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Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date
Landlords need to ensure that all gas appliances are safe and comply with the rules. Failure to comply could result in fines and compromise the security of tenants.
CP12 is an abbreviation form of CORGI Proforma 12. It is also known as a Gas Safety Certificate or a Landlord's Gas Safety Record.
It is an obligation of law to have your gas pipework as well as appliances and flues examined every year. But some landlords struggle to gain access to their properties and are forced to reduce their inspection time.
It's an obligation of the law
If you're a landlord who has one property or an investor with a portfolio of rental properties, it's important to keep your gas safety certificates up to date. A fine or even a prosecution could result from not complying. There are other practical benefits for having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certificate displayed in each property.
cp12 certificate includes information such as the date of inspection and the address of the house that was inspected, the information of each appliance that was inspected with their current status, and the name and identification number of the engineer who carried out the inspection. It also identifies appliances that are deemed to be unsafe to use' and provides suggestions on how to remove the fault. The engineer will issue an "ID code" if they find any appliances that aren't suitable for. If an appliance is considered to be at risk but not immediately dangerous it will receive a "AR" code.
Tenants might not allow access to a safety inspection. This could cause issues in the relationship between landlords and tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1988 require landlords to take all reasonable steps to be in compliance. This includes repeatedly trying to perform the checks, and informing the tenant that this is a requirement to ensure their safety. It's also recommended to include access arrangements in the lease agreement.
Landlords must also ensure that they display a copy gas safety certificates in 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 checks. Furthermore having a gas safety certification can help build an image of a responsible and professional landlord, which could draw more tenants.
As well as ensuring your gas equipment is safe, having an annual service contract with an Gas Safe registered Engineer can save your time and money in the long run. For instance, a lot of gas companies offer a discount cost for annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea to shop around and find the most affordable price 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. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to identify and address issues before they become more dangerous and serious. In addition, regular inspections can help to keep gas boilers and other equipment in good condition which means they're more likely to last for longer.
Landlords are legally required to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances that are installed in their homes. These certificates are required by law and landlords who do not have them are subject to heavy fines or find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. It is easy to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate by hiring an engineer and setting up an appointment.
Gas Safety Regulations require a minimum of a yearly gas inspection. However, it is advisable to conduct more frequent checks if you have left your property empty for a prolonged period. This is because appliances could be altered or the gas supply might be shut off when the property was empty.
It is essential to have an up-to-date gas safety report before letting the property. This is so you can transfer keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required if tenants have taken away the old appliances or any work was done on the gas system.
Before conducting any inspections 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 to allow access, you can send them an email explaining the reason behind access and what will be involved in the gas safety check. If they continue to refuse then you can start the eviction process with the section 21 notice.
Safety of your gas appliances is the top priority. You must carry a Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. You may lose your deposit and face legal action by the local council or Health and Safety Executive if you do not. It's a good idea, to avoid this, to get your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to undergo an annual inspection by an Gas Safe engineer.
It's a hassle
Not everyone is happy about the gas safety inspections conducted by landlords. It's not just an obligation under the law, but it is also a good idea to make sure that tenants use appliances that have been checked by professionals. In the event that something goes wrong, it could lead to an incredibly dangerous gas-related incident that would be very bad news for anyone who lives within or around the property.
Some tenants will not permit access to these inspections, which is understandable. They may think it's a violation of their privacy or believe that the check is some sort of ploy to monitor them or their habits. But landlords should keep in their minds that they are legally bound to conduct these inspections, and they can only do this if the tenants grant them access to their property.
Being faced with angry tenants can be a hassle particularly for landlords who own multiple properties. However, it's important for landlords to keep in mind that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certificate, they risk hefty fines and the tenants could 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. They might not be able to prove that they had carried out the correct inspections if previous tenants didn't keep a copy therefore it's worthwhile to keep an archive in case of need.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of carrying out an inspection, they can be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If you are a tenant, then you should get your landlord's permission as soon as possible.
Landlords need to keep their Gas Safe certificates up to date and provide a copy with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online at a quick and simple procedure. The cost isn't expensive either, as it costs only PS50-PS90 for the certificate depending on where you live and the number of gas appliances tested.
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. Yet this is an essential legal requirement that should not be ignored. This will ensure that your tenants are safe and you are able to provide an appropriate certificate should issues occur. It can also help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
It's also important to keep in mind that landlords must keep their pipework, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a serious health danger. It can be caused by faulty gas boilers, cookers or fires. Carbon monoxide, a colourless and tasteless gas, cannot be detected without special equipment. It is essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in each home and regularly check them and also check the condition of gas appliances.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety check will vary slightly based on the engineer. You can find a good price by entering your postcode online and looking at estimates. It is also worth asking about discounts if there are multiple properties that must be checked. Some engineers offer discounts when you combine inspections.
The location of your property is a further factor that may influence the cost of a safety check. Landlords who live in metropolitan areas like London will have to pay more for a gas safety test than those who reside in less well-off regions or in remote regions.
Landlords should be aware that tenants might not allow access to conduct a verification. This is usually due to fears of an invasion of their privacy or suspicion that it's a ploy to track them. A carefully composed note describing your reasons for getting access to their home should convince them to allow you access.
If the tenant is unwilling to allow the inspection, the landlord can take actions. This can include sending the tenant with a Section 21 Notice, although the court will decide whether it is reasonable. The best option for the landlord is to talk with the tenant and explain to them why it's necessary to carry out a gas safety check.