7 Things You've Never Knew About Gas Safety Certificate Landlord
Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords need to ensure that all gas appliances are safe and in compliance with the rules. Infractions could lead to penalties and could compromise the safety of tenants.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for CORGI Form 12. It is also known as a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is a legal requirement to have your gas pipes, appliances and flues tested every year. Some landlords have difficulty gaining access to their properties and are compelled to take on an inspection that is shorter.
It's a legal requirement
Whether you're a landlord with one property or several rental properties, it's important to keep your gas safety certificates current. A penalty or even a fine could result from not complying. It is also beneficial to get your gas appliances checked and have a valid certificate on every home.
A gas safety certificate contains information such as the date of inspection the address of the house inspected, the details of each appliance that was inspected with their current status, and the name and identification number of the engineer who conducted the survey. It also identifies appliances that are considered unsafe to use and provides suggestions on how to fix the issue. If the engineer discovers unsuitable appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If the appliance is found to be in danger, but isn't immediately dangerous, it will receive an "AR" code.
Tenants may refuse access to a gas safety inspection and this is when the relationship between landlord and tenant can begin to get strained. However, landlords must take every reasonable step to comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This means making multiple attempts to perform the checks and then writing to the tenant informing them that this is a legal requirement to ensure their own security. It's also recommended to include arrangements for access in the lease agreement.
Landlords must also display a copy of their gas safety certificate at every property. This will stop tenants from settling in a home with unsafe gas appliances and also allows potential future tenants to view the record of the safety inspections. A gas safety certificate can also help you establish credibility as an honest landlord. This will draw more tenants.
A Gas Safe Registered Engineer will not only make sure that your gas equipment is secure, but a service contract can also save you time and money in the long run. For instance, many gas companies offer a reduced price on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is a good idea to shop around to find the best deal for you.
It's a great idea
As a landlord it is your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances that are located on your property are safe. Regular inspections by a certified Gas Safe engineer are the best way to find and correct any issues before they become more serious and potentially dangerous for tenants. Regular inspections also help keep gas boilers, and other equipment, in good working order which will allow them to last for longer.
Landlords need to have a Gas Safety Certificate valid for every gas appliance they have 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 making an appointment.
A gas inspection every year is the minimum requirement in the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's recommended to have more frequent check-ups particularly if your home was left empty for an extended period of time. Gas safety regulations require a yearly gas check, however it's a good idea to have more frequent checks, especially if your property has been vacant for a long period of time.
It is essential to have an updated gas safety report when re-letting an apartment. This is to ensure that you can transfer keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have removed the old appliances or if any work has been done on the gas system.
Before you conduct any inspection, it's a good idea to speak to your tenant and ask them to grant access to the property. If they're not willing, you can send them a strongly worded letter explaining the reasons for access and what the gas safety inspection will involve. If they are still refusing, you can start the eviction process by sending them an official notice under section 21.
Gas safety is your top priority. You must have an Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. You could lose your deposit and face 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 performed by a certified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to date.
It's a hassle
Some aren't happy with the landlord gas safety inspections. It is not only an official requirement, but also a good idea to ensure that tenants are using appliances that have been tested by experts. If something goes wrong, it could lead to an extremely dangerous gas-related accident that could be a nightmare for anyone who lives in or around the property.
Some tenants, however do not want to be inspected. This is quite understandable. landlord gas safety certificates may feel that it's an invasion of their privacy or believe the check could be an attempt to snoop on or track them. But landlords should keep in their minds that they are legally bound to carry out these inspections, and they are only able to do so only if tenants permit them access to their property.
Being faced with angry tenants can be frustrating especially for landlords who have multiple properties. It is crucial that landlords keep in mind that if their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they may be penalized with heavy fines and tenants might not be permitted to move into the house until the issue is resolved.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificates in the event that the property is ever taken. They might not be able to prove that they've carried out the correct inspections if previous tenants didn't keep the certificate, so it's worth keeping the certificate in case.
The Health and Safety Executive can charge a landlord with a criminal offense if they don't give their tenants the original certificate of gas safety within 28 days of an inspection. So if you're a tenant, it's best to request one from your landlord immediately.
Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates current and provide copies to tenants. They can be purchased through Gas Safe online, and the process is simple and simple. The cost isn't expensive either, as it costs only PS50-PS90 for the certificate, depending on where you live and how many gas appliances are checked.
It's not expensive
When you think about the cost of renting a property it is likely that you don't think about the cost of gas safety checks. But this is an obligation that is legally required and must not be overlooked. This will ensure that your tenants are secure and you can give an appropriate certificate should issues occur. It also helps you avoid costly repairs.
It is also important to remember that a landlord must keep their plumbing, appliances and flues in good shape. Regular maintenance will help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which is an extremely dangerous health danger. It can be caused by defective gas boilers, cookers and fires. Carbon monoxide, a colourless and tasteless gas, can't be detected without specialized equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every house and monitored regularly. Gas appliances must also be checked regularly.
The cost of a landlord gas safety check can vary slightly from engineer to engineer. You can find a reasonable price by entering your postcode online and comparison shopping for estimates. It's also worth asking about discounts if you have several properties that need to be checked. Some engineers offer discounts if you bundle inspections together.
Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety test is the location of your home. Landlords who live in urban areas like London are likely to pay more than those in remote or less wealthy areas.
Landlords must also be aware that some tenants might not allow access for the purpose of a check. This is typically due to fears of a breach of their privacy or suspicion that it's a scheme to track them. A carefully written note outlining your motives for gaining access to their home will convince them.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the inspection, the landlord can take action. This could include sending a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether or not this is reasonable. The most effective option for the landlord to do is communicate with the tenant to explain the reasons why a gas safety inspection is required.