It's Time To Increase Your Gas Safety Certificate Landlord Options
Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords need to ensure that all gas appliances are safe and comply with regulations. Failure to comply could result in fines and compromise the security of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation of CORGI Proforma 12. It is also called a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is legally required to have your gas pipes, appliances and flues tested annually. Some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties and are forced to follow a shorter inspection period.
It's a requirement by law
It is crucial to keep your gas safety certificate current, whether you are an owner of one property or a rental portfolio. Failure to do so could result in a fine, or even prosecution. It is also advisable to get your gas appliances checked and have a valid certificate on every home.
A gas safety certificate includes information like the date of inspection the address of the house that was inspected, the information of each appliance inspected, their current status, as well as the name and identification number of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also identifies any appliances that are deemed to be unsafe to use' and provides suggestions on ways to fix the problem. If the engineer finds any unsafe appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If an appliance is considered to be in danger but not immediately dangerous, it will receive an "AR" code.
Tenants can refuse 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 reasonable measures to ensure compliance. This includes repeatedly trying to perform the checks, and inform tenants that this is a requirement for their safety. It's also an excellent idea to include access arrangements in the lease agreement.
Landlords should also display a copy their gas safety certificate at every property. This will prevent tenants from moving into homes that have gas appliances that are unsafe, and allow potential future tenants to look up the history of safety inspections. A gas safety certificate can also help you build an image of a responsible landlord. This will attract more tenants.
In addition to ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, having an annual service contract with a Gas Safe Registered Engineer can save you time and money in the long term. For instance, many gas companies offer a discount price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is important to look for the lowest price.
It's a great idea.
As an owner, it is your obligation to ensure the safety of any gas appliances in your property. Regular inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the most effective way to spot and fix any problems before they become more serious and potentially risky for tenants. Additionally regular inspections are a great way to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good working order which means they're more likely to last longer.
Landlords must have a Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance in their property. Without these certificates, landlords risk huge fines and could discover that their appliances are unsafe to use for tenants. It's a breeze to get an Gas Safety Certificate for your property by hiring a qualified engineer and arranging for an appointment.
A yearly gas check is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's a good idea to have more frequent check-ups particularly if your home has been empty for a long period of time. This is because appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply might have been turned off while the property was empty.
When you decide to let your property, it's important to have a current gas safety certificate prior to handing keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required when tenants have removed the old appliances or if any work has been completed on the gas system.
It's a good idea to request your tenant to give you access to their property before any inspection. If they're hesitant you can mail an unambiguously written letter explaining why access is needed and what the gas safety inspections will include. If they continue to refuse, you can start the process of eviction with a section 21 notice.
When gas safety certificate landlord mkgassafety is about gas safety, your primary responsibility is to ensure that you have an Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. You could lose your tenancy deposit and be subject to legal action from the local council or Health and Safety Executive if you don't. To avoid this, it's always a good idea to have annual inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to current.
It's a hassle
When it concerns gas safety for landlords inspections there are a lot of people who are not satisfied with the way things are going. It's not only a legal requirement, however, it makes sense to make sure tenants are using appliances that are inspected by professionals. If something goes wrong, this could result in a gas hazard scenario that could be catastrophic for anyone in or around the building.
Some tenants, however aren't willing to permit these inspections. This is understandable. They might feel it's an infringement of their privacy or believe that the check might be an attempt to monitor their activities or habits. Landlords need to remember that they have an obligation under law to conduct these inspections and only do it if tenants allow them access to their properties.
It can be frustrating for landlords to to manage tenants who are unreliable especially if they have multiple properties. However, it's important for landlords to keep in mind that if they don't obtain their gas safety certification they could face hefty fines and the tenants could not be allowed to move in until the problem is resolved.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you have to ever repossess the property. If the previous tenants don't have a copy the certificate, they might not be able prove that the inspections were carried out correctly. It's worth having a record in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can prosecute a landlord if they don't provide their tenants with a copy of the certificate of gas safety within 28 days of an inspection. 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 up to date and share a copy with their tenants. They can be purchased through Gas Safe online, and the process is quick and simple. The price isn't too costly either - it costs just PS50-PS90 for the certificate, dependent on where you live and the number of gas appliances examined.
It's not expensive
When you think about the expenses of renting out a property you may not think about the cost of gas safety inspections. This is a legal requirement that should not be ignored. It ensures your tenants are protected and you are able to provide a valid certificate in case any issues arise. It also helps you to avoid future costly repairs.
Remember that landlords must also maintain their plumbing, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which poses a serious health danger. It can be caused by defective gas boilers, cookers or fires. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that cannot be detected without the use of specialist equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every property and should be monitored regularly. Gas appliances also need to be checked regularly.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety check can vary a bit depending on the technician. However, you can often find a good price online by entering your postcode and then comparing quotes. It's also worth asking about discounts if there are multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety check is the location of your home. Landlords in metropolitan areas such as London will likely have to pay more than those who live in remote or less wealthy areas.
Landlords must be aware of the possibility that tenants might refuse to allow access to conduct a check. This is often due to tenants' fear of being invaded of privacy or suspicion of snooping. A carefully written note outlining the reasons behind gaining access to their home should convince them.
If the tenant does not allow the inspection, the landlord may take actions. This could include the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will decide if this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to communicate with the tenant to explain why it's necessary to carry out the gas safety inspection.