What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certification is a document which lists all the tests and inspections that an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections lower the chance of poisoning by carbon monoxide in your home.
The law stipulates that landlords must conduct annual inspections of their properties. They must also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
landlord gas safety certificate uk is an official document that proves that all appliances and installations within your home have been examined by a qualified engineer to ensure that they are safe to use. Gas appliances and flues 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 that do not comply with these regulations may be fined or prosecuted.
Before issuing the document the gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess the state of all appliances and installations. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further action. The certificate will include the name of the landlord, address, and the date the test was conducted.
There are two types of gas safety certificates that are domestic and non-domestic. The first is for flats, homes, and studios whereas the latter applies to commercial properties such as warehouses and office buildings. Both certificates must be renewed each year. The engineer will give the details of every appliance they have examined.
Who is required to undergo a gas safety inspection? The answer is anyone who owns or rents out a property with any gas appliance or installation. This includes private homeowners housing associations, housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues, as well as schools. Landlords must inspect their properties and issue the most recent Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally accountable to ensure that their tenants are safe in their homes regardless of whether they rent or own them.
If you own a house that is managed by a managing agent, it is important to make sure that they are the ones to arrange the annual gas safety inspection and service. The fact that you have a managing agent does not relieve you of your legal obligation to have the property tested and provide your tenants with the most up-to-date Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowner-occupiers to keep their own gas safety records, they can be helpful when selling the property as potential buyers will want evidence that the appliances are maintained and are safe. Additionally the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process asks for a gas safety record and it's recommended to have one prior to selling.
Who is in need of an Gas Safety Certificate?
Essentially everyone who owns a residential or commercial property that is equipped with gas appliances and pipes is required to be checked by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes landlords, building owner and tenants living in a property managed by an agency that manages the building.
Landlords have a number of legal obligations. One of them is to ensure that all flues, appliances, and fittings are examined and considered safe by a Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is referred to as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a vital element of any rental property. It is unlawful for landlords to rent out any property without this document.
Although homeowners don't have to follow the same legal obligations that landlords are required to follow, it's an excellent idea for them to undergo a gas Safety Check once a year. This will ensure that their boilers and gas appliances in good shape and also help to identify any issues that require fixing, which can save them money in the long term.
The head of the gas safety certificate will typically include the registration and name of the engineer who carried out the inspection, along with any other identifiers that are relevant. The certificate will also list all appliances that were examined and note whether they passed or failed. If any appliance was found to be dangerous the appliance will be labelled as not compliant (NCS) or Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
The document is then given to the homeowner following the service has been completed and should be kept somewhere safe for future reference. It is often a good idea for homeowners to carry this document with them when they sell their home, as it will reassure potential buyers that the property is safe to use gas.
What is Included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
The gas safety certificate includes the list of all gas appliances and infrastructures that an engineer has examined. 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. The document will then list the appliances inspected along with their condition, as well as any safety concerns or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate includes specifics about the property where the inspection was conducted, as well as the name of the landlord or managing agent. The certificate should include the address, postcode and any other relevant identifiers to differentiate between properties. It also includes the name of the engineer as well as Gas Safe Register ID number, as well as their signature.
Landlords are legally obliged to schedule regular gas safety inspections in their properties that they let. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and there aren't any leaks or other risks that could pose a risk to the occupants. If any appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will label 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.
Gas safety certificates are an obligation for landlords when selling a property. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers can request the certificates and utilize them to pinpoint any issues they must fix before purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange an appointment for a Gas Safety Inspection with a Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they may do it themselves with our user-friendly platform. We recommend arranging an Gas Safety Check at least every 12 months, to ensure that all the appliances are in good working order and are not posing any dangers to the residents.
It is not the responsibility of tenants to get a gas safety certification or have their appliances checked. 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?
Gas safety certificates are an obligation that landlords must get to ensure the safety of their rental properties. The cost of a safety check for gas appliances is different in accordance with the size of your home, location and the number of appliances.
It is important to inform your tenants when the inspection will be taking place to allow them to prepare. It's important to explain the reason they should permit the engineer to conduct the check. Some tenants are hesitant to grant access because they feel it is an privacy invasion or they might be at risk should they not allow the engineer to examine 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 don't allow access when a problem with one of your appliances is found, such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
After the gas engineer has completed the inspection and has completed the inspection, they will provide you with a copy of your gas safety certificate. This will include the date of the service as well as the details of the engineer and your property address and a complete list of all appliances or installations that were inspected. It will also note that any appliances or installations failed the tests. It will list any work that needs to be done.
Gas Safe certificates are usually in yellow and black and your engineer will provide you a copy for each appliance or installation they've inspected. The certificate should be kept for future reference. You should also provide an original copy to each tenant.
Your gas engineer will also give you a copy of the Gas Safety Record, which is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to the expiration date. You should also provide a copy of it to any new tenants who move into your property.