What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certification is a document that lists all the tests and inspections an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.
The law stipulates that landlords must conduct these inspections every year. Gas Safe registered engineers must also conduct the inspections.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate is an official document that shows that all appliances and installations in your home have been inspected by a licensed engineer to ensure that they are safe to use. It is a legal requirement for landlords to have their gas appliances and flues regularly inspected to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords that do not comply with these regulations may be fined or prosecuted.
A gas engineer will conduct a thorough inspection of the home prior to issuing the document which will include details of each appliance and installations they tested. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further actions. The certificate will contain the name of the landlord, address, and the date the test was conducted.
Gas safety certificates are available in two different types of certificates: domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for residential properties like flats, studios, and homes. The second one is for commercial properties like offices and warehouses. Both certificates need to be renewed annually and the engineer will give a copy of each appliance they've been examining.
Who needs to have gas safety inspections? The answer is anyone who leases or owns out a home with any type of gas appliance or installation. This includes private homeowners housing associations, housing associations and local authorities, hotels and other hospitality venues, and even schools. Landlords are required to get their properties examined and issue their tenants with the latest 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 house that is managed by a managing agent It is essential to ensure that they are the ones to plan the annual gas safety inspection and service. The fact that you have a managing agent does not absolve you of the legal obligation to have the property tested and to supply your tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowners to keep their own records on gas safety, they can be helpful when it comes to selling the property since prospective buyers will want proof that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. The TA6 form, which is part of the conveyancing process will also require the record of gas safety which is why it's a good idea to have one before selling.
Who requires a Gas Safety Certificate?
Essentially, anyone who owns a domestic or commercial property that has gas appliances and pipes will need to have them checked by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes landlords and building owners, as well as even tenants who live in a building which is managed by an agent who manages the property.
Gas Safe engineers must check and confirm that all appliances, flues and fittings in a rental property are safe each year for 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are an essential part of every rental property. It is not legal for landlords to rent out any property that is not accompanied by this document.
In terms of homeowners, while they do not have the same legal obligations as landlords, it is still a good idea to take advantage of a Gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that their boiler and all gas appliances in good working order and also help to identify any issues that require fixing, which could save them money in the long run.
The gas safety certificate will typically contain a header which displays the name and registration number of the engineer who carried out the inspection, as well as the address of the property, postcode and any other relevant identifications. The certificate will also list the appliances that were inspected and will indicate whether they passed or failed. If gas safety certificate what is checked was found to be dangerous the appliance will be labelled as Not Compliant (NCS) or Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
This document will be presented to homeowners at the end of the service. It should be saved securely for future reference. This document is a great idea for homeowners when they are selling their home. It can reassure buyers that the house is safe for gas.
What is Included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
The gas safety certificate includes the list of all gas appliances and infrastructures an engineer has inspected. It also includes details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register ID number. The document will usually begin with a header listing the date and time of the inspection. Then, it shows the appliances that were examined, their status, and any action taken or safety issues that were identified.
The gas safety certificate contains information about the property in which the inspection took place in addition to the name of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must include the address, postcode, and any relevant identifiers that distinguish the properties. It must also include the engineer's name and Gas Safe Register ID number and their signature.
Landlords must perform regular gas safety inspections at their properties they lease. It is essential to ensure that the gas appliances and pipework can be safely used and that there aren't any leaks or dangers that could pose a risk to the occupants. If any appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will label them as unsafe on the certificate. There are three codes that signify an appliance's safety level 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. Buyers who are considering buying the property may request the records as part of their due diligence. They can use them to spot any issues that they need to resolve before buying the property.
Landlords can schedule a gas safety check with an Gas Safe registered engineer, or they can do it themselves via our user-friendly platform. We recommend that the Gas Safety Check is performed every year, at least to ensure that all appliances are in working properly and don't pose any safety risks to the occupants.
It is not the responsibility of tenants to arrange for an official gas safety certificate or have their appliances tested. It is the landlord's responsibility, who must schedule an annual inspection and issue a gas safety certificate to their tenants.
How Much is a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
A gas safety certificate is a legal requirement for landlords in order 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 being checked.
It is essential to communicate with your tenants and inform them 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 so that the engineer can perform the check. It's not unusual for tenants to be reluctant to allow access because they feel that it is a violation of their privacy or they may be in danger in the event that the engineer does not have access to inspect the fireplace, boiler, or other appliances. It is important to remind them that this is legally required. It is also possible to face penalties or fines if an engineer cannot access the fireplace, boiler or any other appliance.
The gas engineer will send you an official copy of the certificate after the inspection is complete. The certificate will contain the date, the engineer's contact details, your property address and an inventory of all appliances and installations that were inspected. The report will also detail any appliances or installations that failed the test as well as any work required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be a standard black and yellow document. Your engineer will give you a copy for each appliance or installation that they have examined. You should keep this documentation for future reference, and you'll also need to provide a copy of it to your tenants.
Your gas engineer will send you a copy the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for a period of 12 month from the date of the inspection. You must make sure that you renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires, and you should also give a copy to new tenants when they move in.