What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate is a document that contains all the tests and inspections an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections reduce the risk of poisoning with carbon monoxide at 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 shows that all the appliances and installations in your property have been checked by a licensed engineer to ensure they are safe to use. It's a legal requirement that landlords to have their gas appliances and flues inspected every year to prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning or other serious accidents. Landlords that do not comply with these regulations may be penalized or fined.
Before releasing the document, the gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess 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 action. The name and address of the landlord will be listed on the certificate, along with the date on which the test was carried out.
There are two kinds of gas safety certificates for domestic and non-domestic. The first is for residential properties, such as homes, studios and flats. The other is for commercial properties like warehouses and offices. Both certificates have to be renewed annually and the engineer must issue a copy for each appliance that they have checked.
Who should undergo gas safety checks? The answer is anyone who rents out a home with any gas appliance or installation. This includes private homeowners, housing associations local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues, as well as schools. Landlords are required to inspect their properties and issue the most recent Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally responsible 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 essential to make sure that they are the ones who organize the annual gas safety inspection and service. The fact that you have a managing agent does not relieve you of your legal obligation to get the property tested and provide your tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record.
Although gas safety certificate duplicate 's not a legal requirement for homeowner-occupiers to keep their own records of gas safety but they can be useful when selling the property since prospective buyers will want evidence that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. The TA6 form that is a part of the conveyancing procedure, also asks for an evidence of gas safety, so it's a good idea to have one before selling.
Who is in need of a Gas Safety Certificate?
Essentially, anyone who owns a domestic or commercial property that is equipped with gas appliances and pipework is required to be checked by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes landlords, building owners and some tenants who reside in a property managed by an agency that manages the building.
Landlords are bound by a variety of legal obligations, and one of them is to make sure 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 an essential part of any rental property. It is against the law for landlords to rent out the property without this certificate.
While homeowners don't have to adhere to the same legal requirements as landlords are required to follow, it's recommended to have an annual Gas Safety Check once a year. This will ensure that their boiler and all gas appliances in good working order and will also reveal any issues that require repair, which could 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 performed the inspection, along with the property address, postcode, and any other pertinent identifiers. The certificate will also list the appliances that were inspected and will indicate whether they were successful or not. If any appliances were deemed to be unsafe, they will be marked as not compliant (NCS) or immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
This document will be given to the homeowner at the end of the service. It should be saved in a safe place to be used in the future. It is usually recommended for homeowners to carry this document when selling their house, since it can reassure prospective buyers that the home is gas safe.
What is Included in the contents of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate contains a full list of all gas appliances and infrastructure an engineer has examined. It also includes information about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register ID number. The document usually begins with a header listing the date and place of the inspection. The document then lists the appliances inspected as well as their condition and any safety issues or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate contains details about the property in which the inspection was conducted and also the details of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must contain the address, postcode and any relevant identifiers that distinguish the properties. It also includes the name of the engineer and Gas Safe Register ID number, as well as their signature.
Landlords are legally obliged to arrange regular gas safety inspections in their properties that they let. It is essential to ensure that the gas appliances and pipes can be safely used and that there are no leaks or other dangers that could pose a threat to the residents. If appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will label them as such on the certificate. There are three codes that indicate the safety rating of an appliance: Immediately Dangerous (ID), At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS).
Gas safety certificates can be a legal requirement for landlords when selling a home. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers may request the records and use them to identify any issues they must address prior to purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange a Gas Safety Check through an Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they may do it themselves by using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that an annual Gas Safety Check is performed at least once a year to ensure that all appliances are in good properly and don't pose any danger to the occupants.
It is not up to tenants to arrange for an official gas safety certificate or have their appliances inspected. It is the landlord's responsibility arrange an annual inspection, and issue the certificate of gas safety.
How Much does 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 gas safety inspection will vary depending on the size and the location of your property, as well as how many gas appliances need checking.
It is important to inform your tenants and inform them when the inspection is scheduled to take place so that they can be prepared for it. It's also a good idea to explain the reason they should permit the engineer to conduct the check. Some tenants are reluctant to give access to their property because they believe it is an privacy invasion or they could be in danger in the event that they refuse to allow the engineer to inspect the fireplace, boiler or other appliances. It's important to remind them that it's a legal requirement and could lead to being fined or even criminal charges if they fail to allow access and an issue with your appliance is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning.
The gas engineer will give you the certificate once the inspection is completed. The certificate will contain the date as well as the contact details of the engineer along with your address at the property and an inventory of all appliances and installations that were tested. The report will also detail the appliances or installations that failed the test as well as any work that was required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be an ordinary black and yellow document. Your engineer will give you the certificate for each appliance or installation that they have been examining. Keep this document for future reference and also to provide a copy of it to 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. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to the expiration date. It is also recommended to give a copy of it to any new tenants moving into the property.