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 lower the chance of poisoning by carbon monoxide at home.
The law requires that landlords conduct annual inspections of their properties. Gas Safe registered engineers must also conduct inspections.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all appliances and installations in your home have been inspected by a qualified engineer to ensure that they are safe to use. It's a legal requirement for landlords to have their gas appliances and flues checked every year to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who don't adhere to these regulations could face fines or even prosecution.
A gas engineer will carry out an extensive inspection of the home prior to issuing the certificate that will include the details of all the appliances and installations they test. It will also indicate whether they passed or failed the test, and include recommendations for further action if necessary. The name and address of the landlord will be recorded on the certificate along with the date on which the test was conducted.
Gas safety certificates are available in two different types that are domestic and non-domestic. The first is for homes, flats and studios whereas the latter applies to commercial properties like warehouses and office buildings. Both certificates must be renewed every year and the engineer will issue the details of each appliance they have examined.
Who is eligible for gas safety checks? Anyone who owns, leases or has an apartment or property that is equipped with any gas appliance of any kind. This includes homeowners who are private housing associations, housing associations local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues, and even schools. Landlords are required to get their properties examined and issue their tenants with the most recent Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants are secure in their homes that they rent or own.
If you own a property that is managed by an agent managing the property It is essential to ensure that they are the ones to plan the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent can't relieve you of the legal obligation to have the property tested, and to provide your tenants with the Gas Safety Record.
It's not a requirement for homeowners to keep gas safety records. However, they're useful when selling a home. Buyers will want to see proof that the appliances are maintained and are safe. Additionally the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process requires for a record of gas safety, so it's best to have one prior to selling.
Who Needs a Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to inspect any gas appliance or pipework that is in the domestic or commercial property. This will include landlords, building owners, and even tenants who reside in a property that is managed by an agent managing the building.
Landlords have a number of legal obligations, and one of these is to ensure that all flues, appliances and fittings are examined and deemed safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are a vital part of every rental property. It is illegal for a landlord to rent out any property that is not accompanied by this document.
While homeowners don't have to comply with the same legal obligations that landlords are required to follow, it's an excellent idea for them to have an annual Gas Safety Check once a year. This will ensure that their boiler is in good working order and highlight any problems that require fixing.
The gas safety certificate will typically include a header that shows the name and registration number of the engineer who performed the inspection, along with the property address, postcode, and any other pertinent identification numbers. The certificate will also list all appliances that were inspected and indicate whether they passed or failed. If any appliances were deemed to be unsafe the appliance will be labelled as Not Compliant (NCS), immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
The document is then given to the homeowner after the service has been completed and should be kept in a safe place for future reference. This document is a great idea for homeowners when they are selling their home. It will reassure potential buyers that the house is safe to use gas.
What is included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
The gas safety certificate contains the list of all gas appliances and infrastructures an engineer has examined. It also includes details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register ID number. The document is usually arranged with a header displaying the date and location of the inspection. The document then lists the appliances inspected, their condition, and any safety concerns or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate contains information about the property where the inspection was conducted, along with the information of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate should include the address, postcode, as well as any other relevant identifiers to differentiate the properties. It also includes the name of the engineer and Gas Safe Register ID number along with their signature.
Landlords are legally required to arrange regular gas safety inspections in 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 appliances are found to be unsafe, the engineer will mark them as such on the certificate. Three codes are used to determine the level of safety of an appliance: Immediately Dangerous, At Risk, or Not Current Standards.
It is essential for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates current and up to current, as they could be legally required when selling the property. As part of their due diligence, potential buyers may request the records and utilize them to pinpoint any issues they need to address prior to purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange for an appointment for a Gas Safety Inspection with a Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they can conduct it themselves with our user-friendly platform. We recommend that the Gas Safety Check is performed at least once a year to ensure that all appliances are in good order and do not pose any danger to the occupants.
It is not up to tenants to obtain a gas safety certification or have their appliances checked. It is the landlord's responsibility conduct an annual inspection and issue an official certificate of gas safety.
How Much does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
Gas safety certificates are an obligation that landlords must obtain to ensure the safety of their rental properties. The cost of a safety inspection for gas appliances is different in accordance with the size of your home, location and the number of appliances.
It is essential to communicate with your tenants and inform them when the inspection is scheduled to take place to ensure that they are prepared for it. It can also help to explain why it's important to let them in to allow the engineer to conduct the inspection. 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 at risk when the engineer doesn't have access to check the boiler, fireplace or any other appliances. It's important to remind them that it's a legal requirement that could lead to them facing fines or even criminal charges if they don't allow access when there is a problem with one of your appliances is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning.
The gas engineer will give you an official copy of the certificate after the inspection is complete. The certificate will contain the date and the contact information of the engineer along with your address at the property and an inventory of all the appliances and installations that were inspected. The report will also list any appliances or installations that failed the test and any work that was required.
Gas Safe certificates are usually in black and yellow and your engineer will give you a copy of every appliance or installation that they have been examining. This documentation should be kept to be used in the future and you must also give a copy to each tenant.
Your gas safety certificate check engineer will also give you a copy of the Gas Safety Record, which will be valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to its expiration. You should also provide a copy of it to any new tenants that move into the property.