What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certification is a document which lists all the tests and inspections engineers perform on your gas appliances. These inspections help reduce the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning at home.
The law requires that landlords conduct these inspections annually. They should also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certification is a valid document that proves that the appliances and installations of your property have all been examined by a qualified engineer. This assures you that they are safe for use. It's a legal requirement for landlords to have their flues and gas appliances inspected every year to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or other serious accidents. Landlords who do not comply with these rules could face fines or even prosecution.
Before issuance of the document, the gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess the condition of the appliances and installations. The report will show whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further actions. The landlord's name and address will be listed on the certificate, along with the date that the test was carried out.
Gas safety certificates are available in two different types: domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for residential properties, such as flats, studios, and homes. The other is for commercial properties like warehouses and offices. Both certificates need to be renewed each year. The engineer will provide an exact copy of every appliance they have been examining.
Who needs to have a gas safety inspection? The answer is anyone who owns or rents out a property with any type of gas appliance or installation. This includes homeowners who are private as in housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality establishments. Landlords are especially required to have their properties examined and issue their tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable to ensure that their tenants are secure in the properties they lease or own.
If you own a property that is managed by a managing agent, it is important to make sure that they are the ones to plan the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent will not disqualify you from the legal obligation to have your property tested, and to provide your tenants with a Gas Safety Record.
It's not required for homeowners to keep their gas safety records. However, they can be helpful when selling a property. Potential buyers will want to verify that the appliances are maintained and are safe. The TA6 form, which is part of the conveyancing process is also a requirement for the record of gas safety and it's a good idea have one prior to selling.
Who Needs a Gas Safety Certificate?
Essentially, anyone who owns a home or commercial property that has gas-powered appliances and pipes will need to have them examined by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This will include landlords as well as building owners and even tenants who live in a building that is managed by a managing agent.
Landlords have a number of legal obligations, and one of them is to make sure that all flues, appliances and fittings are examined and deemed safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is referred to as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a vital element of any rental property. It is unlawful for the landlord to let out any property without this certificate.
For homeowners, although they do not have the same legal obligations as landlords, it's still a good idea to take advantage of an annual Gas Safety Check done once a year. This will keep their boiler in good working order and identify any issues that may require fixing.
The gas safety certificate is likely to include a header that shows the name and registration number of the engineer who carried out the inspection, along with the address of the property, postcode, and other pertinent identifiers. It will also contain a list of all the appliances that were inspected and an indication of whether they passed or failed. If any appliance was found to be unsafe they will be labeled as not compliant (NCS) or immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
The document is then given to the homeowner following the service, and should be kept somewhere safe for future reference. It is often a good idea for homeowners to carry 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 the Gas Safety Certificate
A gas safety certificate includes an exhaustive list of all gas appliances and infrastructure an engineer has examined. The certificate also includes information on the engineer including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document typically begins with a header that displays the date and location of the inspection. The document will then list the appliances inspected, their condition, and any safety issues or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate contains specifics about the property where the inspection was conducted and the name of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate should include an address, postcode and any identifiers that differentiate different properties. It also includes the name of the engineer as well as Gas Safe Register ID number along with their signature.
Landlords are legally obliged to conduct regular gas safety inspections in their let properties. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipes are safe to use and there aren't any leaks or other hazards that could pose danger for the occupants. If any appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will mark them as unsafe on the certificate. There are three codes that show an appliance's safety level that are immediately dangerous (ID), At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS).
Gas safety certificates are a legal requirement for landlords who are selling their home. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers can request the certificates and use them to identify any issues they have to address prior to purchasing the property.
Landlords can schedule a gas safety check with a Gas Safe registered engineer, or they can do it themselves through our user-friendly platform. We recommend arranging an Gas Safety Check at least once every 12 months, to make sure that all of the appliances are in good working order and are not posing any danger to the occupants.
It is not the obligation of tenants to obtain an annual gas safety certificate or have their appliances inspected. This is the landlord's responsibility, who must schedule an annual inspection and issue a gas safety certificate to their tenants.
How Much does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
Gas safety certificates are legally required for landlords to must get to ensure the safety of their rental properties. The cost of a gas safety check will vary based on the size and location of your property as well as the amount of gas appliances that need inspection.
It's important to communicate with your tenants and let them know when the inspection is scheduled to take place to ensure that they are prepared for it. It's important to explain to them why they should permit the engineer to conduct the check. It's not uncommon for tenants to be hesitant to grant access because they feel it's an invasion of privacy or that they could be in danger in the event that the engineer does not have access to check the fireplace, boiler, or other appliances. It's important to remind them that it's a legal requirement and could also lead to being fined or even criminal charges if they do not allow access and an issue with one of your appliances is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning.
The gas engineer will send you the certificate after the inspection is completed. It will include the date of the service along with the details of the engineer's name and your address for your home, along with a full list of all appliances or installations that were tested. The report will also list the appliances or installations that failed the test, as well as any work required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be in the form of a standard black and yellow document, and your engineer will send you a copy for each appliance or installation that they have examined. The documentation should be saved to be used in the future and you must also give an original copy to each of your tenants.
The gas engineer will provide you a copy of the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is essential to renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires. You must also provide a copy to tenants who are about to move into the property.