The Landlord’s Winter Checklist: Gas Safety Certificates and Beyond

As winter approaches, landlords now face a dual responsibility to protect valuable property and assets from the effects of cold weather, while also upholding their duty to keep tenants warm and safe.

The truth is that the low temperatures always bring a wave of urgent call-outs to failing boilers and heating emergencies. If you prepare early with our winter checklist, you can catch problems before they develop and make sure your property is ready to face the winter.

In this article, the PlumbGas Services Ltd team will be taking you through this winter checklist so you can be proactive and reduce the likelihood of emergencies.

Your winter maintenance checklist for rental properties

Make sure you’ve covered any legal obligations with this winter maintenance checklist, and always consult with a professional if you’re in any doubt.

• Schedule your annual gas safety inspection

As the landlord, it is your legal duty to arrange an annual gas safety check for all gas appliances, pipes and flues at your property. This duty is in line with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 which demands that a Gas Safe-registered engineer inspects your ventilation, gas tightness, burner pressure, flue flow and safety devices on all relevant appliances each year.

Once this check has been completed, you are issued a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) which you can give to existing tenants within 28 days or to new tenants before they move in. You are solely responsible for paying for the landlord gas safety checks and must not charge tenants for the inspection.

Here at PlumbGas Services Ltd, we contact tenants directly on your behalf to arrange access, removing any back-and-forth communication for you or the letting agent.

• Ensure you have carbon monoxide alarms

You are legally required to install carbon monoxide alarms in all rooms with fuel-burning appliances and gas boilers. All of the CO alarms at your property can be supplied, installed and tested during gas safety checks.

• Book a pre-winter boiler servicing

While a gas safety inspection is a legal obligation, a pre-winter boiler servicing is optional. However, it’s highly recommended that you engage with this preventative measure to avoid winter lock-outs and boiler problems. Common failures can occur from frozen or clogged condensate pipes, sludge build-up and radiator airlocks, which a pre-winter or annual boiler servicing can catch before they worsen.

• Pipe insulation

To reduce the likelihood of exposed pipes freezing, you may want to insulate them with lagging or foam sleeves. This is especially recommended in unheated areas, such as basements, lofts and garages.

• Advise your tenants

Issue some useful advice to tenants on maintaining trickle heating during winter holidays or long absences. You should also recommend they test their heating and check their boiler pressure before the cold months approach.

• Arrange a Landlord Care Plan

Enjoy peace of mind for your property with a Landlord Care Plan, designed specifically for buy-to-let owners and letting agents. Here at PlumbGas Services Ltd, we provide landlord boiler care plans for a small monthly fee which includes the following:

• CP12 Gas Safety certificate
• Annual boiler servicing
• 24/7 emergency response
• Tenant liaison service
• Boiler & controls cover

With all the boiler services you need included in one affordable sum each month, you know that everything is taken care of without the hassle of arranging each individual service, and without the threat of emergency call-out fees.

Here at PlumbGas Services Ltd, we provide reactive plumbing and heating services throughout the West Midlands, including Stafford, Stone and Uttoxeter. With dedicated care plans for homeowners and landlords, we handle all of your needs with just one easy and affordable payment every month. Please contact us for more information.