What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate is a document that includes all the inspections and tests an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections lower the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning at your home.
The law obliges landlords to conduct these inspections every year. They must also be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate is a legal document that shows that all the appliances and installations in your home have been examined by a certified engineer to ensure they are safe to use. Gas appliances and flues must be inspected by a certified engineer every year. This is a legal requirement to stop carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who do not comply with these regulations may be fined or prosecuted.
A gas engineer will carry out a thorough inspection of the property before issuing the certificate which will include details of all the appliances and installations that they tested. It will also state whether they passed or failed the test, and include suggestions for further action if needed. The name and address of the landlord will be recorded on the certificate as well as the date that the test was carried out.
Gas safety certificates are available in two distinct types that are domestic and non-domestic. The first one is for residential properties like homes, studios and flats. The second one is for commercial properties like offices and warehouses. Both certificates have to be renewed each year and the engineer must give a copy of each appliance that has been checked.
Who is required to undergo gas safety inspections? Anyone who owns, rents or has the property with any gas appliance of any kind. This includes private homeowners, housing associations local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues, as well as schools. Landlords are required to inspect their properties and provide the latest Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants are secure in their homes, whether they rent or own them.
If you own a house and employ an agent managing the care of your property, then it is important to ensure that they are the ones who plan the annual service and gas safety inspection. A managing agent can't disqualify you from the legal obligation to have the property tested, and also to give your tenants an official Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowners to keep their own gas safety records, they can be helpful when selling the property, as prospective buyers will want proof that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. The TA6 form that forms part of the conveyancing process will also require a record of gas safety, so it's a good idea keep one before selling.
Who is in need of a Gas Safety Certificate?
Essentially everyone who owns a domestic or commercial property that has gas appliances and pipework must be examined by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer. This will include landlords as well as building owners and even some tenants who may reside in a property that is managed by a managing agent.
Landlords are subject to a range of legal obligations. One of them is to ensure that all flues, appliances and fittings are inspected and certified safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is known as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a crucial part of any rental property. gas safety certificate near me is illegal for the landlord to let out any property without this document.
In the case of homeowners, although they aren't subject to the same legal obligations as landlords, it's still a good idea to have a gas Safety Check done once a year. This will help to keep their boilers and gas appliances in good shape and will also reveal any issues that need fixing, which can save them money in the long run.
The header of the gas safety certificate will usually include the registration and name of the person who conducted the inspection as well as any other identifiers that are relevant. The certificate will also list the appliances that were inspected and note whether they were successful or not. If any appliances were deemed to be dangerous, they will be marked as Not Compliant (NCS) or immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
This document is then issued to the homeowner after the service and is best kept safe for future reference. It is an excellent idea for homeowners to have this document when selling their house, since it can assure prospective buyers that the home is safe for gas.
What is included in the Gas Safety Certificate
The gas safety certificate includes a list of all gas appliances and infrastructures an engineer has inspected. The certificate also includes details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document typically begins with the header, which displays the date and time of the inspection. do homeowners need a gas safety certificate will then list the appliances checked as well as their condition and any safety concerns or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate contains information about the property where the inspection was conducted, as well as details of the landlord or managing agents. The certificate must include an address, postcode and any identifiers that distinguish between properties. The certificate must also include the engineer's ID number and name along with the signature.
Landlords are required to conduct regular gas safety checks in their rented properties. It is important to check that the gas appliances and pipes can be safely used and that there aren't any leaks or other dangers that could pose a threat to the occupants. If any appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will mark them as such on the certificate. Three codes are used to indicate the safety level of the appliance: Immediately Dangerous, At Risk or Not Current Standards.
Gas safety certificates are an obligation for landlords when selling a property. Buyers who are considering buying the property may request the certificates as part of their due diligence. They can use them to find any issues they require to address prior to purchasing the property.
Landlords can arrange for a gas safety check with an Gas Safe registered engineer, or they can do it themselves using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that a Gas Safety Check is performed every year at a minimum to ensure that all appliances are in good order and do not pose any danger to the residents.
It is not the obligation of tenants to arrange the issue of a gas safety certificate, or have their appliances inspected. It is the landlord's responsibility organize an annual inspection and issue an official certificate of gas safety.
How much will 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 check will differ based on the size and location of your property as well as how many gas appliances need being checked.
It is important to inform your tenants and let them know when the inspection will take place so that they can be prepared for it. It is also helpful to explain the reason to allow access so that the engineer can carry out the check. Some tenants are hesitant to grant access because they feel it is an invasion of privacy or could be in danger in the event that they refuse to allow the engineer to examine the boiler, fireplace or other appliances. You must remind them that it is legally required. They could also face fines or even criminal charges If an engineer is not able to access the fireplace, boiler or any other appliance.
The gas engineer will give you an official copy of the certificate after the inspection is complete. It will include the date of the service along with the details of the engineer's name and your property address and a complete list of all installations or appliances that were inspected. It will also note that any appliances or installations failed the tests. It will detail any work that has to be done.
Gas Safe certificates are usually in yellow and black and your engineer will provide you a copy of each appliance or installation they have been examining. This documentation should be kept for future reference. You should also provide a copy to each tenant.
Your gas engineer will give you a copy the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for 12 months from the date of inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to its expiration. It is also recommended to give a copy of it to any new tenants who move into your property.