What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate contains all the tests and inspections an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections help reduce the risk of poisoning with carbon monoxide at home.
Landlords are required by law to arrange these inspections on an annual basis. They must also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certification is an official document which confirms that the appliances and installations of your home have been examined by a qualified engineer. This assures you that they are safe for use. Gas appliances and flues must be inspected by a qualified engineer every year. This is a legal requirement to stop carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who fail to adhere to these regulations could face fines or even prosecution.
Before issuance of the document, gas engineers conduct a thorough inspection to determine the condition of all appliances and installations. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, and any suggestions for further actions. The name and address of the landlord will be listed on the certificate, along with the date on which the test was carried out.
There are two kinds of gas safety certificates for domestic and non-domestic. The first one 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 each year. The engineer will provide a copy of every appliance they have been examining.
Who is required to undergo a gas safety inspection? The answer is anyone who leases or owns out a home with any type of gas appliance or installation. This includes homeowners who are private as also housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues. Landlords are particularly required to get their properties inspected and to issue their tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable to ensure that their tenants are secure in their homes that they rent or own.
If you own a house that is managed by an agent managing the property It is essential to ensure that they are the ones to organize the annual gas safety inspection and service. The fact that you have a managing agent does not absolve you of your legal obligation to have your property tested and to provide your tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowner-occupiers to keep their own records of gas safety, they can be helpful when selling the property, as potential buyers will be looking for evidence that the appliances are maintained and are safe. In addition, the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process asks for a gas safety record which is why it's a good idea to have one prior to selling.
Who Needs a Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to examine any gas appliances or pipework within the domestic or commercial property. This includes landlords, building owners, and even tenants who live in a building which is managed by a managing agent.
Landlords are bound by a variety of legal obligations. One of them is to make sure that all flues, appliances and fittings are checked and certified safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is referred to as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is an essential element of any rental property. It is not legal for the landlord to let out any property without this certificate.
For homeowners, while they don't have the same legal obligations as landlords, it is still a good idea to have an annual gas Safety Check done once a year. This will help to keep their boilers and gas appliances in good shape and can also highlight any issues that need fixing, which can save them money in the long term.
The gas safety certificate will usually have a header that displays the name and registration number of the engineer who carried out the inspection, as well as the address of the property, postcode, and any other pertinent identification numbers. The certificate will also list the appliances that were tested and will indicate whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed unsafe, they are identified as Not Compliant(NCS) immediately hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).
The document is then given to the homeowner after the service, and is best kept safe for future reference. It is usually a good idea for homeowners to have this document when selling their home, as it will reassure potential buyers that the property is safe for gas.
What is included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
The gas safety certificate includes the list of all gas appliances and infrastructures that an engineer has examined. The certificate also includes details on the engineer such as their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document typically begins with a header that displays the date and time of the inspection. The document lists the appliances that were inspected along with their condition, as well as any safety issues or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate includes details of the property where the inspection took place, as well as the name of the landlord or managing agent. The certificate should include the address, postcode, and any other relevant identifiers to differentiate between different properties. The certificate should also contain the engineer's ID number as well as name along with the signature.
Landlords must perform regular gas safety checks in their rental properties. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipes are safe to use and that there aren't any leaks or other risks that could pose a danger for the occupants. The engineer will mark the certificate if any appliances are unsafe. Three codes are used to determine the level of safety of an appliance: Immediately Dangerous, At Risk or Not Current Standards.
It is crucial for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates up-to date, as they may be a legal requirement when selling the property. As part of their due diligence, potential buyers may request the records and use them to identify any issues they need to be able to fix prior to buying the property.
Landlords can arrange for an appointment for a Gas Safety Inspection with a Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they can conduct it themselves by using our user-friendly platform. We recommend conducting an Gas Safety Check at least once every 12 months, to ensure that all of the appliances are in good working in good condition and don't pose any danger to the occupants.
It is not the duty of tenants to obtain an annual gas safety certificate or have their appliances checked. This is the landlord's responsibility, who must arrange an annual inspection and issue an official gas safety certificate to their tenants.
How Much does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
Gas safety certificate s are an obligation that landlords must obtain to ensure the safety of their rental properties. The cost of a safety test for gas appliances can vary in accordance with the size of your home as well as the location and number of appliances.
It is important to inform your tenants and let them know when the inspection will take place to ensure that they are prepared for it. It's important to explain the reason they should permit an engineer to conduct the check. Some tenants are hesitant to allow access because they feel it is an invasion of privacy or they might be at risk should they not allow the engineer to examine the boiler, fireplace or other appliances. It's worth reminding them that it's a legal requirement, and could lead to them facing fines or even criminal charges if they do not allow access when a problem with your appliance is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning.
The gas engineer will give you an official copy of the certificate once the inspection is complete. It will include the date of the inspection, the engineer's details and your address for your home and a complete list of all installations or appliances that were tested. The report will also include any appliances or installations that failed the test and any work required.
Gas Safe certificates are usually in yellow and black, and your engineer will send you a copy for each appliance or installation they've inspected. This documentation should be kept for future reference and you should also provide copies to each tenant.
Your gas engineer will give you a copy the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for one month from the date of the inspection. You must ensure that you renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires. You must also give a copy of the Gas Safety Record to tenants who are about to move in.