What sort of gas/boiler check do I need when renting out my property?

7sefton

Hi all,

Accidental landlord here, renting out my flat due to a job relocation.

I've found tenants and now need to get the EPC and Gas Safety certificates done.

I've found the cheapest EPC for £34 (if you know any better please let me know!), but I'm confused about what sort of gas check I need and what the cheapest option is:

I have a boiler and gas hob... just using OpenRent as an example, they offer a 'Gas Safety Certificate' for £45, or a 'Boiler Service' for £55. Do I need both, or just one (and which one is the 'minimum' I need)?

Thanks!

need_an_answer

The minimum would be the CP12 gas safety certificate at £45....the boiler service would be something you may want to consider......

However in terms of being a LL I would suggest you read up a little more about running your business.

Minimum and cheapest are not always the words that tenants like to hear.
And the term accidental LL is just an excuse for your inability to comply and your ignorance on a very real subject!

GM's links are here for some good basic advice https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5180214/tenancies-in-eng-wales-guides-for-landlords-and-tenants

anselld

You need a gas safety certificate. Make sure copies are given to tenant before start of tenancy. ( EPC should have been done before marketing).

... and there is no such thing as accidental Landlord.

7sefton

need_an_answer wrote: »

The minimum would be the CP12 gas safety certificate at £45....the boiler service would be something you may want to consider......

However in terms of being a LL I would suggest you read up a little more about running your business.

Minimum and cheapest are not always the words that tenants like to hear.
And the term accidental LL is just an excuse for your inability to comply and your ignorance on a very real subject!

GM's links are here for some good basic advice https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5180214/tenancies-in-eng-wales-guides-for-landlords-and-tenants

Thanks for the information - I appreciate it.

But what would the difference be between a CP12 gas safety certificate and a boiler check (and does a boiler check automatically cover a CP12, or are they separate things)?

need_an_answer

The boiler service is just that...a service the cp12 is like an MOT certificate...and is what is required by law.

Please read up on the CP12 certification..google it and you will then understand the importance of obtaining one and your obligation and any penalty should you not comply

When you buy a car its advisable to get it serviced,but its imperitive you get the MOT.

does that make it clearer in simple terms?

7sefton

It's called Money Saving Expert, not Spend Unnecessarily Expert

need_an_answer

7sefton wrote: »

It's called Money Saving Expert, not Spend Unnecessarily Expert

as a LL the buck will stop with you.

You can choose not to comply or perhaps to wriggle out of your obligations if you think that's the best way forward.
However experience as a LL has taught me that the better tenants are the ones that you respect also!

Forgive me if I too suggest that this is a leap into the unknown that you are taking and tenants are much more savvy than you may think!

do you have consent to let from your mortgage company and your managing company if its a leasehold property that you own?
Just checking...its another important thing that you could decide to ignore but you do so at your peril.

G_M

OK you've sussed you need an EPC and gas safety report (as explained this just checks safety, it is not a service).

But have you done

* Right to Rent checks on the tenants? Got passport photocopies etc?
* given them the How to rent leaflet required by law?
* Got mortgage lender CTL or BTL?
* Got freeholder consent (if leasehold)?
* Got LL insurance?
* Done a proper inventory?
* Checked the electrics?
* learned about your tax obligations


Really understanding all these things should come way before lining up tenants......


Are you familiar with the new Tenant Fees Act 2019? And deposit leglislation?


See

** Tenancies in Eng/Wales: Guides for landlords and tenants

Topics covered:

* Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new tenant protection (2015)

* Deposits: payment, protection and return

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

* Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?

* Repossession: what if a LL's mortgage lender repossesses the property?

* New landlords (1):advice & information :see links in next post

* New landlords (2): Essential links for further information

* Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?

AdrianC

7sefton wrote: »

It's called Money Saving Expert, not Spend Unnecessarily Expert

You're quibbling over a tenner to service the boiler at the same time as doing the legally required GSC.

Lokolo

AdrianC wrote: »

You're quibbling over a tenner to service the boiler at the same time as doing the legally required GSC.

No. The boiler service is £55 on itself. So it would be £100 to do both.

AdrianC

Lokolo wrote: »

No. The boiler service is £55 on itself. So it would be £100 to do both.

If that really is the case, then find somebody else, because they're halfwits.