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 performs on your gas appliances. These inspections help reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning at your home.
The law stipulates that landlords must conduct annual inspections of their properties. They should also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate is a legal document that confirms that the appliances and installations of your property have been examined by a qualified engineer. This assures you that they are safe for use. Gas appliances and flues must be inspected by an experienced engineer every year. This is a legal requirement to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who don't comply with these rules could may be penalized with fines or even a prosecution.
Before issuing the document gas engineers conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess the condition of the appliances and installations. 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 landlord's name, address, and the date the test was conducted.
There are two types of gas safety certificates for domestic and non-domestic. The first is for flats, homes, and studios whereas the latter is for commercial properties such as warehouses or office buildings. Both certificates need to be renewed annually and the engineer must provide a copy for each appliance that has been checked.
Who should undergo a gas safety inspection? Anyone who owns, rents or has an apartment or property that is equipped with any gas appliance of any kind. This includes private homeowners housing associations, housing associations and local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues, and even schools. Landlords must check their properties and issue the latest Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally responsible for ensuring that their tenants are safe in their homes whether they lease or own them.
If you own a house that is managed by an agent managing the property it is crucial to ensure that they are the ones to arrange the annual gas safety inspection and service. The fact that you have a managing agent does not absolve you of your legal obligation to have your property tested and to supply your tenants with the most recent Gas Safety Record.
It's not mandatory for homeowners to keep their gas safety records. However, they can be useful when selling a home. Potential buyers will want to see proof that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. In addition the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process asks for a gas safety report, so it's best to have one in place prior to selling.
Who Needs a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence anyone who owns a home or commercial property that has gas-powered appliances and pipes must have them examined by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes landlords, building owners, and even some tenants who may reside in a house that is managed by an agent who manages the property.
Gas Safe engineers must check and confirm that all appliances, flues, and fittings in rental properties are safe for a period of 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are a vital part of every rental property. It is not legal for landlords to rent out any property without this certificate.
In terms of homeowners, although they don't have 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 help keep their boilers and gas appliances in good working order and will also reveal any issues that require fixing, which can save them money in the long term.
The gas safety certificate will usually include a header that shows the name and registration number of the engineer who carried out the inspection, along with the address of the property, postcode, and other pertinent identifiers. It will also contain an inventory of all appliances that were inspected and an indication of whether they passed or failed. If any appliances were found to be dangerous they will be labeled as Not Compliant (NCS), immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
This document is issued to the homeowner after the service, and should be kept somewhere safe for future reference. This document is an excellent idea for homeowners when they are selling their home. It will reassure potential buyers that the property is gas-safe.
What is included in a Gas Safety Certificate
The gas safety certificate contains a list of all gas appliances and infrastructures that an engineer has inspected. The certificate also includes details on the engineer such as their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document is usually accompanied by a header that displays the date and location of the inspection. Then, it shows the appliances that were examined, their status and any action taken or safety concerns that were discovered.
The gas safety certificate includes information about the property in which the inspection took place in addition to the name of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate should include the address, postcode, and any relevant identifiers that distinguish between different properties. The certificate should also contain the engineer's ID number and name along with the signature.
Landlords are legally obligated to conduct regular gas safety checks at their properties that they let. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and there are no leaks or other risks that could pose a risk to occupants. The engineer will stamp the certificate if an appliance is unsafe. There are three codes that signify the level of safety of an appliance: Immediately Dangerous (ID) At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS).
It is essential for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates up-to date, as they may be legally required when selling a property. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers can request the certificates and use them to identify any issues they need to be able to fix prior to buying the property.
Landlords can arrange a gas safety check through a Gas Safe registered engineer, or they can do it themselves using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that an annual Gas Safety Check is performed every year at a minimum to ensure that all appliances are in working order and do not present any safety hazards to the occupants.
It is not up to tenants to obtain the gas safety certification or have their appliances tested. This is the landlord's responsibility, who must arrange an annual inspection and issue gas safety certificates to their tenants.
How much will a Gas Safety Certificate cost?
Gas safety certificates are a legal requirement that landlords must get to ensure the safety of their rental properties. The cost of a safety test for gas appliances can vary in accordance with the size of your home as well as the location and number of appliances.
It is crucial to inform your tenants when the inspection is scheduled to take place so they can prepare. It's also a good idea to explain to them the reasons why they should let the engineer to do the check. Some tenants are hesitant to grant access because they feel it is an invasion of privacy or they could be in danger if they don't permit the engineer to inspect the fireplace, boiler or other appliances. It's worth reminding them that it's a legal requirement, and could lead to the tenant facing fines or criminal charges if they do not allow access when there is a problem with one of your appliances is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning.
Once the gas engineer has completed the inspection after which they will send you the gas safety certificate. The certificate will include the date, the engineer's contact details, your property address and a list of all the appliances and installations that were examined. The report will also list any appliances or installations that failed the test as well as any work required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be in the form of a standard black and white document, and your engineer will send you the certificate for each appliance or installation that they have been examining. The certificate should be kept for future reference. You should also provide copies to each of your tenants.
The gas engineer will provide you with a copy the Gas Safety Record, which will be valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. You must ensure that you renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires. You should also give a copy of the Gas Safety Record to tenants who are about to move into the property.