What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate is a document which contains all the tests and inspections engineers perform on your gas appliances. These inspections reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning within your home.
Landlords are legally required to conduct these inspections on a regular basis. They must also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certification is a valid document that demonstrates that the appliances and installations of your property have all been inspected by a certified engineer. This ensures that they are safe to use. The flues and gas appliances must be inspected by a qualified engineer each year. This is a legal requirement in order to stop carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who don't adhere to these regulations could face fines or even prosecution.
Before issuing the document the gas engineer will conduct a thorough inspection to determine the condition of all appliances and installations. The document will state whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, and any suggestions for further action. The name and address of the landlord will be listed on the certificate as well as a date when the test was carried out.
Gas safety certificates are available in two types: domestic and non-domestic. The first is for homes, flats and studios while the latter refers to commercial properties like warehouses and office buildings. Both certificates need to be renewed every year and the engineer will issue an exact copy of each appliance they have inspected.
Who is eligible for a gas safety check? The answer is anyone who rents out a home with any 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 have their properties examined and issue their tenants with the latest Gas Safety Record, as they are legally responsible to ensure that their tenants are safe in their homes that they rent or own.
If homeowner gas safety certificate own a house that is managed by a managing agent It is essential to make sure that they are the ones who arrange the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent cannot let you out of the legal obligation to have your property tested, and to provide your tenants with a Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowners to keep their own gas safety records but they can be useful when selling the property since potential buyers will be looking for proof that the appliances are maintained and are safe. In addition, the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process will ask for a gas safety record which is why it's a good idea to have one in place 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 as well as building owners and even tenants who live in a building 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 checked and considered safe by a Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are a vital part of every rental property. It is unlawful for landlords to rent out any property that is not accompanied by this document.
In terms of homeowners, while they don't have the same legal obligations as landlords, it is nevertheless a good idea to take advantage of a Gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that their boiler is in good working order and identify any issues that might need to be fixed.
The front of the gas safety certificate is likely to include the name and registration number of the engineer who carried out the inspection as well as any other relevant identifiers. It will also include a list of all the appliances that were tested and an indication of whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed unsafe, they are classified as not Compliant(NCS) immediately hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).
This document will be presented to the homeowner at the end of the service. It should be kept safely to be used in the future. It is usually a good idea for homeowners to keep this document with them when they sell their home, as it can reassure potential buyers that the property is safe for gas.
What is included in the Gas Safety Certificate
The gas safety certificate contains an inventory 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 is usually accompanied by a header that displays the date and location of the inspection. It then lists the appliances that were examined, their status and any action taken or safety concerns that were discovered.
The gas safety certificate contains information about the house where the inspection was conducted, as well as details of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must include the address, postcode, and any relevant identifiers that distinguish between different properties. It must also include the engineer's name and Gas Safe Register ID number and their signature.
Landlords are legally required to schedule regular gas safety inspections in their properties they let. It is crucial to ensure that the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and that there aren't any leaks or other dangers that could pose a risk to the residents. If appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will mark them as in 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 can be an obligation for landlords selling their property. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers can request the certificates and use them to determine any issues they need to fix before purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange for a gas safety check through an Gas Safe registered engineer, or conduct the check themselves via 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 condition and do not pose any danger to the people living in the premises.
It is not the responsibility of tenants to obtain an official gas safety certificate or have their appliances inspected. It is the landlord's responsibility arrange an annual inspection, and issue a certificate of gas safety.
How much will a Gas Safety Certificate cost?
A gas safety certificate is a legal requirement for landlords 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 checking.
It is essential to communicate with your tenants and let them know when the inspection will occur so that they can be prepared for it. It's also helpful to explain the reason to let them in to allow the engineer to perform the check. It's not unusual for some tenants to be reluctant to allow access as they may feel that it is a violation of their privacy or that they could be put in danger if the engineer doesn't have access to examine the fireplace, boiler or other appliances. You must remind them that this is legally required. They could also be subject to fines or criminal charges when an engineer is unable to access the boiler, fireplace or other appliances.
After the gas engineer has finished carrying out the inspection, they will send you the gas safety certificate. The certificate will include the date and the contact information of the engineer along with your address at the property and a list of all the appliances and installations that were tested. The report will also list any appliances or installations that failed the test and any work that was required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be in the form of a standard black and yellow document. Your engineer will provide you with a copy for every appliance or installation they have inspected. It is recommended to keep this certificate for future reference, and you'll also need to give a copy to your tenants.
Your gas engineer will send you a copy 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, and you should also provide a copy to new tenants when they move into the property.