As a landlord, you are responsible for ensuring your property is safe. One way to do that is to get a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate. To know why, read this blog till the end.
Being a landlord is an excellent way of earning passive income and gaining financial flexibility. Not only that, but you will be saving money for retirement or may achieve early retirement. It also helps build a strong portfolio. If you own multiple properties, it helps increase your net worth.
But with numerous advantages come multiple ethical and legal responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is ensuring your property is safe to live on. To do that, the most crucial obligation you must fulfil is to ensure the safety of all gas appliances on a property. A fundamental way to do that is to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate, or CORGI Proforma, or CP12.
In this blog, I will highlight what a landlord gas safety certificate is and why it is essential. So, if you are a landlord looking to rent out your property, read this blog until the end.
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, popularly known as CP-12, is a piece of documentation that ensures that a Gas Safe Registered Engineer has checked all the gas appliances in your property within the last 12 months and is free of any malfunctions that can endanger the safety of your tenants.
Why is a Gas Safety Certificate Necessary?
As a landlord, you are obligated to get a Gas Safety Certificate for your property, as it assures your tenants that there are no issues with the gas appliances in your property that can lead to carbon monoxide buildup, which could pose a severe threat to their health.
What is a Gas Safety Check, and How Long Does It Take?
A gas safety check is a process that includes a certified gas-safe engineer visiting your property and inspecting the appliances. During his inspection, he will check the flue to ensure that the harmful gases created during combustion are safely exiting outside your home. He will then inspect the ventilation passage and ensure there are no blockages.
As for the appliances, he will check that they are burning or operating at the correct pressure, including your boilers. Additionally, he will ensure the safety devices, such as the carbon monoxide alarms, are working correctly, just as they should.
It is also suggested that you ask the Gas Safe engineer to check the pipe work to ensure they aren’t connected loosely or damaged. After this complete inspection, you will be given a document by the engineer that will include the details of the assessment and will mention whether all the appliances were checked and recorded as safe or not. The paper will consist of the following information:
- Details of the Gas Safe Engineer, including name, ID number, and official signature
- day, date, and time frame of the inspection.
- Name and address details of the landlord
- Details regarding the location and condition of each piece of equipment in the home
- Details of the issues (if any) and remedial actions needed.
- A confirmation statement regarding the procedure, stating that it was conducted correctly and in compliance with the rules and regulations.
- The issuance of the following safety check generally occurs one year after the issuance date.
The landlord must maintain this document to keep a record.
What is the Legal Obligation Regarding the Gas Safety Certificate?
As for the law, a landlord is responsible for getting the CP-12 certificate before renting the property. If it expires during the tenancy period, the landlord must renew it within 12 months. Also, according to the law, the landlord must provide their tenants with a copy of the safety certificate within 28 days of them moving into your property.
Are There Any Legal Repercussions?
Yes, there are severe repercussions. According to the Gas Safety Regulations 1998, all landlords must inspect their property for gas safety. And if they fail to do so or neglect it by putting their tenant’s health at risk, they will be subject to legal actions that will lead to imprisonment and fines up to £20,000.
Who Can Perform a Gas Safety Check?
A gas safety check should only be performed by a certified gas-safe registered engineer. As it is illegal for a non-gas-safe registered professional to deal with or try to repair gas appliances. Also, all landlords are instructed to check the Gas Safe ID of the engineer when he visits your location.
What is The Cost of a Gas Safety Check?
To determine the exact cost, you will need to contact service providers and get a quote from them. They will talk you through the procedure and ask you for details, including the size of the property and the number of gas appliances. And then they will give you a quote and book your gas safety check appointment. But to give you a fair idea, expect to pay around £60 to £150.
Also, it is suggested that, as a landlord, you get yourself a boiler cover for tenants, which provides cover for boiler breakdown, central heating, and an annual boiler service, along with a CP12 certificate. That way, you will know that your property is safe and that tenants are protected.
What’s Next?
So here you have it. If you are a landlord and do not have the CP12 certificate or missed the inspection this year, you shouldn’t delay it anymore. Also, if your tenants aren’t comfortable giving access to the property, request their consent professionally, as it is a legal requirement for their safety and cannot be delayed or avoided. Please give them a 24-hour notice before the inspection and do what is necessary.
