Privately rented properties make up one-fifth of all households in the UK as of 2022. This means that around 4.6 million houses are rented out by private landlords each year. Considering how significant private rental properties are, it is only logical that there are certain regulations that private landlords must abide by.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 legislation forms the basis of rules governing gas safety in the UK. The health and safety legislation, which has been amended since it was first passed in 1998, defines the responsibilities of various stakeholders. It details the duties that must be fulfilled if gas safety is to be ensured.
Gas Safety Requirements for Private Landlords
Here are some basic requirements that private landlords must fulfill if they wish to rent out property:
· Annual Gas Safety Inspection
Private landlords must conduct gas safety inspections every year without fail. Failure to comply with this rule within a six-month grace period will incur a fine. Aside from this, financial losses will also occur due to the landlord’s ability to rent out the property. After all, tenants must be given a copy of the latest gas safety certificate CP12 that is still valid; more on this later.
Gas safety checks are a simple affair even though there are many misconceptions surrounding the subject. Check out details on gas safety inspection down below.
· Retain Gas Safety Certificates
It is not enough to get a gas safety inspection conducted. Private landlords must keep a record of the two latest gas safety checks conducted on the property. In short, landlords must have the current gas safety certificate that is still valid and the certificate from the previous year.
Having a record provides evidence that the landlord is consistent and regular about gas safety checks. It makes the gas safety of a property more robust and reliable.
· Give Tenants a Copy of the CP12
A copy of the latest gas safety certificate must be provided to the tenants by the landlord. This is a legal requirement, which is why landlords cannot rent out property unless they have had a gas safety inspection done on their property within the past 12 months.
A copy of the certificate must be provided to new tenants before their move while existing tenants must be provided the copy within 28 days of the inspection being conducted. Failure to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can result in a dissolution of the rental agreement and tenants may even take the legal route to rectify the situation.
· Regular Upkeep
Private landlords must not leave gas safety entirely to annual gas safety checks. Regular repairs and maintenance of the gas connection and gas appliances are a necessary part of gas safety measures. They must address safety concerns raised by tenants as soon as possible.
Regular upkeep is the responsibility of the landlords, as they are the legal owners of the property. Repairs and maintenance of rented property is a continuous process and gas safety is no different.
Gas Safety Checks Explained
Landlords must be aware of what gas safety checks are and how to go about them before getting an appointment for an inspection. Below are the key facts about gas safety checks:
· Need to be Conducted Regularly
Gas safety is an ongoing process. Having a gas safety inspection done does not mean that your property is safe from all kinds of gas-related issues forever. Ideally, gas safety checks should be conducted regularly. It is recommended that homeowners get an inspection done every year.
Private landlords are legally required to have gas safety checks completed annually. So, there is no excuse for not getting the inspection done.
· Must be Done by a Registered Gas Safety Engineer
Only registered gas safety engineers can issue a valid gas safety certificate CP12. You can easily verify whether a gas safety engineer you are hiring is registered or not by visiting the official website. Many companies provide residential gas services, however, it is your responsibility to verify whether they can issue an acceptable gas safety certificate or not.
· The Gas Safety Check is Simple
Gas safety checks involve minimal hassle and with many companies offering online booking facilities, it is made even easier. You can conveniently schedule an inspection according to the date and time that suits you. Once the appointment is set make sure that you or someone familiar with the property is available onsite to guide the gas safety engineer.
Generally, the inspection takes around 30 to 45 minutes, given everything goes smoothly, and the gas safety engineer detects no problems. Once the gas safety engineer is satisfied, they will issue the certificate.
In case the gas safety engineer detects a problem they will inform you of the issue immediately. They may even conduct small repairs if necessary. If, however, there is a major issue, like a major gas leak or problem with the broiler, etc. you will have to address the issue promptly to avoid any accidents.
· Inspection Cost
Gas safety checks are not free. On average a gas safety check may cost you between £60 to £90. Yet, this is a very small price to pay for protection and safety. Additionally, this is a yearly cost and if you spread it over 12 months, the cost is negligible.
· Inspection is Not the End
Gas safety checks are just one of the many gas safety measures that property owners must adopt. Simply having an annual gas safety inspection does not mean that you do not implement any other measure. Vigilance, timely repairs, constant maintenance of gas connections and appliances, and carbon monoxide detectors are among the additional safety measures that need to be in place as well.
Being Responsible
Private landlords have plenty of responsibilities regarding ensuring that the property they are renting out is safe, well-maintained, and fulfills all legal requirements. Protecting tenants and guaranteeing their safety while they are on your property is a key aspect of landlord responsibilities.
Gas safety is critical to the overall safety of your property. As a result, annual gas safety checks are compulsory for private landlords. Gas safety inspections are convenient and cause minimal disruption. Aside from gas safety checks other gas safety measures need to be in place to maximize safety.
