Why Landlords and Buyers Should Get Gas Safety Certificates
Gas safety certificates are essential documents that need to be reviewed each year. The document is important for ensuring the safety of both appliances and the tenants.
Furthermore, the document allows landlords to fulfil their legal obligations and provides peace of mind for their tenants as well as them. This article will walk you through the steps required to get a gas safety certificate.
Landlords
Landlords must get gas safety certificates in order to rent out their properties. In the event of a non-compliant tenant, it could result in a fine or even jail. These checks are meant to ensure that tenants can safely use all gas appliances, flues and fittings within a rental property. The law requires that landlords provide the CP12 certificate to their tenants, along with copies of any previous certificates. If a landlord doesn't have a valid CP12 or has not given one to a new tenant within 28 days from the date of the previous check, they may be subject to the possibility of being prosecuted.
The CP12 is valid for 12 months, so it is important to arrange for an annual inspection with a qualified Gas Safe engineer. However, a landlord might have difficulty gaining access to their rental property if tenants refuse to allow inspectors to visit. Many tenants refuse to allow inspectors access during the pandemic believing that it is an invasion of their privacy or a scam. In these cases, landlords should explain the importance of the inspection to their tenant, and then make multiple attempts to gain access.
If a tenant still refuses to allow the engineer access It is recommended to notify the local authority, which should then call the landlord and give them guidance on what to do next. If the situation is severe enough the gas supply may be disconnected until the tenant is able to allow access.
Another thing to think about is that the location of a landlord influences the cost of the CP12. Prices in areas with high population density will likely be higher than in less affluent regions of the country. This is important to think about when deciding how much to pay for the CP12.
Landlords should also ensure that their properties have CO alarms, since they can reduce carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, landlords should display their CP12 certificate in a prominent place, so that their tenants know the property has been checked and is safe to live in. The Health and Safety Executive could charge a landlord for not comply with the Gas Safety Regulations of 1998.
Tenants
It is your obligation as a landlord to make sure that your tenants feel at ease and safe when they are renting your property. This means giving them a gas safety certificate to prove that all appliances and installations are inspected and cleared by a professional engineer. You must also renew this certificate annually. You can be penalized a lot if do not.
Landlords must state in the tenancy contract when the gas inspection is scheduled to take place and what the costs are likely to be. This will prevent any disputes and make sure you are in compliance with the law. You should also provide your tenants a copy their current gas safety certificate.
If your landlord does not conduct an inspection of gas safety and you are unable to report it, you can submit a complaint to the Health and Safety Executive. It is recommended to talk to your landlord to try and reach an agreement. If you are unable to reach an agreement or compromise, you can contact the HSE to make your landlord perform the checks. However this isn't always feasible and you'll need to be able prove that you have taken all reasonable steps to be in compliance with the law.
Gas safety checks are typically performed by Gas Safe registered engineers. You can verify their credentials by asking for their Gas Safe Register ID card. This is an important document, as only a Gas Safe certified Engineer can issue your gas safety certification. Gas Safe Register has a list of gas engineers with a certification. It is best to choose one near you to cut costs.
There is no grace period if your gas safety certificate is due to expire and it is essential to arrange a new visit when you realize that your CP12 expires. You could be facing a significant fine if you let your gas safety certificate expire. gas certificates can also be unsafe to use.
Homeowners
A gas safety certificate for your home isn't only a legal requirement for landlords, but an important safety measure. It assures that your gas appliances are safe to use and are in good working condition. This is particularly relevant for older appliances that are more prone to leaks and damaged connections.
The gas engineer will inspect the entire gas infrastructure of your home as well as any gas appliances in your home. He will create an inspection report and issue you with a gas safety certificate. If he discovers any faults or defects he will suggest that repairs be carried out immediately. It is important to get these repairs done as soon as possible to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as well as other dangerous side effects.
Gas Safe registered engineers can also perform a check of a homeowner's gas installation regardless of whether or not the homeowner plans to rent out their property. It is recommended to have this done at least once per year, particularly if you intend to sell your property in the future. A certificate can help in the sale process by proving that your home has been inspected and is safe for prospective buyers to live in.
Our user-friendly platform makes it easy to obtain gas safety certificates. The cost of the inspection will differ depending on your location and amount of gas appliances you have however, you should expect to pay less than PS50 for a basic check. Gas Safe Register is a legal requirement that all gas engineers have to be registered on.
If you have any questions regarding how to obtain an gas safety certificate you can contact us here. We are happy to help! We provide high-quality, professional gas safety certificates to homeowners and landlords across the UK.
Buyers
A buyer should have a gas safety certificate for the property they're buying. This is crucial as it allows buyers to identify any issues in the property and help save them from unwanted expenses later on. This will give them peace-of-mind knowing that the gas appliances within the house are safe to use. The buyer must request this document from the seller as soon as possible.
Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct a gas safety inspection for prospective buyers. The cost of the check can vary depending on the amount and kind of appliances. Typically, a boiler and a gas hob can cost between PS60 to PS90. This is a small cost to ensure that the buyer's new home is secure.
If a seller is not in a position to provide a valid gas safety certificate, it could be a problem. This is because the seller is not able to rent out the property until they get it renewed. The seller could also face severe fines from tenants as well as the council if found to not have a gas safety certification. It is not uncommon for buyers to ask for this information from the seller of a property.
It is still recommended that homeowners obtain gas safety certifications even though it's not required by law. This will allow them to avoid potential fatal issues like malfunctioning appliances or carbon monoxide leaks. In addition, it could make the home more attractive to prospective buyers in the near future.
Gas Safe Register will provide an original certificate to homeowners who has lost their gas safety certificate. It's a modest amount, but it's much better than not being able sell your home. Find out more by visiting the Gas Safe Register website. Additionally, you can also contact your local council or gas company directly to request a copy of your certificate. This is a simple process that should not take much time at all.