Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date

Landlords are accountable for ensuring that all gas appliances conform with the rules and regulations and are safe. Failure to adhere could lead to fines and could 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.

Gas pipework, appliances, and flues have to be tested every year. Some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties, and are forced into an inspection that is shorter.

It's a legal requirement

If you're a landlord who has one property or an investor with a portfolio of rental properties, it's crucial to keep your gas safety certificates up to date. Inability to do so could result in a fine, or even prosecution. It is also advisable to inspect your gas appliances, and show a valid certificate in every property.

A gas safety certificate includes information like the date of inspection and the address of the property inspected, the details of each appliance inspected, their current condition, and the name and identification number of the engineer who carried out the survey. It also identifies appliances that are considered to be unsafe for use and gives suggestions for how to fix the fault. If the engineer finds any unsafe appliances, they'll issue an "ID" code. If a device is found to be in danger, but isn't immediately dangerous, it will be issued an "AR" code.

Tenants may refuse access to a gas safety inspection, and this is where the relationship between landlord and tenant may start to become problematic. However landlords are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes attempting multiple times to perform the checks, and inform tenants that this is required to ensure their safety. It's also recommended to include arrangements for access in the lease agreement.

Landlords must also make sure that they display a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will stop tenants from moving into properties that have gas appliances that are unsafe, and permit potential tenants to view the records of safety checks. In addition, a gas safety certificate will help to build a reputation for being an honest and professional landlord, which will bring in more tenants.

A Gas Safe registered Engineer will not only make sure that your gas equipment is secure and safe, but a service agreement can also save you time and money in the long term. For example, many gas companies offer a reduced cost for annual Gas Safety Certificates. It is important to shop around to find the best price.

It's a good idea

As a landlord, it's your duty to ensure the safety of any gas appliances in your property. Regular inspections conducted by a qualified Gas Safe engineer are the best way to find and correct any issues before they become more serious and potentially risky for tenants. Additionally regular inspections are a great way to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good working order and therefore, they're more likely to last for longer.

Landlords are legally required to possess an active Gas Safety Certificate for each gas appliance in their homes. These certificates are required by law, and landlords who don't have them risk heavy fines or find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. Fortunately, it's easy to get a Gas Safety Certificate for your home by hiring a qualified engineer and making an appointment.

A gas inspection every year is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's a good idea to conduct more frequent inspections, especially if your property has been left empty for a long period of time. This is because appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply might have been shut off while the property was not being used.

If you are considering letting your property, it's essential to have a current gas safety report before you hand keys to the new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have taken away the old appliances or any work has been done on the gas system.

Before any inspection it is an excellent idea to talk to your tenant and ask them to grant you access to the property. If they don't agree then you can write an explanation in a letter of the reason behind access and what is gas safety certificate will be included during the gas safety inspection. If they don't want to go through the process to allow access, you can start the eviction procedure with an official notice under section 21.

When it comes to gas safety, your primary responsibility is to make sure that you have a Gas Safety Certificate for each of your gas appliances and installations. If you don't have one, you risk losing your deposit for tenancy and potentially face legal action from the local council or the Health and Safety Executive. To avoid this, it's always recommended to schedule annual inspections by a qualified Gas Safe engineer and make sure that your Gas Safety Certificate is up to current.

It's a hassle

Some people are not happy with the gas safety inspections for landlords. It's not only a legal requirement, however, it makes sense to make sure tenants are using appliances that have been inspected by experts. If something goes wrong it could cause an extremely dangerous gas-related accident that would be very bad news for anyone living in or around the property.

Certain tenants, however, aren't willing to permit these inspections. This is reasonable. They might think that it is a violation of their privacy, or they may suspect that the check might be some sort of ploy to spy on their activities or habits. But landlords need to bear in mind that they are legally bound to conduct the inspections and must only do it only if tenants permit them access to their property.

It can be frustrating for landlords to have to manage tenants who are resistant, especially if they own multiple properties. It's important that landlords remember that if their gas safety certificate is not obtained, they could face heavy fines and tenants might not be allowed to move into the property until the problem is addressed.

It's also a good idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificates in case the property is ever repossessed. If the previous tenants do not have a copy of the certificate, they might not be able prove that the inspections were conducted correctly. It's worth having an archive in case of need.

If a landlord does not provide their tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of conducting an inspection, they could be charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you are a tenant then you should request a copy of the gas safety certificate from your landlord as soon as you can.

Landlords need to keep their Gas Safe certificates up to date and share a copy with their tenants. They can be purchased from Gas Safe online, and the process is simple and easy. The cost isn't too expensive either, as it costs only PS50-PS90 for the certificate, dependent on where you live and how long does gas safety certificate last many gas appliances are tested.

It's not expensive

Most people don't think of gas safety certificate homeowner safety checks when you are considering the costs of renting a home. This is a legal requirement that shouldn't be ignored. This will ensure that your tenants are protected, and you can provide an appropriate certificate should problems occur. Plus, it can help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.

Be aware that landlords must maintain their plumbing, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance will help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning which poses an extremely dangerous health risk. It is caused by defective gas cookers, fires and boilers. Carbon monoxide, a colourless and tasteless gas, is unable to be detected without special equipment. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every property, and they should be checked regularly. Gas appliances also need to be checked regularly.

The cost of a landlord gas safety check can vary slightly from engineer to engineer. However, you can often find a competitive price online by entering your postcode and comparing prices. Ask about discounts if there are several properties to be examined. Some engineers offer discounts if you bundle inspections together.

Another aspect that influences the cost of a gas safety check is the location of your property. Landlords who reside in areas with high-end amenities like London will be required to pay more for a gas safety check than those who live in less affluent regions or in remote regions.

Landlords must be aware that certain tenants may refuse to allow access to the purpose of a check. This is usually due to tenants' fear of being invaded of their privacy or suspicion of spying. But a well-written letter stating the reasons to gain access will convince them to let you in.

If the tenant is unwilling to allow the inspection, the landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service can take actions. This includes giving an Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The best option for the landlord to do is to communicate with the tenant to explain the reasons why a gas safety inspection is necessary.