inspections for landlords. It's not only a legal requirement, but it's also good sense to make sure tenants are using appliances which have been checked by professionals. If something goes wrong, this could result in a gas-hazard scenario that could be catastrophic for anyone who lives in or around the building.
Some tenants, however do not want to be inspected. This is quite understandable. Some tenants might feel it is an invasion of privacy or believe the check could be an attempt to snoop on or track them. Landlords must be aware that they are under a legal obligation to conduct these inspections and only do it in the event that tenants allow access to their homes.
The hassle of dealing with recalcitrant tenants can be stressful particularly for landlords who have multiple properties. It is crucial that landlords keep in mind that in the event that their gas safety certification is not obtained, they could be penalized with heavy fines, and tenants may not be permitted to move into the house until the problem is resolved.
It's also a good idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificates in case the property is ever taken. They may not be able prove they've conducted the proper inspections if previous tenants haven't kept copies, so it's worth keeping an archive in case of need.
The Health and Safety Executive can be a prosecutor for landlords who do not provide their tenants with a copy of the certificate of gas safety within 28 days of an inspection. If you're a tenant, it's best to request one from your landlord as soon as possible.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates up to date and share a copy with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online with a simple and quick process. The cost isn't too expensive either, as it costs only PS50-PS90 to get the certificate, dependent on where you live and the number of gas appliances tested.
It's not expensive
You probably don't think about gas security checks when you think about the costs of renting a property. However, this is an obligation that is legally required and should not be omitted. It will ensure that your tenants are protected and you are able to provide an official certificate in the event that any issues arise. Additionally, it will save you from costly repairs in the future.
It is also important to remember that a landlord must keep their pipework, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance will help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which is an extremely dangerous health risk. It can be caused by malfunctioning fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that isn't detectable without specialist equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every home and should be monitored regularly. Gas appliances also need to be checked regularly.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety test may vary slightly depending on the engineer. You can find a reasonable price by entering your postcode online and looking at estimates. You can inquire about discounts if there are several properties to be inspected. Some engineers offer deals when you combine inspections.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety test is the location of your property. Landlords who live in areas with high-end amenities like London will have to pay more for a gas safety test than those who live in less well-off regions or remote regions.
Landlords should be aware that certain tenants may refuse to allow access to the purpose of a check. This is usually due to the fear of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to monitor them. However, a carefully worded letter stating the reasons for access should convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant does not allow the inspection, the landlord can take actions. This includes giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to talk with the tenant and explain why it's necessary to carry out a gas safety check.