Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances comply with the rules and regulations and are safe. Failure to do so could result in fines and may compromise the safety of tenants.

CP12 is the abbreviation used for 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 pipes as well as appliances and flues checked each year. But some landlords have difficulty to gain access to their properties and are forced to cut their inspections.
It's a legal requirement
It is crucial to keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date regardless of whether you're a landlord who has one property or a portfolio of rental properties. In the event of a failure to do this, it could result in a fine, or even prosecution. It is also advisable to get your gas appliances checked and show a valid certificate in each property.
The gas safety certificate includes information such as date of inspection, the address of the property which was inspected, information about each appliance with their current status as well as the ID number and name of the engineer who conducted the survey. It also lists appliances that are deemed 'unsafe to use' and gives suggestions for how to fix the fault. The engineer will issue an "ID code" in the event of finding appliances that are not suitable. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk, but isn't immediately hazardous, it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants can sometimes refuse access to a gas safety inspection which is when the relationship between landlord and tenant could be strained. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 require landlords to take all reasonable measures to comply. This includes attempting multiple times to perform 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 must also display a copy of their
gas safety certificate at every property. This will prevent tenants from moving into homes that have gas appliances that are unsafe, and will allow prospective tenants to look up the history of safety checks. In addition, a gas safety certificate will help you establish an image of a responsible and professional landlord, which can attract more tenants.
A Gas Safe registered Engineer will not only make sure that your gas equipment is safe and safe, but a service agreement can also save you time and money in the long term. Many gas companies offer discounts on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea to shop around to find the best price for you.
It's a great idea
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that any
gas safety certificate replacement appliances on your property are safe.
gas safe register duplicate certificate Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to identify and correct issues before they become dangerous and more serious. Regular inspections will aid in keeping
gas safety certificate replacement boilers, and other equipment, in good working order, allowing them to last longer.
Landlords need to have the Gas Safety Certificate valid for every gas appliance they have in their home. Without these certificates, landlords risk hefty fines and may find that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. It's a breeze to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate for your property by hiring a qualified engineer and arranging for an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a annual gas inspection. However it is recommended to conduct more frequent inspections if you have left your property empty for a long period of time. Gas safety regulations require a yearly gas check, but it's a good idea conduct more frequent inspections, particularly if your property has been left empty for a long period of time.
It's essential to have a current gas safety report when re-letting a property. This is so that you can transfer 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 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 stating the reasons for access and what the gas safety inspection will entail. If they do not agree to allow access, you can start the eviction procedure with a section-21 notice.
Safety of your gas appliances is the top priority. You must carry an Gas Safety Certificate on all of your
gas safety certificate grace period appliances. If you don't, you could risk losing your deposit to rent and could be subject to legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. It's a good idea to avoid this, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual check by a Gas Safe engineer.
It's a pain
When it comes to landlord gas safety inspections there are a lot of people who are not happy with the situation. It is not only a legal requirement but it is also a good idea ensure that tenants use appliances that have been inspected by a professional. If something goes wrong it could result in a catastrophic gas-hazard incident which would be very bad news for anyone living in or around the home.
Some tenants, however, aren't willing to permit these inspections. This is understandable. They may think that it is a violation of their privacy or suspect that the check might be an attempt to spy on them or their habits. However, landlords must keep in their minds that they are legally obligated to carry out these inspections, and must only do it if the tenants grant them access to their property.
Being faced with angry tenants can be stressful especially for landlords who have multiple properties. It's also important for landlords to be aware that if they don't obtain their gas safety certificate they could face hefty fines and the tenants might not be permitted to move in until the problem has been dealt with.
Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you ever have to repossess the property. If the previous tenants do not have a copy of the certificate, they may not be able to prove the inspections were conducted correctly. It's worth keeping a record in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can be a prosecutor for landlords who do not provide their tenants with an official copy of the certificate of gas safety within 28 days after an inspection. If you are a tenant, it is recommended to request a copy of the gas safety certificate from your landlord as soon as possible.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and share copies with their tenants. They can be purchased through Gas Safe online, and the process is fast and easy. The certificate isn't expensive - depending on where you're located and how many appliances are tested, it ranges between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
You may not think of gas safety checks when you consider the cost of renting a home. This is a legal requirement and should not be ignored. It will ensure that your tenants are secure and you can provide an authentic certificate should any issues arise. It can also assist you to avoid future expensive repairs.
It's also important to keep in mind that landlords are required to keep their plumbing, appliances and flues in good working order. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide which is a major health hazard. It can be caused by malfunctioning fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odourless gas that can't be detected without specialized equipment. It's essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in every property and check them regularly, as well as checking
gas safety certificate Landlord 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 looking at quotes. Ask about discounts if there are multiple properties to be checked. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
The location of your property is another factor that can influence the cost of a safety check. Landlords living in metropolitan areas such as London will likely be required to pay more than those living in less affluent regions or in remote areas.
Landlords must be aware that some tenants might not allow access for the purpose of a check. This is usually due to tenants' fear of intruding of privacy or suspicions of snooping. A carefully worded note explaining the reasons behind getting access to their house should convince them.
If the tenant continues to refuse access, the landlord is able to decide to enforce the inspection. This could include giving a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether the notice is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to communicate with the tenant and explain to them why it's necessary to carry out a gas safety check.
