Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances comply with the rules and regulations and are safe. Failure to adhere could result in fines and compromise the security of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation of CORGI Form 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 as well as appliances and flues checked annually. But some landlords struggle to gain access to their properties and are forced to shorten their inspection time.
It's a lawful requirement
If you're a property owner with one property or a portfolio of rental properties, it's crucial to keep your gas safety certificates up to date. A fine or even a prosecution could result from failing to comply. There are other benefits for having your gas appliances checked and a valid certification displayed in every property.
The gas safety certificates contain information such as date of inspection, address of the property which was inspected, information about every appliance, their current status as well as the name and ID number of the engineer that conducted the inspection. It also identifies appliances considered to be unsafe for use and offers suggestions on how to fix the fault. If an engineer discovers unsafe appliances, they'll issue an "ID" code. If gas safe register duplicate certificate is found to be at risk but not immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse to allow access to a safety inspection. This can cause problems in the relationship between tenants and landlords. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 require landlords to take all reasonable measures to ensure compliance. This should include making several attempts to carry out the checks and writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement for their own security. It's also an excellent idea to include access arrangements in the Tenancy agreement.
Landlords must also display a copy their gas safety certificate at every property. This can help keep tenants from moving into a property with gas appliances that are unsafe. It will also allow potential tenants to review the results of safety checks. A gas safety certificate will also help you establish an image of an honest landlord. This will attract more tenants.
In addition to ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with a Gas Safe registered Engineer will save you time and money 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 lowest price.
It's a good idea
As a landlord, it's your duty to ensure the safety of all gas appliances you have in your home. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to find and fix problems before they become more dangerous and serious. Additionally regular inspections are a great way to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good working order, so they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords are required by law to have an active Gas Safety Certificate for each gas appliance in their properties. 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. Fortunately, it's easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate for your property by hiring a qualified engineer and scheduling an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a once-a-year gas inspection. However, it is advisable to conduct more frequent checks if you have been away from your property for a long time. This is due to the fact that appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply may have been shut off while the property was empty.
It is crucial to have an updated gas safety report when re-letting an apartment. This is so you can give keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if the old appliances were taken by tenants or if any work has been completed on the gas system since your last inspection.
It's a great idea ask your tenant to grant access to their property prior to any inspection. If they're hesitant to give access, you can write an unambiguously written letter that explains the reasons for access and what the gas safety inspection will involve. If they still refuse, you can start the process of eviction with the section 21 notice.
Gas safety is your top priority. You must have an Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. If you don't have one, you risk losing your tenancy deposit and possibly facing legal action from your local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's recommended to schedule annual inspections performed by a certified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to date.
It's a pain
Not everyone is happy about the gas safety inspections for landlords. It's not only a legal requirement, but it also makes good sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances that are inspected by professionals. If something goes wrong, this could result in a gas hazard situation that would be disastrous for anyone who lives in or around the building.
Some tenants will not permit access to these inspections This is reasonable. They may think it's an infringement of their privacy or suspect that the check is some sort of ploy to observe their activities or habits. Landlords must be aware that they are under an obligation under law to conduct these inspections, and can only do so in the event that tenants allow access to their homes.
It can be frustrating for landlords to to deal with tenants who are resistant particularly if they own multiple properties. It's crucial for landlords to remember that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certificate they could face hefty fines and tenants may not be allowed to move in until the problem is addressed.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to keep copies of the gas safety certificate in the event that the property is ever repossessed. If the previous tenants don't have a copy the certificate, they may not be able prove that the inspections were carried out correctly. It's a good idea to keep a record in case.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of carrying out an inspection, they may be charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you are a tenant, then it is best to request a copy of the gas safety certificate from your landlord as soon as possible.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates current and provide copies to tenants. Gas Safe offers them online in a simple and fast procedure. The certificate isn't expensive - depending on where you're located and the number of appliances tested, it ranges between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
When you think about the cost of renting a property, you probably don't consider the cost of gas safety inspections. This is a legal requirement and should not be ignored. This will ensure that your tenants are safe and you can give an appropriate certificate should issues occur. It can also help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
Remember that landlords should keep their appliances, pipework and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can help prevent carbon monoxide, a serious health hazard. This can be caused by faulty fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odourless gas that isn't detectable without the use of specialist equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every house, and they should be monitored regularly. Gas appliances also need to be checked.
The cost of a gas safety check for landlords will vary from engineer to engineer. However, you can often find a competitive price online by entering your postcode and comparing quotes. You can inquire about discounts if there are multiple properties that need to be checked. Some engineers offer discounts if you bundle inspections.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety test is the location of your property. Landlords who reside in metropolitan areas like London will have to pay more for a gas safety inspection than those who live in less affluent or in remote regions.
Landlords must also be aware that some 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. But a well-written letter explaining the reasons to gain access will convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant refuses to allow the inspection, the landlord is able to take action. This could include sending an Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether it is reasonable. The best way for the landlord do is contact the tenant to explain why a gas safety check is necessary.