What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate is a document which includes all the tests and inspections that an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning within your home.
The law obliges landlords to conduct annual inspections of their properties. 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 which confirms that the installations and appliances of your property have all been inspected by a certified engineer. This assures you that they are safe to use. It is a legal requirement for landlords to have their gas appliances and flues checked every year to avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who do not comply with these regulations may be penalized with fines or even a prosecution.
A gas engineer will carry out a thorough inspection of the home prior to issuing the document, which will contain specifics of the appliances and installations that they tested. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, and any suggestions for further actions. The landlord's name and address will be recorded on the certificate, along with the date that the test was carried out.
There are two types of gas safety certificates for domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for residential properties, such as flats, studios, and homes. The second one is for commercial properties like warehouses and offices. Both certificates need to be renewed annually and the engineer will issue a copy of every appliance they have inspected.
Who should undergo a gas safety inspection? Anyone who owns, rents or uses a property that has any type of gas appliance. This includes homeowners who are private, housing associations and local authorities, hotels and other hospitality venues, as well as schools. 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 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 managing the property, it is important to ensure that they are the ones to arrange the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent's appointment does not absolve you of your legal obligation to get the property tested and provide your tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowner-occupiers to keep their own gas safety records, they can be helpful when it comes to selling the property, as prospective buyers will be looking for evidence that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. In addition the TA6 form that is part of the conveyancing process will ask for a record of gas safety and it's recommended to have one in place prior to selling.
Who needs a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence everyone who owns a home or commercial property with gas-powered appliances and pipes is required to have them examined by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes landlords and building owners, as well as even tenants who reside in a house that is managed by an agent who manages the property.
Landlords are subject to a range of legal obligations. One of these is to ensure that all flues, appliances and fittings are examined and considered safe by a Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is known as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a vital part of any rental property. It is unlawful for landlords to rent the property without this certificate.
In the case of homeowners, although they don't have the same legal obligations as landlords, it's nevertheless a good idea to have a gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that their boiler and other gas appliances in good shape and also help to identify any issues that need fixing, which could save them money in the end.
The gas safety certificate is likely to have a header that displays the name and registration number of the person who conducted the inspection, along with the property address, postcode, and any other pertinent identifications. The certificate will also list all appliances that were examined and note whether they were successful or not. If any appliance was found to be unsafe, they will be marked as not compliant (NCS) or Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
The document will be handed to the homeowner at the conclusion of the service. It should be saved safely for future reference. It is an excellent idea for homeowners to have this document with them when they sell their house, since it can reassure potential buyers that the property is safe for gas.
What is Included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate contains the complete list of all the gas appliances and infrastructure an engineer has checked. It also includes information about the engineer including their name and Gas Safe Register ID number. The document usually starts with the header, which displays the date and time of the inspection. The document then lists the appliances checked, their condition, and any safety concerns or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate includes specifics about the property where the inspection was conducted, as well as the name of the landlord or managing agent. The certificate must include an address, postcode and any identifiers that differentiate different properties. The certificate must also contain the engineer's ID number and name and signature.
Landlords are legally obligated to conduct regular gas safety checks in their properties that they let. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipes are safe to use and that there are no leaks or other risks that could pose a risk to the occupants. If any appliances are found be unsafe the engineer will mark them as unsafe on the certificate. There are three codes that show the safety rating of an appliance three codes: Immediately Dangerous (ID), At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS).
Gas safety certificates are an obligation for landlords who are selling their home. Potential buyers might request the documents as part of their due diligence and can use them to spot any issues they need to address prior to buying the property.
Landlords may arrange an appointment for a Gas Safety Inspection with a Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they may do it themselves with our user-friendly platform. We recommend conducting an Gas Safety Check at least every 12 months, to make sure that all appliances are in good working condition and do not pose any danger to the occupants.
It is not the obligation of tenants to obtain the issue of a gas safety certificate, or have their appliances inspected. This is the responsibility of the landlord, who is required to arrange an annual inspection and issue a gas safety certificate to their tenants.
What is the cost of a Gas Safety Certificate cost?
A gas safety certificate is legally required for landlords to ensure their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a safety test for gas appliances will vary in accordance with the size of your home as well as the location and number of appliances.
It's important to communicate with your tenants and inform them when the inspection will take place so that they can be prepared for it. It's also a good idea to explain the reason they should allow an engineer to conduct the inspection. It's not uncommon for tenants to be reluctant to allow access to their property because they believe it's an invasion of privacy or that they could be at risk when the engineer doesn't have access to examine the fireplace, boiler, or any other appliances. It is important to remind that this is legally required. It is also possible to face fines or even criminal charges If an engineer is not able to access the fireplace, boiler or any other appliance.
The gas engineer will provide you the certificate after the inspection is completed. The certificate will include the date as well as the contact details of the engineer along with your address at the property and the list of all appliances and installations 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 give you a copy of every appliance or installation that they have inspected. This documentation should be kept for future reference. You must also give a copy to each of your tenants.
landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service will provide you with a copy of the Gas Safety Record, which is valid for 12 months from the date of inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to its expiration. You should also give the certificate to any new tenants that move into your property.