Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date

Landlords must make sure all gas appliances are safe and in compliance with the rules. Failure to do so could result in fines and compromise tenant safety.

CP12 is the abbreviation of CORGI Form 12. Also called a Gas Safety Certificate, or Landlord’s Gas Safety Records.

It is an obligation of law to have your gas pipework, appliances and flues checked every year. However, some landlords are unable to gain access to their properties and are forced to cut their inspections.

It’s a requirement by law

If you’re a landlord who has one property or a portfolio of rental properties, it’s crucial to keep your gas safety certificates up-to-date. A fine or even a criminal prosecution could result from infractions. There are also some practical benefits of having your gas appliances inspected and a valid certification displayed at every location.

A gas safety certification contains details such as the date of inspection the address of the property inspected, the details of each appliance that was inspected with their current status, and the name and identification number of the engineer who performed the survey. It also lists any appliances that are deemed unsafe to use’ and offers suggestions on ways to eliminate the issue. The engineer will issue an “ID code” in the event of finding appliances that aren’t appropriate for. If an appliance is considered to be at risk, but not immediately dangerous it will be issued an “AR” code.

Tenants can sometimes refuse access to a gas safety inspection and this is when the relationship between landlord and tenant could start to become problematic. However, landlords must take all reasonable steps to be in compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This should include making several 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 a good idea to include access arrangements in the tenancy agreement.

The landlords must be sure to display a copy gas safety certificate in each property. This can help prevent tenants from moving into a house with unsafe gas appliances and can also permit potential tenants to review the results of the safety inspections. A gas safety certificate will also help you build a good reputation as an honest landlord. This will attract more tenants.

A Gas Safe Registered Engineer will not only ensure that your gas equipment is secure and safe, but a service agreement can also help you save money and time in the long run. Many gas companies offer discounts on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It’s a good idea look around and find the best price for you.

It’s a good idea

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that any gas appliances that are located on your property are safe. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to find and address issues before they become dangerous and serious. Regular inspections will also help keep gas boilers, as well as other equipment in good working condition which will allow them to last for longer.

Landlords must have the Gas Safety Certificate valid for each gas appliance in their property. These certificates are required by law and landlords who don’t have them face heavy fines or find their appliances unsafe for tenants to use. Fortunately, it’s easy to get an Gas Safety Certificate for your property by contacting a certified engineer and arranging for an appointment.

A yearly gas check is the minimum requirement in the Gas Safety Regulations, but it is advisable to have more frequent check-ups especially if your property has been empty for a long period of time. This is due to the fact that appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply may have been shut off while the property was empty.

It’s essential to have an updated gas safety report before letting a property. This is to ensure that you can hand over the keys to your new tenants. Re-inspections are also required in the event that the old appliances were taken by tenants or work has been carried out on the gas system since your last inspection.

It’s a good idea to ask your tenant to grant you access to their property prior to any inspection. If they do not agree to allow access, you can send them an email explaining the reason behind access and the steps involved during the gas safety inspection. If they are still refusing, you can start the process of eviction with an official notice under section 21.

When it is about gas safety, your main obligation 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 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 prevent this from happening, to have your Gas Safety Certificate updated and to have an annual check by an Gas Safe engineer.

It’s a hassle

When it is about landlord gas safety inspections there are a lot of people who are not satisfied with the way things are going. It’s not only a legal requirement but it also makes good sense to make sure tenants are using appliances that are inspected by professionals. After all, if something goes wrong it could result in a catastrophic gas-hazard incident which is a disaster for anyone living within or around the property.

However, some tenants are unwilling to allow access for these inspections This is understandable. Some tenants might think it is an invasion of their privacy or think that the inspection could be an attempt to snoop on or monitor them. But landlords should keep in mind that they are legally obligated to carry out the inspections and are only able to do so only if tenants permit them access to their property.

It can be a hassle for landlords to to manage tenants who are recalcitrant, especially if they own multiple properties. It is important for landlords to remember that in the event that their gas safety certification is not obtained, they may face heavy fines and tenants may not be allowed to move into the property until the problem is addressed.

Keep copies of the gas certificate for your landlord in case you ever need to take possession of the property. If the previous tenants don’t have a copy the certificate, they may not be able prove that the inspections were conducted correctly. It’s worth having 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’re a tenant, you should try to ask your landlord for a copy as soon as possible.

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 fast and simple. The price isn’t too costly either - it costs just PS50-PS90 for the certificate dependent 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 you may not think about the cost of gas safety certificate landlord safety inspections. Yet it is an obligation that is legally required and must not be overlooked. It will ensure your tenants are safe and you can provide an authentic certificate should there are any issues. It can also help you avoid expensive repairs in the future.

Be aware that landlords must keep their pipes, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide, which is a serious health risk. It is caused by malfunctioning gas boilers, cookers or fires. Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that cannot be detected without the use of specialist equipment. It’s essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in each home and to check them frequently as well as examining gas appliances.

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

The location of your home is another factor that can influence the cost of a security inspection. Landlords who reside in urban areas such as London will have to pay more for a gas safety inspection than those who reside in less affluent regions or in remote areas.

Landlords should be aware of the possibility that tenants will refuse to let access to conduct a check. This is often due to tenants’ fear of invasion of privacy or suspicion of snooping. A carefully composed note describing the reasons behind gaining access to their home will convince them.

If the tenant continues to deny access, the landlord can take action to enforce the inspection. This can include giving a Section 21 notice, but the court will decide if this is reasonable. The most effective thing for the landlord to do is communicate with the tenant to explain the reasons why a gas safety inspection is necessary.