Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances conform with the rules and regulations and are safe. Infractions could result in fines and compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation form of CORGI Proforma 12. It is also known as a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is a legal requirement to have your gas pipes as well as appliances and flues examined every year. Some landlords are unable to gain access to their property, and are forced into an inspection that is shorter.
It's a requirement by law
If you're a property owner with one property or several rental properties, it's essential to keep your gas safety certificates up to date. In the event of a failure to do this, it could result in a fine or prosecution. There are other advantages for having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certification displayed in each property.
The gas safety certificates contain details such as the date of inspection, the address of the property inspected, details of each appliance with their current status and the ID number and name of the engineer who conducted the inspection. It also identifies any appliances which are considered 'unsafe to use' and offers suggestions on ways to eliminate the issue. The engineer will issue an "ID code" if they find any appliances that aren't appropriate for. If an appliance is considered to be at risk but isn't immediately dangerous the appliance will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can refuse access to a safety check. This can cause problems in the relationship between tenants and landlords. However, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This means making multiple attempts to perform the checks and then writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement for their own safety. It's also recommended 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 prevent tenants from moving into properties with unsafe gas appliances, and allow potential future tenants to see the record of safety inspections. A gas safety certificate will also help you establish credibility as a responsible landlord. This will draw more tenants.
As well as ensuring that Read Home is safe, signing an annual service contract with an Gas Safe registered Engineer will save your time and money in the long in the long. For instance, many gas companies offer a discount cost for annual Gas Safety Certificates. You should shop for the most affordable price.
It's a great idea.
As a landlord it is your duty to ensure that the gas appliances in your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to find and fix problems before they become dangerous and more serious. Regular inspections can also assist in keeping gas boilers, and other equipment, in good working order and allow them to last for longer.
Landlords are legally required to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances that are installed 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 easy to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and making an appointment.
A yearly gas check is the minimum required under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it is advisable to have more frequent check-ups particularly if your home was left empty for an extended period of time. This is because appliances could be tampered with or the gas supply may have been turned off while the property is unoccupied.
When you decide to let your property, it's essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report before you can hand over the keys to new tenants. Read Home -inspections are also required if tenants have removed the old appliances or if any work was done on the gas system.
It's a great idea ask your tenant to allow you access to their property before any inspection. If they're hesitant you can mail them a strongly worded letter that explains the reason for access and what the gas safety inspection will involve. If they do not agree to allow access, you can start the eviction process by sending them the section-21 notice.
When it is about gas safety, your most important obligation 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 tenancy deposit and could be subject to legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. It's a good idea, to prevent this from happening, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual check by a Gas Safe engineer.
It's a pain
Not everyone is happy about the landlord gas safety inspections. It's not only a legal requirement but it's also good sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances which are inspected by professionals. If something goes wrong it could result in a catastrophic gas-hazard incident which is a disaster for anyone living within or around the property.
However, some tenants are unwilling to allow access for these inspections This is quite understandable. Some tenants might feel it is an invasion of their privacy or think that the inspection is an attempt to spy on or track them. But landlords need to bear in their minds that they are legally bound to carry out these inspections, and can only do this if the tenants grant them access to their property.
It can be a hassle for landlords to to manage tenants who are unreliable especially if they have multiple properties. However, it's important for landlords to be aware that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certification, they risk hefty fines and the tenants could not be permitted to move in until the issue is resolved.
It's also a good idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificates in case the property is ever repossessed. They may not be able prove they've carried out the correct inspections if previous tenants haven't kept a copy therefore it's worthwhile to keep the certificate in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can be a prosecutor for landlords who don't give their tenants an official copy of the certificate of gas safety within a period of 28 days following an inspection. So if you're a tenant, it's best to ask your landlord for a copy as soon as possible.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and share copies with their tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is fast and easy. The certificate is not expensive dependent on where you live and the number of appliances examined, it will cost between PS50 and PS90.
It's not expensive
You may not think of gas security checks when you think about the cost of renting a property. This is a legal requirement that shouldn't be ignored. This ensures that your tenants are safe and you can give a valid certificate if any problems arise. It also helps you to avoid future costly repairs.
It's also important to remember that a landlord must maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance will help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which poses a serious health danger. It is caused by malfunctioning gas boilers, cookers, and fires. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas, tasteless and odourless that can't be detected without the use of specialist equipment. It is essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in every home and regularly check them and also check the condition of gas appliances.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety test may vary slightly depending on the specialist. However, it is possible to find a reasonable price online by entering your postcode and comparing quotes. Consider discounts if you are several properties to be inspected. Some engineers offer deals 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 are likely to pay more than those living in remote or less wealthy areas.
Landlords should be aware that certain tenants might not allow access to the check. This is usually due to a fear of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a ploy to monitor them. A carefully composed note describing the reasons behind getting access to their home will convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant continues to refuse access to the property, the landlord may decide to enforce the inspection. This includes sending a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide if it is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to talk with the tenant to explain why it's necessary to carry out an inspection of gas safety.