What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate contains all the inspections and tests an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections can reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning at your home.
Landlords are required by law to conduct these inspections on a regular basis. They must also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate is an official document that shows that all appliances and installations within your home have been inspected by a licensed engineer to ensure they are safe to use. Gas appliances and flues must be inspected by a qualified engineer every year. This is a legal requirement in order to ensure that carbon monoxide poisoning is not a problem and to avoid other serious accidents. Landlords who do not comply with these regulations could be prosecuted or fined.
Before issuing the document a gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess the condition of all appliances and installations. The report will show whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further action. The name and address of the landlord will be listed on the certificate as well as the date on which the test was completed.
Gas safety certificates are available in two kinds: domestic and non-domestic. The former is for homes, flats and studios whereas the latter applies to commercial properties such as warehouses or office buildings. Both certificates must be renewed each year and the engineer must provide a copy for each appliance that has been inspected.
Who is required to undergo a gas safety inspection? Anyone who owns, leases or owns the property with any type of gas appliance. This includes homeowners who are private, housing associations and local authorities, hotels and other hospitality places, and even schools. Landlords are particularly required to have their homes checked and to provide their tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants stay safe in the homes they rent or own.
If you own a property and employ an agent managing the care of your property, it's crucial to ensure that they are the ones who plan the annual service and gas safety inspection. A managing agent cannot relieve you of the legal obligation to have the property tested, and to give your tenants the Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not an obligation for homeowners to keep their own records on Gas safety certificate check safety however, they can be useful when selling the property, as prospective buyers will want evidence that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. The TA6 form, which is part of the conveyancing procedure is also a requirement for an evidence of gas safety and it's a good idea have one before selling.
Who is in need of a Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to examine any gas appliance or pipework that is in any domestic or commercial property. This includes landlords, building owners and some tenants living in a building managed by an agency that manages the building.
Landlords have a number of legal obligations, and one of them is to make sure that all flues, appliances and fittings are examined and considered safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is known as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a crucial element of any rental property. It is illegal for landlords to let out properties without this document.
In the case of homeowners, even though they aren't subject to the same legal obligations as landlords, it's still a good idea have an annual gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that the boiler is in good condition and highlight any problems that may require fixing.
The head of the gas safety certificate will typically include the name and registration numbers of the engineer who carried out the inspection as well as any other identifiers that are relevant. It will also contain a list of all the appliances that were inspected, as well as a note of whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed unsafe and are marked as Not Compliant(NCS) or Immediately Hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).
This document is then issued to the homeowner following the service, and is best kept safe to be able to refer to it in the future. This document is ideal for homeowners who are selling their house. It can reassure buyers that the house is gas-safe.
What is included in the Gas Safety Certificate
A gas safety certificate will include an exhaustive list of all the gas appliances and the infrastructure that an engineer has inspected. The certificate also contains details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document will usually begin with a header listing the date and location of the inspection. The document then lists the appliances inspected as well as their condition and any safety concerns or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate contains information about the house where the inspection was conducted, as well as details of the landlord or managing agents. The certificate must contain the address, postcode, as well as any other relevant identifiers to differentiate between different properties. It must also include the engineer's name and Gas Safe Register ID number along with their signature.
Landlords must perform regular gas safety inspections at their properties they lease. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and there aren't any leaks or other hazards that could pose a risk to the occupants. The engineer will stamp the certificate if any appliances are unsafe. Three codes are used to indicate 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 up to current, as they could be legally required when selling the property. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers may request the records and utilize them to pinpoint any issues they must fix before purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange a gas safety check with an Gas Safe registered engineer, or conduct the check themselves using our user-friendly platform. We recommend conducting a Gas Safety Check at least once every 12 months, to ensure that all of the appliances are in good working order and are not posing any dangers to the residents.
It is not up to tenants to obtain a gas safety certification or have their appliances inspected. This is the landlord's responsibility, who is required to arrange an annual inspection and issue a gas safety certificate to their tenants.
How Much Does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
Gas safety certificates are an obligation that landlords must obtain to ensure the security of their rental properties. The cost of a gas safety inspection will vary based on the size and location of your property as well as the amount of gas appliances that need inspection.
It is essential to inform your tenants of 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 permit the engineer to do the check. Some tenants are reluctant to give access because they feel it is an invasion of privacy or they could be in danger should they not allow the engineer to inspect the boiler, fireplace or other appliances. It is important to remind that it is legally required. They could also face fines or criminal charges if an engineer cannot access the fireplace, boiler or any other appliance.
The gas engineer will send you the certificate after the inspection is complete. This will include the date of the inspection as well as the details of the engineer and your property address as well as a complete list of all appliances or installations that were inspected. It will also note that any appliances or installations failed the tests and will outline any work that has to be completed.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be in the form of a standard black and yellow document, and your engineer will give you a copy for every appliance or installation they have examined. The documentation should be saved to be used in the future and you must also give copies to each tenant.
Your gas engineer will provide you with 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 an original copy to any new tenants moving in.