What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate is a document which contains all the tests and inspections that engineers perform on your gas appliances. These inspections help to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.
The law stipulates that landlords must conduct these inspections every year. They must also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate is an official document that demonstrates that all the appliances and installations in your property have been checked by a qualified 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 in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who do not comply with these regulations may be penalized or fined.
A gas engineer will conduct a thorough inspection of the home prior to issuing the report which will include specifics of the appliances and installations they tested. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, and any suggestions for further actions. The name and address of the landlord will be noted on the certificate as well as a date when the test was completed.
Gas safety certificates are available in two distinct types that are domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for homes, flats and studios, while the latter refers to commercial properties such as warehouses or office buildings. Both certificates must be renewed annually, and the engineer will provide a copy for every appliance they have examined.
Who needs to have an inspection for gas safety? Anyone who owns, leases or has a property that has any gas appliance of any kind. This includes homeowners who are private, housing associations local authorities, hotels and other hospitality places, and even schools. Landlords are especially required to get their properties inspected and to issue their tenants with the most recent Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants stay safe in the properties they lease or own.
If you own a house that is managed by an agent who manages the property, it is important to ensure that they are the ones who 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 also to give your tenants an official Gas Safety Record.
It's not required for homeowners to keep their gas safety records. However, they are helpful when selling a property. Buyers will want to see proof that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. Furthermore, the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process will ask for a gas safety report 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 check any gas appliance or pipework within a commercial or domestic property. This will include landlords as well as building owners and even tenants who reside in a house that is managed by an agent who manages the property.
Landlords are bound by a variety of legal obligations, and one of these is to ensure that all flues, appliances, and fittings are inspected and considered safe by an 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 illegal for landlords to rent out the property without this certificate.
In terms of homeowners, even though they aren't subject to the same legal obligations as landlords, it is still a good idea to take advantage of an annual gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that their boiler and all gas appliances in good shape and also help to identify any issues that require repair, which could save them money in the end.
The front of the gas safety certificate will typically include the registration and name of the engineer who performed the inspection, along with any other identifiers relevant to the inspection. It will also include an inventory of all the appliances that were examined, as well as an indication of whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed to be unsafe and 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 saved securely for future reference. It is often a good idea for homeowners to keep this document when selling their house, since it can reassure potential buyers that the property is safe to use gas.
What is included in a Gas Safety Certificate
A gas safety certificate contains a full list of all the gas appliances and the infrastructure that an engineer has examined. The certificate also includes details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document typically begins with a header that displays the date and time of the inspection. Then, it details the appliances checked, their status, and any action taken or safety issues that were identified.
The gas safety certificate includes details about the property in which the inspection was conducted and also the details of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must contain an address, a postcode, and any identifiers that distinguish between properties. It must also include the engineer's name and Gas Safe Register ID number and their signature.
Landlords must conduct regular gas safety checks in their rental properties. 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 danger to occupants. gas safety certificate replacement will stamp the certificate if an appliance is unsafe. There are three codes that signify an appliance's safety level that are immediately dangerous (ID) At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS).
Gas safety certificates can be an obligation for landlords selling their property. Buyers who are considering buying the property may request the records as part of their due diligence and could use them to identify any issues that they need to resolve before buying the property.
Landlords may arrange a Gas Safety Check through a Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they can conduct it themselves using our user-friendly platform. We recommend conducting the Gas Safety Check at least once every 12 months to make sure that all appliances are in good working condition and do not pose any dangers to the occupants.
It is not the duty of tenants to get an annual gas safety certificate or have their appliances inspected. This is the landlord's responsibility, who must schedule an annual inspection and issue gas safety certificates to their tenants.
How Much does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
A gas safety certificate is an obligation for landlords to ensure their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a safety check for gas appliances can vary according to the size of your property as well as the location and number of appliances.
It is essential to inform your tenants of when the inspection is scheduled to take place, so that they can prepare. It's also helpful 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 to their property because they believe that it is a violation of their privacy or they may be at risk if the engineer doesn't have access to inspect the fireplace, boiler, or any other appliances. It's worth reminding them that it's a legal requirement that could result in the tenant facing fines or criminal charges if they don't permit access if an issue with your appliance is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning.
Once the gas engineer has finished carrying out the inspection and has completed the inspection, they will provide you with an original copy of your gas safety certificate. The certificate will contain the date and the contact information of the engineer, your property address and the list of all appliances and installations that were examined. It will also indicate if any of the appliances or installations failed the tests. It will outline any work that has to be completed.
Gas Safe certificates are usually in black and yellow and your engineer will provide you a copy for each appliance or installation they have examined. You should keep this documentation for future reference and also to give a copy to your tenants.
Your gas engineer will give you a copy the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for one months from the date of the inspection. It is essential to renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires. You must also give a copy of the Gas Safety Record to the new tenants when they move in.