Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances conform with the regulations and are safe. Infractions could result in fines and may compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation for CORGI Proforma 12. It is also called a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is an obligation of law to have your gas pipework and appliances examined annually. But some landlords struggle to gain access to their properties and are forced to reduce their inspection time.
It's a legal requirement
It's important that you keep your gas safety certificate up-to-date regardless of whether you're an owner of one property or a portfolio of rental properties. Failure to do so could result in a fine or prosecution. There are also some practical benefits for having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certification displayed at every location.
The gas safety certificate contains details like the date of inspection, address of the property that was inspected, the details of each appliance along with their current status as well as the name and ID number of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also identifies appliances that are considered unsafe to use and provides suggestions for fixing the problem. If an engineer discovers unsuitable appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If an appliance is deemed to be at risk but isn't immediately dangerous the appliance will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse to allow access for a safety check. This can create problems in the relationship between landlords and tenants. However landlords must make every effort to ensure compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes repeatedly trying to perform the checks, and informing the tenant that this is required to ensure their safety. It's also a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.
The 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 also allows potential future tenants to view the record of the safety checks. landlord gas safety certificate cp12 can also help you establish a good reputation as a responsible landlord. This will attract more tenants.
As well as ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with an Gas Safe Registered Engineer will save you time and money in the long in the long. For instance, a lot of gas companies offer a discount price for annual Gas Safety Certificates. You need to look for the lowest 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 detect and address issues before they become dangerous and more serious. Regular inspections can also assist in keeping gas boilers, and other equipment in good working condition, allowing them to last longer.
Landlords are legally required to possess an active Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances in their properties. Without these certificates, landlords are at risk of huge fines and could discover that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. It is easy to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and setting up an appointment.
A yearly gas check is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's recommended to have more frequent checks especially if your property was left empty for a long period of time. This is due to the fact that appliances can be altered or the gas supply may be shut off when the property was not being used.
It is essential to have an updated gas safety certificate when you are re-letting an apartment. This is so that you can give keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have taken away the old appliances, or if any work has been completed on the gas system.
It's a great idea to ask your tenant to allow you access to their home prior to any inspection. If they do not agree to allow access, you can send them a letter explaining the reason behind access and what's included during the gas safety inspection. If they don't want to go through the process to allow access, you can start the process of eviction with a section-21 notice.
Gas safety is your number one priority. You must carry a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. If you don't, you could risk losing your deposit for tenancy and could be subject to legal action from your 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 inspection by an Gas Safe engineer.
It's a hassle
Not everyone is happy about the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It's not just a legal requirement, but it's also good sense to make sure tenants are using appliances which are inspected by professionals. If something goes wrong, it could lead to a gas-hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone living in or around the building.
Some tenants, however refuse to allow these inspections. This is quite understandable. Some tenants might think it is an invasion of their privacy or believe the check could be an attempt to spy on or track them. But landlords should keep in their minds that they are legally bound to conduct these inspections, and they can only do this if the tenants grant them access to their property.
It can be frustrating for landlords to have to manage tenants who are recalcitrant particularly if they own multiple properties. It's also important for landlords to remember that if they don't obtain their gas safety certification they could face hefty fines and tenants may not be permitted to move in until the problem is addressed.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in the event that you ever have to repossess the property. If the previous tenants don't have a copy of the certificate, they may not be able prove that the inspections were done correctly. It's worth having an archive in case of need.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within 28 days of carrying out an inspection, they can be accused of trespassing by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you are a tenant, then you should ask your landlord for one as soon as possible.
Landlords must 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 procedure. The cost isn't expensive either - it costs just PS50-PS90 for the certificate depending on the location you live in and how many gas appliances are tested.
It's not expensive
You may not think of gas safety checks when you are considering the cost of renting a house. This is a legal requirement that should not be ignored. This ensures that your tenants are safe, and you can provide a valid certificate if any problems occur. Plus, it can help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.
It's also important to keep in mind that landlords are required to maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good working order. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide, a serious health hazard. It can be caused by faulty gas boilers, cookers or fires. Carbon monoxide, a colourless and tasteless gas, is unable to be detected without the use of specialized equipment. It is crucial to install carbon monoxide detectors in every property and check them regularly, as well as checking gas appliances.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety check will vary slightly based on the technician. However, it is possible to find a good price online by entering your postcode and then comparing quotes. It is important to inquire for discounts if you own several properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
The location of your home is another factor that could affect the cost of a security inspection. Landlords in urban areas like London are likely to pay more than those living in remote or less wealthy areas.
Landlords should be aware that some tenants may refuse to allow access to the purpose of a check. This is usually due to tenants' fear of invasion of privacy or suspicion of spying. However, a carefully written letter stating the reasons for access should convince them to let you in.
If the tenant continues to deny access, the landlord can take action to enforce the inspection. This includes serving a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether the notice is reasonable. The most effective way for the landlord do is contact the tenant to explain why a gas safety check is required.