It is important to make sure that properties are safe to live in. It is a legal obligation for every landlord to make sure their property has all the safety checks done before letting. Each gas and electrical appliance and installation in UK rented accommodation should be checked and certified safe. In the event of an accident you must be able to prove that all appliances have had an inspection and are classified safe. The only way you can be absolutely sure they are safe is to subject each appliance to gas and electrical safety checks in order to get them certificated with both an electrical and gas safety certificate (CP12) issued by one of Yorkshire Property Lettings’ qualified and certified engineers. Yorkshire Property Lettings are happy for landlords to use their own qualified assessors to provide a gas & electricity safety certificate provided these certificates are issued by a technician registered with the The Gas Safe Register. The Gas Safe Register superseded CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) as the sole legally recognised gas safety register in the UK on 1st April 2009. Certificates are valid for a year from the date they are issued. Landlords must have annual inspections for gas installations, and appliances in rented accommodation must be checked and certified safe. Penalties for infringement can be severe.

Not only can you be fined for not having proved that each appliance is safe, you can also be fined for causing carbon monoxide poisoning in the event of a defective gas appliance. Landlords cannot ignore their liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence. Gas installations can leak deadly carbon monoxide (CO), which is undetectable: you can't see it, smell it or even taste it but it could cause injury or death.

Electrical certificates: Landlord electrical certificates are another important part of ensuring the safety of your tenants and being able to prove that you have taken reasonable steps to do so. All electrical certification should be carried out by an electrician whom is registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installers and Contractors (NICEIC).

There are two types of electrical certificate:
Periodic Inspection Report (PIR): It is advisable to have a full electrical inspection carried out every five years. This examination investigates the state of the electrical wiring throughout the property and thoroughly checks the safety of the electrical installation.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT): It is also advisable to instruct an electrician to carry out PAT testing on all portable electrical appliances once a year. Portable electrical appliances are defined as any appliances that you supply with the property that can be plugged into the mains electricity (for example lamps, microwaves, portable electric heaters, TV etc.). The purpose of the PAT is to ensure that all portable electrical items provided with the property are electrically safe. The team with Yorkshire Property Lettings can arrange for gas and electrical safety checks designed to ensure you do not fall foul of the relevant legislation. For more details please call one of our staff who will help you ensure your property is safe and meets all the legal requirements.