Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords need to ensure that the gas appliances are safe and comply with the rules. In the absence of this, it could result in penalties and could compromise the safety 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 pipes as well as appliances and flues examined each year. Some landlords have difficulty gaining access to their properties and are forced into a shorter inspection period.
It's an official requirement
It is crucial to keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date, whether you are a landlord with one property or a rental portfolio. A penalty or even a fine could be the result of infractions. There are other practical advantages for having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certificate displayed at every location.
The gas safety certificate contains details like the date of inspection, address of property that was inspected, the details of each appliance with their current status and the ID number and name of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also identifies appliances that are considered unsafe to use and provides suggestions for fixing the fault. The engineer will issue an "ID code" if they find any appliances that are not suitable. If a device is found to be at risk but isn't immediately hazardous, it will be issued an "AR" code.
Tenants might not allow access to a safety inspection. This could cause issues in the relationship between landlords and tenants. However landlords are required to take every reasonable step to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes making multiple attempts to conduct the checks, and writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement for their own security. It's also recommended to include arrangements for access in the lease agreement.
Landlords must also ensure that they display a copy gas safety certificate in each property. This will help to keep tenants from moving into a house that has gas appliances that are unsafe and will also allow potential tenants to review the results of safety checks. Furthermore having a gas safety certification can help build a reputation for being a responsible and professional landlord, which could attract more tenants.
As well as ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, having an annual service contract with a Gas Safe registered Engineer can save you money and time in the long term. For instance, many gas companies offer a discount price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea look around and find the most affordable price for you.
It's a great idea
As a
landlord gas safety certificate how often, it's your obligation to ensure the safety of any gas appliances in your property. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to find and fix problems before they become dangerous and serious. In addition, regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other appliances in good condition and therefore, they're more likely to last for longer.
Landlords must have a Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance within their property. These certificates are required by law, and landlords who do not have them are subject to massive fines or may find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It is easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and making an appointment.
A yearly gas check is the minimum requirement in the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's a good idea to have more frequent check-ups especially if your property has been empty for an extended period of time. Gas safety regulations require a yearly gas check, but it's recommended to conduct more frequent checks, especially if your property has been left empty for a long period of time.
When it comes to re-letting your home, it is essential to have a current gas safety report before you can hand keys to new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have removed the old appliances, or if any work has been completed on the gas system.
It's a great idea ask your tenant to grant you access to their property before any inspection. If they refuse to allow access, you can send them an explanation in a letter of the reason for access and what will be involved during the gas safety inspection. If they refuse to allow access, you can start the process of eviction with a section-21 notice.
When it is about gas safety, your primary responsibility is to ensure that you have a Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. 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 avoid this, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual inspection by a Gas Safe engineer.
It's a thorny issue
Some aren't happy with the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It's not only a legal requirement, but it also makes good sense to make sure tenants are using appliances which have been checked by professionals. If something goes wrong it could cause an extremely dangerous gas-related accident that is a disaster for anyone living in or around the home.
Some tenants, however, aren't willing to permit these inspections. This is reasonable. Some tenants might feel it's an invasion of privacy, or think that the inspection could be an attempt to spy on or track them. Landlords must remember that they have a legal obligation to conduct these inspections and only do it if tenants allow them access to their homes.
It can be a hassle for landlords to to deal with tenants who are unreliable, especially if they own multiple properties. However, it's important for landlords to remember that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certification they could face hefty fines and the tenants could not be permitted to move in until the issue is resolved.
It's also a good idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificate in case the property is ever taken. 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 a good idea to keep an evidence in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they do not provide their tenants with a copy of the certificate of gas safety within a period of 28 days following an inspection. If you're a tenant, you should try to get one from your landlord immediately.
Landlords are required to keep their Gas Safe certificates current and give copies to tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is simple and easy. The certificate isn't expensive depending on where you're located and
how long does a gas safety certificate last many appliances are checked, it costs between PS50 and PS90.
It's affordable
When you think about the costs of renting a property you may not think about the cost of gas safety checks. Yet this is an obligation that is legally required and should not be omitted. It will ensure that your tenants are protected and you can provide an official certificate in the event that there are any issues. Plus, it can help you avoid costly 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 will help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which poses serious health risk. It can be caused by defective
gas safe installation certificate boilers, cookers and fires. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas, tasteless and odourless that isn't detectable without the use of specialist equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every property and checked regularly.
Gas Safety Certificate Landlord appliances also need to be inspected.
The cost of the gas safety inspection for landlords can vary a bit depending on the engineer. You can find a fair price by entering your postcode online and comparing estimates. Ask about discounts if there are multiple properties to be checked. Some engineers offer discounts if you combine inspections.
The location of your property is another factor that can influence the cost of a safety check. Landlords who live in cities like London will likely be required to pay more than those living in remote or less wealthy areas.
Landlords should also be aware that some tenants might not allow access to the purpose of a check. This is usually due to tenants' fear of being invaded of privacy or suspicion of spying. A carefully written note outlining the reasons behind getting access to their home will convince them to allow you access.

If the tenant is unwilling to allow the inspection, the
landlord safety certificate is able to take actions. This could include a Section 21 notice, but the court will decide if this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord to do is to communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety inspection is required.
