Why Landlords Should Keep Their Gas Safety Certificates Up to Date

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances conform with the regulations and are safe. Failure to do so could result in fines and may compromise the safety of tenants.

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

It is legally required to have your gas pipework, appliances and flues tested every year. But some landlords struggle to gain access to their properties and are forced to shorten their inspection cycle.

It's a legal requirement

It's important that you keep your gas safety certificate up-to-date, whether you are a landlord who has one property or a portfolio of rental properties. A fine or even a criminal prosecution could be the result of failing to comply. There are also some practical advantages to having your gas appliances examined and a valid certification displayed in each property.

The gas safety certificate includes information such as date of inspection, address of the property which was inspected, information about every appliance, their current status as well as the name and ID number of the engineer that conducted the inspection. It also lists any appliances that are deemed unsafe for use' and suggests ways to fix the problem. If the engineer discovers unsuitable appliances they'll issue an "ID" code. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk but not immediately dangerous it will be issued an "AR" code.

Tenants can refuse access for a safety check. This can cause problems in the relationship between landlords and tenants. However, landlords must make every effort to be in compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. This includes making multiple attempts to perform the checks and writing to the tenant stating that this is a legal requirement for their own security. It's also a good idea to include access arrangements in the lease agreement.

The landlords must also make sure that they display a copy of their gas safety certificates in every property. This will prevent tenants from moving into homes that have unsafe gas appliances and permit potential tenants to see the record of safety inspections. A gas safety certificate will also help you establish credibility as a responsible landlord. This will attract more tenants.

In addition to ensuring that your gas equipment is safe, signing an annual service contract with an Gas Safe Registered Engineer can save your time and money in the long term. Many gas companies offer discounted prices on annual Gas Safety Certificates. It's a good idea to shop around and find the best price for you.

It's a great idea

As an owner, it is your duty to ensure the safety of all gas appliances in your property. Gas Safe engineers can perform regular inspections to find and correct issues before they become more dangerous and serious. Regular inspections also assist in keeping gas boilers, and other equipment, in good working condition which will allow them to last for longer.

Landlords are legally required to possess an active Gas Safety Certificate for each of the gas appliances that are installed in their properties. Without these certificates, landlords could face huge fines and could discover that their appliances are unsafe for tenants. It's not difficult to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate for your home by hiring a qualified engineer and scheduling an appointment.

A yearly gas check is the minimum requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations, but it's a good idea to conduct more frequent inspections, especially if your property was left empty for a long period of time. This is due to the fact that appliances can be tampered with or the gas supply could have been turned off while the property was not being used.

When it comes to re-letting your home, it is essential to have a current gas safety report before you can hand keys to new tenants. A re-inspection is also necessary in the event that the older appliances have been used by the tenants or any work has been done on the gas system since your last inspection.

It's a great idea request your tenant to give access to their property before any inspection. If they're not willing to give access, you can write an unambiguously written letter stating the reason for access and what the gas safety inspection will involve. If they are still refusing to allow access, you can begin the eviction process by sending them an official notice under section 21.

certificate cost is your number one priority. You must have an Gas Safety Certificate on all of your gas appliances. If you don't, you risk losing your tenancy deposit and potentially face legal action from your 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 a Gas Safe engineer.

It's a thorny issue

Some aren't happy with the landlord gas safety inspections. It's not just a legal requirement, but it's also good sense to ensure that tenants are using appliances that have been inspected by experts. If something goes wrong it could cause a catastrophic gas-hazard incident which would be very bad news for anyone who lives within or around the property.

Certain tenants, however, aren't willing to permit these inspections. This is reasonable. They may think that it is a violation of their privacy or believe that the check is some sort of ploy to observe them or their habits. But landlords need to bear in their minds that they are legally bound to conduct these inspections, and are only able to do so when tenants allow them access to their property.

It can be difficult for landlords to have to deal with tenants who are unreliable especially if they have multiple properties. It's also important for landlords to remember that if they fail to obtain their gas safety certificate they could face hefty fines and tenants may not be permitted to move in until the problem is addressed.

It's also an excellent idea for landlords to save copies of the gas safety certificate in case the property is ever repossessed. If the previous tenants do not have a copy of the certificate, they may not be able prove that the inspections were conducted correctly. It's worth keeping an archive in case of need.


If a landlord fails to provide their tenants a copy the gas safety certificate within the timeframe of 28 days of conducting an inspection, they can be charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). So if you're a tenant, it's recommended to get one from your landlord immediately.

Landlords must keep their Gas Safe certificates up to current and to share copies with their tenants. Gas Safe offers them online at a quick and simple procedure. The certificate is not expensive depending on where you're located and how many appliances are checked, it costs between PS50 and PS90.

It's not expensive

When you think about the expenses of renting a property, you probably don't consider the cost of gas safety inspections. This is a legal requirement and should not be ignored. It will ensure that your tenants are protected and you can provide an official certificate in the event that any problems arise. Plus, it can help you avoid costly repairs in the future.

It's also important to remember that a landlord must maintain their pipes, appliances and flues in good condition. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide, a serious health risk. This can be caused by faulty fires, gas cookers, and boilers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas that is tasteless, odourless and tasteless that isn't detectable without specialized equipment. It's essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in each home and to check them frequently and also check the condition of gas appliances.

The cost of a landlord gas safety check can vary slightly from engineer to engineer. You can find a fair price by entering your postcode online and comparing estimates. You can inquire about discounts if there are multiple properties that need to be inspected. Some engineers offer deals when you combine inspections.

Another factor that affects the cost of a gas safety test is the location of your house. Landlords who reside in areas with high-end amenities like London will have to pay more for a gas safety inspection than those who live in less well-off regions or remote areas.

Landlords should also be aware of the possibility that tenants will refuse to let access to conduct a verification. This is often due to tenants' fear of invasion of privacy or suspicions of snooping. A carefully written note outlining your motives for gaining access to their home should convince them.

If the tenant continues to refuse access to the property, the landlord may decide to make the inspection mandatory. This includes giving the tenant a Section 21 notice, but the court will determine whether this is reasonable. The most effective thing for the landlord to do is communicate with the tenant to explain why a gas safety check is necessary.