Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords must make sure the gas appliances are safe and in compliance with the rules. Failure to adhere could result in fines and harm the safety of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for CORGI Form 12. Also known as a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
Gas pipework, appliances, and flues have to be tested every year. Some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties and are compelled to take on a shorter inspection cycle.
It's a legal requirement
It's important that you keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date regardless of whether you're a landlord with a single property or a portfolio of rental properties. In the event of a failure to do this, it could result in a fine or prosecution. There are also some practical benefits to having your gas appliances examined and a valid certification displayed in each property.
The gas safety certificates contain information such as date of inspection, the address of the property that was inspected, the details of each appliance with their current status and the name and ID number of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also lists appliances that are considered unsafe to use and offers suggestions for fixing the problem. If an engineer discovers unsuitable appliances, they'll issue an "ID" code. If an appliance is deemed to be in danger, but isn't immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants might not allow access to a safety inspection. This could cause issues in the relationship between tenants and landlords. However landlords must take every reasonable step to ensure compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes repeatedly trying to conduct the checks and informing the tenant that this is required for their safety. It's also a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
Landlords should also display a copy their gas safety certificate at each property. This will prevent tenants from settling in a home that has gas appliances that are unsafe and will also allow potential tenants to view the record of the safety checks. In addition the gas safety certificate will help you establish reputation as an honest and professional landlord, which can 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 term. For landlord gas safety certificate cost , many gas companies offer a discounted cost for annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea look around and find the best price for you.
It's a good idea
As a landlord, it's your obligation to ensure the safety of all gas appliances that are in your property. Regular inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the most effective way to spot and address any issues before they become more serious and potentially dangerous for tenants. Regular inspections can also help keep gas boilers, as well as other equipment, in good condition, allowing them to last longer.
Landlords are legally required to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each gas appliance in their properties. Without these certificates, landlords could face huge fines and could discover that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. Fortunately, it's easy to get an Gas Safety Certificate for your home by hiring a qualified engineer and scheduling an appointment.
A yearly gas check is the minimum requirement in the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's a good idea to conduct more frequent inspections especially if your property has been empty for a long period of time. This is because appliances could be tampered with or the gas supply may have been shut off while the property was empty.
When you decide to let your property, it's important to have an up-to-date gas safety certificate before you can hand over the keys to the new tenants. A re-inspection is also necessary if the old appliances have been taken by tenants or work has been completed on the gas system since the last inspection.
Before any inspection, it's a good idea to speak to your tenant and ask them to allow access to the property. If they're hesitant, you can send an unambiguously written letter that explains the reasons for access and what the gas safety checks will entail. If they don't want to go through the process to comply, you can initiate the eviction process by sending them a section-21 notice.
Safety of your gas appliances is the top priority. You must have a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. You could lose your tenancy deposit and be subject to legal action from your local council or Health and Safety Executive if you don't. It's a good idea, to avoid this, to get your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual inspection by an Gas Safe engineer.
It's a pain
Some people are not happy with the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It's not just a legal requirement but also a good idea to ensure that tenants are using appliances that have been checked by a professional. After all, if something goes wrong it could cause an extremely dangerous gas-related accident that would be very bad news for anyone who lives within or around the property.
But some tenants refuse to permit access to these inspections, which is reasonable. Some tenants might feel it is an invasion of privacy or think that the inspection could be an attempt to snoop on or monitor them. Landlords should remember that they have an obligation under law to conduct these inspections, and can only do so when tenants permit access to their homes.
It can be difficult for landlords to to manage tenants who are resistant, especially if they own multiple properties. It is important for landlords to remember that when their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they may be fined a lot and tenants may not be permitted to move into the property until the problem is solved.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificates in case the property is ever repossessed. If the previous tenants don't have a copy of the certificate, they may not be able to prove the inspections were done correctly. It's worth having a record in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they don't give their tenants a copy of the certificate of gas safety within 28 days after an inspection. If you're a tenant, it's best to ask your landlord for a copy as soon as possible.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates up to date and share a copy with their tenants. They can be purchased through Gas Safe online, and the process is quick and easy. The certificate isn't expensive - depending on where you live and the number of appliances tested, it ranges between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
You may not think of gas safety checks when you are considering the cost of renting a property. This is a legal requirement that must not be overlooked. This ensures that your tenants are secure and you are able to provide an official certificate in the event that issues occur. It also helps you to avoid future expensive repairs.
Remember that landlords should keep their pipes, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can help prevent carbon monoxide, which is a serious health risk. This can be caused by faulty gas cookers, fires, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that cannot be detected without specialist equipment. It's essential to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your property and check them regularly as well as examining gas appliances.
The cost of the gas safety checks for landlords may differ from engineer to engineer. You can find a fair price by entering your postcode online and comparison shopping for quotes. You can inquire about discounts if there are multiple properties that need to be checked. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety inspection is the location of your property. Landlords in cities like London will likely have to pay more than those living in less affluent or remote regions.
Landlords must be aware that tenants may refuse to allow access to conduct a check. cp12 certificate is usually due to fears of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to track them. A carefully worded note explaining your motives for getting access to their house will convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection, the landlord may take actions. This includes giving a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether or not this is reasonable. The most effective way for the landlord do is communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is required.