Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must ensure that all gas appliances are safe and comply with the regulations. Infractions could result in fines and may compromise the safety 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 an obligation of law to have your gas pipework as well as appliances and flues tested every year. However, some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties and are forced to cut their inspection cycle.
It's a requirement by law
It is essential to keep your gas safety certificate current, whether you are a landlord with one property or a portfolio of rental properties. A fine or even a prosecution could result from failing to comply. There are other practical advantages for having your gas appliances examined and a valid certification displayed in each property.
The gas safety certificate contains information such as date of inspection, address of property that was inspected, the details of every appliance, their current status and the ID number and name of the engineer that conducted the survey. It also lists any appliances that are deemed to be unsafe for use' and suggests how to remove the fault. The engineer will issue an "ID code" if they find any appliances that are not suitable. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger, but isn't immediately dangerous, it will receive a "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse to allow access to a safety check. This could cause issues in the relationship between tenants and landlords. However, landlords must make every effort to be in compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes attempting multiple times to perform the checks, and informing the tenant that this is required to ensure their security. It's also a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords should also display a copy of their gas safety certificates at each property. This can help keep tenants from moving into a property with unsafe gas appliances and also allows potential future tenants to look over the records of the safety inspections. Additionally, landlord gas safety certificate cp12 will help you establish a reputation for being a responsible and professional landlord, which could bring in more tenants.
A Gas Safe Registered Engineer will not only ensure that your gas equipment is safe, but a service contract will also help you save money and time in the long run. For instance, a lot of gas companies offer a discounted cost for annual Gas Safety Certificates. You should shop for the best price.
It's a good idea
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances that are located on your property are safe. Regular inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the most effective way to spot and correct any issues before they become more serious and potentially risky for tenants. Regular inspections can also help keep gas boilers, and other equipment, in good working condition which will allow them to last longer.
Landlords need to have a Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance within their home. These certificates are required by law, and landlords who do not possess them risk huge fines or finding their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It's not difficult to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate for your home by hiring a qualified engineer and arranging for an appointment.
A gas inspection every year is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it is advisable to conduct more frequent inspections especially if your property has been left empty for an extended period of time. Gas safety regulations require a yearly gas check, but it's a good idea to have more frequent checks, especially if your property has been empty for a prolonged period.
If you are considering letting your property, it's essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report before you can hand over the keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have taken away the old appliances or any work was done on the gas system.
Before you conduct any inspection it is a good idea to speak to your tenant and ask them to give access to the property. If they do not agree then you can write an explanation in a letter of the reason behind access and what's included in the gas safety check. If they refuse to allow access, you can start the eviction procedure with an official notice under section 21.
Gas safety is your number one priority. You must have a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. You could lose your deposit and face legal action by the local council or Health and Safety Executive if you do not. 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 pain
Not everyone is happy about the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It's not only a legal requirement but it's also good sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances which have been checked by professionals. In the event that something goes wrong it could cause an incredibly dangerous gas-related incident that would be very bad news for anyone who lives within or around the property.
Some tenants, however do not want to be inspected. This is understandable. They might feel it's a violation of their privacy, or they may suspect that the check might be an attempt to monitor them or their lifestyles. But landlords need to bear in their minds that they are legally obliged to carry out these inspections, and are only able to do so if the tenants grant them access to their property.
It can be frustrating for landlords to to deal with tenants who are recalcitrant especially if they have multiple properties. It is important for landlords to remember that when their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they could be penalized with heavy fines and tenants may not be permitted to move into the house until the issue is resolved.
It's also a good idea for landlords to keep copies of the gas safety certificate in the event that the property is ever taken. They might not be able to prove that they've carried out the correct inspections if the previous tenants haven't kept the certificate, so it's worth keeping a record just in case.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of conducting an inspection, they may be accused of trespassing by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you are a tenant, it is recommended to get your landlord's permission immediately.
Landlords need to keep their Gas Safe certificates up to current and to share copies with their tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is quick and simple. The price isn't too costly either, as it costs only PS50-PS90 for the certificate, depending on where you live and how many gas appliances are examined.
It's affordable
When you think about the cost of renting out a property you may not think about the cost of gas safety inspections. Yet this is an obligation that is legally required and should not be ignored. It will ensure that your tenants are safe and you can provide an authentic certificate should any problems arise. It can also help you to avoid future costly repairs.
It's also important to keep in mind that landlords are required to keep their plumbing, appliances and flues in good shape. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide which is a major health risk. It can be caused by malfunctioning gas cookers, fires and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that isn't detectable without specialist equipment. It is essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in every property and check them regularly as well as examining gas appliances.
The cost of the gas safety inspection for landlords can vary a bit depending on the technician. However, you'll usually find a good price online by entering your postcode and then comparing quotes. It is also worth asking about discounts if there are multiple properties that must be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts when you bundle inspections.
The location of your home is another factor that can influence the cost of a security check. Landlords who reside in areas with high-end amenities like London will be required to pay more for a gas safety check than those who reside in less affluent or in remote regions.
Landlords should be aware that certain tenants may refuse to allow access for the check. This is typically due to the fear of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a plot to spy on them. However, a carefully written letter stating the reason to gain access will convince them to let you in.
If the tenant continues to deny access, the landlord can decide to enforce the inspection. This includes giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The most effective thing for the landlord to do is to communicate with the tenant to explain the reasons why a gas safety inspection is necessary.