Gas Safety Certificates in Lordswood

Landlord Gas Safety Requirements

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are clear: landlords must arrange an annual gas safety inspection for every rental property. The law does not distinguish between short-term and long-term lets, or between a single property and a large portfolio. Every gas appliance in every rented property must be checked every year.

Your obligations as a Lordswood landlord:

• Annual inspection of all gas appliances you own — typically the boiler, and potentially a gas fire, gas cooker, or gas water heater if provided
• CP12 certificate delivered to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before occupancy
• Minimum two-year record retention for all certificates
• Reasonable access — you must arrange and document access attempts
• Non-compliance risks — unlimited fines, criminal prosecution, and personal liability for any gas incident

Our inspection covers:

• Full operational check of every gas appliance in the property
• Flue testing to confirm safe venting of combustion products
• Ventilation adequacy assessment
• Gas pipework visual inspection
• Safety device testing
• CP12 certificate issued on completion

How the Inspection Works

Step 1: Book Call 01634 979 595. We schedule the inspection at a time that works for you and your tenant.

Step 2: Inspect Our Gas Safe registered engineer inspects every gas appliance, flue, and section of accessible pipework. A standard Lordswood property inspection takes approximately 30 minutes.

Step 3: Certify The CP12 is issued on the spot if all appliances pass.

Step 4: Report Any Issues If an appliance fails, we explain the defect and its classification, and discuss remedial options.

Gas Safety in Lordswood's Family Homes

Lordswood's housing was built across roughly two decades, and the gas installations reflect the prevailing standards of each period. Understanding what to expect helps landlords anticipate potential issues before the inspection.

Properties from the 1970s phase of the Lordswood development were typically fitted with conventional boilers and, in many cases, gas fires in the living room. The boilers have usually been replaced at least once, but some gas fires remain in their original form. These older fires use open flues or decorative flue systems that can deteriorate with age. Our inspection includes a thorough check of the flue and the fire itself, testing for safe combustion and proper venting.

The 1980s properties tend to have early combi boilers or later-generation conventional boilers. Many of these have been replaced in recent years, but some are still in service. A boiler that is 20 years old may still pass a gas safety check if it is well maintained, but it is worth being aware that older boilers are more likely to develop faults that affect safety.

One factor specific to Lordswood's cul-de-sac estates is that many properties have integral or attached garages that have been converted to living space. If the conversion involved relocating or adding gas appliances or pipework, this work should have been carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. During our inspection, we check all gas installations in the property, including any in converted spaces.

Lordswood's long-term tenancy patterns mean that landlords sometimes defer the gas safety inspection because the tenant has been in place for years and "there have never been any problems." This is a dangerous assumption. Gas appliances can develop faults gradually, and carbon monoxide leaks in particular produce no visible signs. The annual inspection exists precisely to catch problems that are not apparent during normal daily use.