What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate is a document that contains all the tests and inspections that an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections lower the chance of poisoning by carbon monoxide at home.
Landlords are required by law to conduct these inspections on a regular basis. They must also be carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate is an official document that demonstrates that all the appliances and installations within your home have been examined by a licensed engineer to make sure they are safe to use. The flues and gas appliances must be inspected by an experienced engineer every year. This is a legal requirement to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords that do not comply with these regulations may be prosecuted or fined.
Before issuing the document gas engineers conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess the state of all appliances and installations. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, and any recommendations for further action. The certificate will include the landlord's name, address and the date the test was conducted.
There are two types of gas safety certificates for domestic and non-domestic. The first one is for residential properties like flats, studios, and homes. The other is for commercial properties like offices and warehouses. Both certificates need to be renewed annually and the engineer will issue a copy of each appliance they have inspected.
Who should undergo an inspection for gas safety? Anyone who owns, leases or has an apartment or property that is equipped with any gas appliance of any kind. This includes private homeowners, housing associations and local authorities, hotels and other hospitality venues, as well as schools. Landlords are required to inspect their properties and provide the most recent Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally responsible for making sure that their tenants are secure in their homes, whether they rent or own them.
If you have a home that is managed by an agent who manages the property It is essential to ensure that they are the ones who plan the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent can't let you out of the legal obligation to have your property tested, and also to give your tenants 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 it comes to selling the property since potential buyers will want proof that the appliances are maintained and are safe. The TA6 form that forms part of the conveyancing procedure, also asks for an evidence of gas safety 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 in the domestic or commercial property. This includes landlords and building owners, as well as even some tenants who may reside in a house that is managed by an agent who manages the property.
Gas Safe engineers must check and certify that all appliances, flues and fittings in rental properties are safe for a period of 12 months. This is known as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a crucial part of any rental property. It is unlawful for landlords to let out a property without this document.
Although homeowners don't have to adhere to the same legal obligations that landlords must, it's recommended to get a gas Safety Check once a year. This will ensure that their boiler and all gas appliances in good shape and can also highlight any issues that require fixing, which could save them money in the long term.
The front of the gas safety certificate is likely to include the registration and name of the person who conducted the inspection as well as any other identifiers relevant to the inspection. It will also contain an inventory of all appliances that were inspected, as well as the information on whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed to be unsafe and are identified as Not Compliant(NCS) or Immediately Hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).
This document will be given to the homeowner at the conclusion of the service. It should be kept securely for future reference. This document is an excellent idea for homeowners when they are selling their home. It can assure buyers that the property is gas-safe.
What is included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
The gas safety certificate includes the list of all gas appliances and infrastructures an engineer has been examining. The certificate also includes details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document will usually begin with a header that lists the date and location of the inspection. Then, it shows the appliances that were examined, their status and any action taken or safety concerns that were discovered.
The gas safety certificate includes information about the property where the inspection was conducted, along with the information of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must include an address, a postcode and any identifiers that distinguish between properties. It also includes the name of the engineer and Gas Safe Register ID number along with their signature.
Landlords are legally obliged to conduct regular gas safety checks at their let properties. It is important to check that the gas appliances and pipes can be used safely and that there are no leaks or other dangers that could pose a danger to the residents. If gas safety certificate homeowner are found be unsafe the engineer will mark them as such on the certificate. Three codes are used to indicate the level of safety of an appliance: immediately Dangerous, At Risk or Not Current Standards.
Gas safety certificates are an obligation for landlords who are selling their property. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers can request the certificates and use them to identify any issues they must fix before purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange a Gas Safety Check through a Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they can conduct it themselves with our user-friendly platform. We suggest arranging an Gas Safety Check at least every 12 months, to make sure that all appliances are in good condition and do not pose any safety risks to residents.
It is not the responsibility of tenants to get the gas safety certification or have their appliances tested. It is the responsibility of the landlord to conduct an annual inspection and issue an official certificate of gas safety.
How Much does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
A gas safety certificate is legally required for landlords to ensure that their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a gas safety check will vary depending on the size and the location of your property, as well as the amount of gas appliances that need being checked.
It is crucial to inform your tenants of when the inspection is scheduled to take place so they can prepare. It is also helpful to explain why it's important to allow access to allow the engineer to perform the check. Some tenants are reluctant to give access due to the belief that it's an invasion of privacy or might be at risk if they don't allow the engineer to examine the boiler, fireplace or other appliances. It's worth reminding them that it's a legal requirement, and could result in the tenant facing fines or criminal charges if they fail to permit access if there is a problem with your appliance is discovered, for instance, carbon monoxide poisoning.
The gas engineer will provide you an official copy of the certificate once the inspection is complete. The certificate will contain the date and the contact information 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 inspected. The report will also detail the appliances or installations that failed the test as well as any work that was required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be an ordinary black and yellow document. Your engineer will give you the certificate for every appliance or system they have examined. The certificate should be kept for future reference and you should also provide copies to each tenant.
Your gas engineer will also provide you with a copy the Gas Safety Record, which will be valid for 12 months 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 to new tenants when they move in.