What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate is a document which lists all the tests and inspections that an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections lower the risk of poisoning with carbon monoxide in your home.
Landlords are legally required to organise these inspections on an annual basis. They must also be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate is a legal document that proves that the appliances and installations of your property have all been inspected by a certified engineer. This assures you that they are safe for use. Gas appliances and flues should be inspected by an experienced engineer every year. This is a legal requirement in order to stop carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who fail to comply with these rules could are subject to fines or even criminal prosecution.
Before issuance of the document, the gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess the condition of all appliances and installations. It will also indicate whether they passed or failed the test. It will also provide recommendations for further action, if required. The landlord's name and address will be listed on the certificate, along with a date when the test was carried out.
Gas safety certificates are available in two different kinds: domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for homes, flats and studios while the latter applies to commercial properties such as warehouses or office buildings. Both certificates need to be renewed every year and the engineer must issue a copy for every appliance they have checked.
Who needs to have a gas safety inspection? Anyone who owns, rents or uses a property that has any gas appliance of any kind. This includes private homeowners as well as housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues. Landlords are required to inspect their properties and issue the most current Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally accountable to ensure that their tenants are safe in their residences, whether they rent or own them.
If you own a property and have an agent managing the care of your property, it's crucial to ensure that they are the ones to plan the annual service and gas safety check. A managing agent will not let you out of the legal obligation to have your property tested and to provide your tenants with a Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowner-occupiers to keep their own records on gas safety however, they can be useful when selling the property, as prospective buyers will want proof that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. In addition the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process will ask for a gas safety record which is why it's a good idea to have one in place prior to selling.
Who is in need of needing a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, anyone who owns a domestic or commercial property with gas appliances and pipework is required to have them checked by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This will include landlords as well as building owners and even tenants who live in a building that is managed by an agent managing the building.
Gas Safe engineers must check and confirm that all appliances, flues, and fittings in a rental property are safe for a period of 12 months. This is referred to as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a vital part of any rental property. It is unlawful for landlords to rent the property without this certificate.
For homeowners, even though they aren't subject to the same legal obligations as landlords, it is still a good idea to have a gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that their boiler is in good working order and will highlight any issues that might need to be fixed.
The gas safety certificate will usually have a header that displays the name and registration number of the person who conducted the inspection, as well as the address of the property, postcode, and any other pertinent identification numbers. It will also contain a list of all the appliances that were tested and the information on whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed unsafe and are classified as Not Compliant(NCS), Immediately Hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).
This document is then issued to the homeowner after the service and should be kept in a safe place to be able to refer to it in the future. It is often recommended for homeowners to carry this with them when selling their home, as it can reassure potential buyers that the property is gas safe.
What is included in the Gas Safety Certificate
A gas safety certificate will include the complete list of all gas appliances and the infrastructure that an engineer has checked. It also contains information about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register ID number. The document typically begins with a header that displays the date and time of the inspection. The document then details the appliances scrutinized, their condition and any actions taken or safety issues that were identified.
The gas safety certificate includes details of the property where the inspection was conducted, as well as the name of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must include the address, postcode, and any relevant identifiers that distinguish between properties. The certificate should also contain the engineer's ID number and name, as well as signature.
Landlords are legally obliged to arrange 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 a risk to occupants. The engineer will sign the certificate if the appliances are unsafe. 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).
It is important for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates current and up to current, as they could be a legal requirement when selling a property. As part of their due diligence, potential buyers may request the records and use them to identify any issues they need to fix before purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange for a gas safety check through an Gas Safe registered engineer, or conduct the check themselves through our user-friendly platform. We recommend arranging the Gas Safety Check at least once every 12 months to make sure that all appliances are in good working order and are not posing any danger to the occupants.
It is not the duty of tenants to get a gas safety certificate or have their appliances inspected. It is the responsibility of the landlord to arrange an annual inspection, and issue an official certificate of gas safety.
How Much Does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
A gas safety certificate is legally required for landlords to ensure their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a gas safety inspection will vary based on the size and location of your property and how many gas appliances need checking.
It is essential to inform your tenants of when the inspection will take place to allow them to prepare. It can also help to explain the reason to allow access so that the engineer can carry out the check. It's not unusual for tenants to be hesitant to grant access as they may feel it's an invasion of privacy or that they could be put in danger in the event that the engineer does not have access to inspect the fireplace, boiler, or any other appliances. You should remind that this is an obligation under the law. It is also possible to face fines or even criminal charges If an engineer is not able to access the fireplace, boiler or other appliances.
The gas engineer will provide you an official copy of the certificate once the inspection is complete. how often gas safety certificate will contain the date, the engineer's contact details as well as your address for the property. It will also include a list of all appliances and installations that were examined. The report will also include the appliances or installations that failed the test and any work that was required.
Gas Safe certificates are usually in black and yellow and your engineer will provide you a copy of every appliance or installation that they have been examining. This documentation should be kept to be used in the future and you should also provide a copy to each of your tenants.
Your gas engineer will also provide you with a copy the Gas Safety Record, which will be valid for 12 months from the date of inspection. It is essential to renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires, and you should also give a copy to the new tenants when they move in.