What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate is a document which contains all the tests and inspections an engineer performs on your gas appliances. These inspections help reduce the chance of poisoning by carbon monoxide in your home.
Landlords are legally required to organise these inspections on an annual basis. Gas Safe registered engineers must also conduct the inspections.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate is a legal document that proves that the installations and appliances of your property have been examined by a qualified engineer. This ensures that they are safe to use. It's a legal requirement for landlords to have their gas appliances and flues checked every year to avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords that do not comply with these regulations may be penalized or fined.
Before issuance of the document, gas engineers conduct a thorough inspection to determine the condition of the appliances and installations. The report will show whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further actions. The certificate will also include the name of the landlord, address and the date the test was conducted.
Gas safety certificates are available in two kinds that are domestic and non-domestic. The first one is for flats, homes, and studios whereas the latter is for commercial properties such as warehouses and office buildings. Both certificates have to be renewed each year, and the engineer will issue a copy for every appliance they have inspected.
Who is required to undergo gas safety inspections? The answer is anyone who rents out a property that has any type of gas appliance or installation. This includes private homeowners, housing associations local authorities, hotels and other hospitality places, and even schools. Landlords must inspect their properties and give the most recent Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants are secure 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 make sure that they are the ones to organize the annual gas safety inspection and service. Having a managing agent doesn't mean you are free of the legal obligation to get the property tested and provide your tenants with the most up-to-date Gas Safety Record.
It's not mandatory for homeowners to keep gas safety records. However, they can be helpful when selling a property. Buyers will want to verify that the appliances are maintained and are safe. The TA6 form, which is part of the conveyancing process is also a requirement for an evidence of gas safety and it's a good idea have one prior to selling.
Who needs an Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to examine any gas appliances or pipework in any domestic or commercial property. This will include landlords as well as building owners and even some tenants who may live in a building which is managed by an agent managing the building.
Gas Safe engineers must check and confirm that all appliances, flues and fittings in rental properties are safe every 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are a vital element of any rental property. It is unlawful for landlords to rent out any property that is not accompanied by this document.
In the case of homeowners, although they do not have the same legal obligations as landlords, it's nevertheless a good idea to have a Gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that the boiler is in good working order and highlight any problems that require fixing.
The gas safety certificate is likely to include a header that shows the name and registration number of the person who conducted the inspection, along with the address of the property, the postcode, and other pertinent identifications. The certificate will also list all appliances that were tested and note whether they passed or failed. If any appliances were found to be unsafe 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 and should be kept somewhere safe for future reference. It is usually an excellent idea for homeowners to have this document with them when they sell their house, since it will reassure potential buyers that the property is safe for gas.
What is included in the contents of a Gas Safety Certificate?
The gas safety certificate contains a list of all gas appliances and other infrastructures that an engineer has examined. It also contains details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register ID number. The document typically begins with the header, which displays the date and time of the inspection. It then lists the appliances that were checked, their status and any actions taken or safety issues identified.
The gas safety certificate contains information about the property where the inspection was conducted, and also the details of the landlord or managing agents. The certificate must include the address, postcode, and any relevant identifiers that distinguish between different properties. It also contains the name of the engineer and Gas Safe Register ID number, as well as their signature.
Landlords are legally obligated to schedule regular gas safety checks at their properties they let. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipes are safe to use and there are no leaks or other dangers that could pose danger to occupants. The engineer will stamp the certificate if any appliances are unsafe. Three codes are used to indicate the level of safety of the 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. Buyers who are considering buying the property may request the documents as part of their due diligence and could use them to identify any issues that they need to address prior to purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange an inspection of their gas supply through an Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they may do it themselves by using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that a Gas Safety Check is performed at least once a year to ensure that all appliances are in working order and do not present any safety hazards to the residents.
It is not the responsibility of tenants to get the issue of a gas safety certificate, or have their appliances checked. This is the responsibility of the landlord who must schedule an annual inspection and issue a gas safety certificate to their tenants.
How much does a Gas Safety Certificate cost?
A gas safety certificate is a legal requirement for landlords to ensure that their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a safety inspection for gas appliances can vary depending on your property's size, location and number of appliances.
It's important to communicate with your tenants and inform them when the inspection will take place to ensure that they are prepared for it. It's important to explain to them the reasons why they should let the engineer to conduct the inspection. Some tenants are reluctant to give 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 important to remind them that it's a legal requirement, and could lead to them facing fines or even criminal charges if they do not allow access and an issue with your appliance is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning.
When the gas engineer is finished carrying out the inspection, they will provide you with a copy of your gas safety certificate. It will include the date of the inspection, the engineer's details and your address for your home, along with a full list of all the appliances or installations that were checked. how long does a gas safety certificate last will also detail any appliances or installations that failed the test and any work required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be in the form of a standard black and yellow document. Your engineer will provide you with an original for each appliance or installation that they have inspected. This documentation should be kept for future reference. You will also need to give an original copy to each of your tenants.
The gas engineer will provide you a copy of the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for one months from the date of inspection. You must make sure 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 your property.