Gas safety certificates are an essential part of maintaining safe properties. The cost of this inspection may surprise some landlords.
It's important for landlords to be aware of the factors that affect the cost of this service. Find out more here. Landlords could also think about an agreement for service which includes an annual gas safety certificate landlord safety inspection and boiler servicing.
Location
Millions of households across the UK depend on gas to power their homes. This means there is a lot of infrastructure to maintain and secure. This is the responsibility of landlords, who are governed by a myriad of regulations. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998 is one of them. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998 oblige landlords to conduct regular checks on all appliances that use gas in their properties. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety check or landlords gas certificate.
A CP12 gas safety check should be carried out by a qualified professional, and it covers several aspects of the property and its gas appliances. The engineer will check that the flues are in good working order, that the pipework is gas tight, and that the appliances are installed correctly. The engineer will also ensure that the gas appliances are working properly, and that the ventilation passages are free of obstructions.
The CP12 gas safety test is valid for 12 months and landlords are required to give a copy of the report to the new tenants prior to moving in. Landlords must keep records of each inspection for two years. Landlords must also provide current tenants the CP12 copy prior to when the expiration date.
It is therefore important that landlords choose a reliable and quick gas engineer. Requesting a few quotes prior to choosing a person to conduct the inspection will help ensure that you are paying an affordable price for the work. It's also a good plan to schedule the inspection for the summer since heating engineers tend to be more busy during winter.
Gas safety checks can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the size and quantity of gas appliances within the home. The longer it takes to complete the check the more expensive it will be.
It is important to know that the CP12 can only be provided by an Gas Safe registered engineer. This is to safeguard both the tenant's and landlord's interests. Landlords must always ask for a Gas Safe Register certificate to make sure that they get the most efficient service.
Number of Appliances
Landlords should ensure that all gas appliances, pipework and chimneys are in good order. They must also ensure that harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide, are properly removed from the premises and that ventilation passages are clear of obstructions. The landlord must always adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance, and any repairs should be carried out by a certified engineer.
The cost of a landlord's gas safety certificate will be contingent on a variety of factors such as location and the number of appliances. Gas inspections are generally more expensive in urban areas. Costs in rural areas are generally less expensive. Some companies offer bundle deals that include gas safety checks as well as boiler maintenance. This is an excellent way to reduce costs, particularly for landlords who have several properties or require regular maintenance of their boilers.
Landlord Gas Safety Records (also known as CP12s) are a legal requirement in the UK for landlords. They verify that gas appliances that are in their homes are safe to use. A landlord who doesn't have one may be subject to severe penalties and possibly legal action by tenants.
The annual inspection should be a regular cost in the landlord's maintenance budget. Landlords must shop around for estimates from Gas Safe engineers and compare prices before committing to any service. Landlords who rush to get their gas safety checks done before the expiry date should be prepared to pay more because this is a time-sensitive service.
Compare prices and also include any additional costs, such as the engineer's responsibility to test each appliance or if he's only required to inspect the appliance. Also, make sure whether the engineer is a Gas Safe registered one before booking an inspection. Landlords should be cautious about scheduling an urgent inspection because it is more expensive than an inspection that is scheduled regularly.
Type of Property
Landlord Gas Safety certificates are not only a legal requirement in the UK, but they also guarantee that tenants are secure and safe in their rental properties. Landlords who are aware of the cost and what these checks entail can ensure they are in compliance with all legal requirements and that their rental property is in good shape for tenants.
The type of property that is being inspected will have a big impact on how much the landlord's gas safety certificate replacement safety inspection will cost. For instance, a house with just one appliance may only require a quick check but if the property has multiple appliances such as gas boilers, a gas fire, or a gas hob, the inspection will be more in-depth. This will increase the cost of a gas safety certification.
It is worth noting that landlords are accountable for all the gas installations on their property, including flues, even if they are connected to appliances that are owned by tenants. This means that it is crucial for landlords to make sure that all appliances are in good order before letting them out.
If a landlord finds that one of the appliances is not in compliance with the standards, they must have them replaced immediately. The landlord can get assistance with this from Gas Safe registered engineers, or other experts in gas. Landlords should also check their gas safety every year and give their tenants a reasonable amount of notice.
Landlords must be aware that if they do not renew their Gas Safety Certificate, they could be served with a Section 21 notice by the Housing Association. It's also an excellent idea to set up an agreement for service with a Gas Safe engineer, so that they can have their annual inspections completed as part of this, which will save them time and money.
Many people still refer to the Gas Safety Record as a "gas safety check" despite the fact that the CORGI certificate has been replaced with an official document known as the Gas Safety Record (also known CP12). So, to avoid any confusion, it's best to always refer to the Gas Safety Record as a 'Gas Safety Certificate'.
Legal Obligations
If you own a property that is let out or rented out, you must have it inspected and provided with a gas safety certificate on an annual basis. This is a condition laid out in the Gas Safety Regulations and failure to follow the rules could result in serious penalties.
It is suggested that you search around when searching for a service to supply and carry out the gas safety test. Prices can differ significantly between companies and you should create a shortlist of three. You can also look for companies that provide a range of services like boiler servicing. These services may be slightly more expensive, but they will help you save money.
Before a company can issue a landlords gas safety certificate, they will have to verify that the engineer is Gas Safe registered. This can be done by examining their identity card which will include the photo with their name, as well as the dates of registration. Before allowing an engineer enter the property, the landlord should ask to see their credentials. If a landlord suspects an engineer is not valid, they should contact the Gas Safe Register to report them.
Landlords are responsible for the gas appliances that are located in their property and any that they install. They must ensure that chimneys or flues that are connected to gas appliances are included in the test. It is recommended that landlords includes these in the test even when the appliance was not supplied by them. Landlords aren't required to inspect the gas appliances that tenants bring into their rental property. However, they are required to ensure that the installation pipework that serves the appliances is part of a Gas Safety check.
If a tenant is refusing access to an Gas Safety Check, it is suggested that the landlord try to gain entry. Sending a letter outlining why access is needed and what safety checks will require is one way to do this. If the landlord still refuses access, he could take legal action.