What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certification is a document which lists all the tests and inspections that an engineer performs on your gas appliances. These inspections reduce the risk of poisoning with carbon monoxide at home.
The law stipulates that landlords must conduct these inspections annually. They must also be carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate is a legal document that proves that the installations and appliances of your property have all been checked by a qualified engineer. This assures you that they are safe to use. Gas appliances and flues should be inspected by a certified engineer each year. This is a legal requirement to ensure that carbon monoxide poisoning is not a problem and to avoid other serious accidents. Landlords that do not adhere to these rules could be fined or prosecuted.
Before issuance of the document, a gas engineer will conduct an extensive inspection to determine the condition of all appliances and installations. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further actions. The certificate will also include the name of the landlord, his address, and the date that the test was conducted.
There are two types of gas safety certificates that are domestic and non-domestic. gas safety certificate homeowner is intended for homes, flats and studios while the latter refers to commercial properties such as warehouses and office buildings. Both certificates need to be renewed annually and the engineer will provide the details of every appliance they have been examining.
Who needs gas safety checks? The answer is anyone who owns or rents out a property that has any type of gas appliance or installation. This includes private homeowners housing associations, housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues, as well as schools. Landlords are especially required to get their properties examined and issue their tenants with the latest Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants are secure in the homes they rent or own.
If you have a home that is managed by an agent who manages the property it is crucial to ensure that they are the ones to arrange the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent cannot let you out of the legal obligation to have the property tested, and also to provide your tenants with the Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowners to keep their own records of gas safety however, they can be useful when selling the property, as prospective buyers will be looking for evidence that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. Additionally, the TA6 form that is part of the conveyancing process asks for a gas safety report which is why it's a good idea to have one in place prior to selling.
Who is in need of a Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to examine any gas appliances or pipework that is in the domestic or commercial property. This includes landlords, building owner and some tenants who live in a building managed by an agency that manages the building.
Landlords are subject to a range of legal obligations, and one of these is to ensure that all flues, appliances and fittings are checked and considered safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are an essential part of every rental property. It is illegal for landlords to let out a property without this document.
In terms of homeowners, although they aren't subject to the same legal obligations as landlords, it is still a good idea take advantage of an annual Gas Safety Check done once a year. This will help to keep their boilers and gas appliances in good condition and also help to identify any issues that need fixing, which could save them money in the long term.
The gas safety certificate is likely to include a header that shows the name and registration number of the engineer who performed the inspection, as well as the property address, postcode and any other relevant identifiers. gas safety certificate grace period will also list all appliances that were inspected and indicate whether they passed or failed. If appliances are found to be unsafe and are identified as not Compliant(NCS) or Immediately Hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).
This document is then issued to the homeowner following the service has been completed and is best kept safe to be able to refer to it in the future. It is usually a good idea for homeowners to have this with them when selling their home, as it can reassure potential buyers that the property is safe for gas.
What is included in a Gas Safety Certificate
A gas safety certificate includes an exhaustive list of all gas appliances and infrastructure an engineer has examined. The certificate also contains details on the engineer such as their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document usually starts with an introduction that lists the date and location of the inspection. The document will then list the appliances that were inspected as well as their condition and any safety concerns or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate includes information about the property where the inspection was conducted as well as details of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate should include the address, postcode and any other relevant identifiers to differentiate the properties. It also contains the name of the engineer and Gas Safe Register ID number, as well as their signature.
Landlords are legally obliged to schedule regular gas safety inspections in their let properties. This is to ensure that all the gas appliances and pipes are safe to use and there are no leaks or other dangers that could pose a risk for the occupants. The engineer will stamp the certificate if the appliances are unsafe. There are three codes that signify the level of safety of an appliance three codes: Immediately Dangerous (ID) At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS).
It is important for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates up to date, as they can be legally required when selling a property. Potential buyers might request the records as part of their due diligence and can use them to spot any issues they need to address prior to purchasing the property.
Landlords can schedule a gas safety inspection with an Gas Safe registered engineer, or they can do it themselves using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that the Gas Safety Check is performed every year at a minimum to ensure that the appliances are in good properly and don't pose any safety risks to the residents.
It is not up to tenants to get the gas safety certification or have their appliances tested. It is the responsibility of the landlord to organize an annual inspection and issue the certificate of gas safety.
How Much is a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
A gas safety certificate is legally required for landlords in order to ensure that their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a gas safety inspection will vary depending on the size and location of your property as well as the number of gas appliances that require inspection.
It is crucial to inform your tenants of when the inspection is scheduled to take place so they can prepare. It's also helpful to explain the reason for them to allow access to allow the engineer to conduct the inspection. It's not uncommon for tenants to be hesitant to grant access as they may feel that it is a violation of their privacy or they may be at risk in the event that the engineer does not have access to examine the fireplace, boiler, or any other appliances. You must remind them that this is an obligation under the law. They could also be subject to fines or even criminal charges If an engineer is not able to access the boiler, fireplace or other appliances.
The gas engineer will send you the certificate after the inspection is completed. This will include the date of the service, the engineer's details as well as your property address and a complete list of all the appliances or installations that were checked. The report will also detail any appliances or installations that failed the test and any work that was required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be a standard black and white document, and your engineer will provide you with an original for each appliance or installation that they have inspected. Keep this document to refer to in the future, and you'll also need to provide a copy to your tenants.
The gas engineer will provide you a copy the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. You must make sure that you renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires. You should also provide a copy to new tenants when they move into your property.