Gas & Electric Certificate

Heidi_Jane

Hi,

I am considering letting out my apartment and the letting agent has told me to arrange for a gas & electric certificate. Who should I approach to do this for me at a reasonable cost (no idea how much I should pay)?

Many thanks

tbs624

The electrics need to be checked out by a fully competent person who has accreditation/approval from the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), or the Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland (SELECT), and make sure you use a CORGI registered person to do your annual servicing and certification.


You could contact your local Landlords' Association as they often keep a list of recommended plumbers, electricians, roofers etc. If you're paying a Letting Agent, make him work for his money - he should be able to make some suggestions.Go through the Yellow Pages and ring a few firms/individuals for quotes.

Your best bet is to have your gas boiler etc on annual service contract, that way the tenant can have also a direct phone number for if the boiler stops working.

You'll need to keep your Gas Cafety Certs for a minimum of two years, plus there must be a copy at the property for the Tenants.

See also here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm

clutton_2

there is no legal requirement for a electrical certificate - but landlords do have a Duty of Care for their tenants

tbs624

Clutton is absolutely right as regards electrical certification, but you will widen the appeal of your property by having one. Some insurers will look for evidence that you have had the electrical system checked out and to be on the Uni-approved Lists or similar you will in most cases be expected to have a certificate. Some local LL Associations also stipulate it as a pre-requisite to signing up to abide by their Code of Conduct.

clutton_2

if your electrics are ok you will get a cert for 5 or 10 years, so not too costly ....

TJ27

Also (sorry if I've mentioned this before and it may not apply to the OP) if your gaff forms part of a HMO then there definitely is a legal requirement to have an electrical certificate.

A lot of landlords seem to simplify things and think that there is no legal requirement for a PIR in any rented property. This is not the case. It depends on what sort of property it is.

simonne15_2

Since April 2008 there is a legal requirement to have the electrical certificate. I've just had mine done today and the electrician reminded me that in fact once granted, by law it has also to be checked by an approved qualified electrician every time there's a new tenant for reasons of ensuring that there hasn't been any tampering with the electrics, vandalism etc in the property.

chiefgoobster

My Corgi plumber charged me £70.

paintpot

please could you quote the law that came in in April 08 please as I am under the same impression as clutton.

thanks

simonne15 wrote: »

Since April 2008 there is a legal requirement to have the electrical certificate. I've just had mine done today and the electrician reminded me that in fact once granted, by law it has also to be checked by an approved qualified electrician every time there's a new tenant for reasons of ensuring that there hasn't been any tampering with the electrics, vandalism etc in the property.

clutton_2

""by law it has also to be checked by an approved qualified electrician every time there's a new tenant""

first i've heard of that - seems to me its a sparks looking for more work .....

zfrl

There is a legal requirement for the landlord to ensure the electrical installation is safe before the tenancy begins. A periodic inspection is the best way for a landlord to achieve this.