What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate includes all the inspections and tests an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections reduce the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning in your home.
The law stipulates that landlords must conduct these inspections every year. Gas Safe registered engineers must also conduct the inspections.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all the appliances and installations within your property have been checked by a licensed engineer to make sure they are safe to use. The flues and gas appliances must be inspected by a qualified engineer every year. This is a legal requirement to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who do not adhere to these regulations could face fines or even prosecution.
A gas engineer will carry out an extensive inspection of the house prior to issuing the document, which will contain specifics of the appliances and installations they test. It will also state whether they passed or failed the test. It will also include suggestions for further action if needed. The landlord's name and address will be recorded on the certificate, along with the date that the test was conducted.
Gas safety certificates are available in two different types that are domestic and non-domestic. The first is for residential properties like studios, homes and flats. The second one is for commercial properties, such as warehouses and offices. Both certificates must be renewed every year and the engineer will give an exact copy of every appliance they have examined.
Who should undergo gas safety inspections? Anyone who owns, leases or uses the property with any gas appliance of any kind. This includes private homeowners as well as housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues. Landlords are required to inspect their properties and issue the most recent Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally accountable for making sure that their tenants are secure in their homes whether they lease or own them.
If you own a property that is managed by an agent managing the property It is essential to make sure that they are the ones to organize the annual gas safety inspection and service. Having a managing agent doesn't mean you are free of the legal obligation to get the property tested and to provide your tenants with the most recent Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowners to keep their own records on gas safety however, they can be useful when selling the property as prospective buyers will be looking for evidence that the appliances are maintained and are safe. The TA6 form that forms part of the conveyancing process, also asks for the record of gas safety and it's a good idea have one before selling.
Who needs an Gas Safety Certificate?
Essentially everyone who owns a home or commercial property with gas appliances and pipework will need to be examined by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes landlords as well as building owners and even some tenants who may reside in a property which is managed by an agent who manages the property.
Landlords are bound by a variety of legal obligations, and one of them is to make sure that all flues, appliances, and fittings are examined and considered safe by a Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is referred to as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a crucial part of any rental property. It is against the law for landlords to rent properties without this document.
While homeowners aren't required to comply with the same legal obligations that landlords are required to follow, it's an excellent idea for them to undergo a gas Safety Check once a year. This will keep their boiler in good working order and highlight any problems that might require fixing.
The gas safety certificate is likely to have a header that displays the name and registration number of the engineer who performed the inspection, as well as the property address, postcode, and other pertinent identifiers. It will also include an inventory of all the appliances that were inspected, as well as a note of whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed to be unsafe and are identified as Not Compliant(NCS), Immediately Hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).
This document will be presented to homeowners at the end of the service. It should be stored safely to be used in the future. It is often an excellent idea for homeowners to have this document with them when they sell their house, since it will reassure potential buyers that the property is safe for gas.
What is included in a Gas Safety Certificate
A gas safety certificate contains an exhaustive list of all the gas appliances and infrastructure that an engineer has examined. The certificate also contains information on the engineer including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document typically begins with a header that displays the date and time of the inspection. It then lists the appliances that were examined, their status and any action taken or safety issues identified.
The gas safety certificate includes information about the property where the inspection was conducted along with the information of the landlord or managing agents. 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 and name and signature.
Landlords are required to conduct regular gas safety checks in their rented properties. This is to ensure that all the gas appliances and pipes are safe to use and there aren't any leaks or other hazards that could pose a risk for the occupants. The engineer will mark the certificate if any appliances are unsafe. Three codes are used to indicate the level of safety of the appliance: Immediately dangerous, at risk or Not Current Standards.
It is crucial for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates current and up to date, as they can be legally required when selling a property. As part of their due diligence, potential buyers can request the certificates and utilize them to pinpoint any issues they must fix before purchasing the property.
Landlords may arrange an inspection of their gas supply through an Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they can do it themselves using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that an annual Gas Safety Check is performed every year at a minimum to ensure that all appliances are in working order and do not pose any safety risks to the occupants.
It is not the responsibility of tenants to arrange for a gas safety certification or have their appliances checked. It is the responsibility of the landlord, who must arrange an annual inspection and issue a gas safety certificate to their tenants.
How she said will 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 differ based on the size and location of your property and the number of gas appliances that require inspection.
It is important to inform your tenants when the inspection will take place so they can prepare. It's important to explain the reason they should let the engineer to do the check. Some tenants are reluctant to give access due to the belief that it's an invasion of privacy or they might be at risk should they not allow the engineer to inspect the fireplace, boiler or other appliances. It is important to remind that this is an obligation under the law. They could also be subject to penalties or fines when an engineer is unable to access the boiler, fireplace, or any other appliances.
When the gas engineer is finished carrying out the inspection and has completed the inspection, they will give you a an original copy of your gas safety certificate. The certificate will include the date as well as the contact details of the engineer as well as your address for the property. It will also include a list of all the appliances and installations that were examined. It will also mention that any appliances or installations failed the tests and will detail any work that needs to be completed.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be an ordinary black and yellow document. landlord gas safety certificate will send you the certificate for every appliance or system they have examined. It is recommended to keep this certificate to refer to in the future, and you'll also need to give a copy to your tenants.
Your gas engineer will send you a copy of the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for 12 month from the date of inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to its expiration. You should also provide an original copy to any new tenants that move into your property.