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 reduce the risk of poisoning with carbon monoxide at home.
Landlords are legally required to arrange these inspections on an annual basis. They must also be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certification is a legal document that proves that the appliances and installations of your property have all been inspected by a certified engineer. This ensures that they are safe to use. It's a legal requirement that landlords to have their gas appliances and flues checked every year to avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, or other serious accidents. Landlords who fail to comply with these regulations could be fined or prosecuted.
Before issuing the document a gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess the condition of the appliances and installations. The document will state whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any recommendations for further action. The certificate will also include the landlord's name, address, and the date the test was conducted.
There are two kinds of gas safety certificates: domestic and non-domestic. The first one is for residential properties, such as studios, homes and flats. The second one is for commercial properties, such as warehouses and offices. Both certificates must be renewed annually and the engineer will give the details of every appliance they have inspected.
Who needs to have an inspection for gas safety? Anyone who owns, leases or uses an apartment or property that is equipped with any type of gas appliance. This includes private homeowners as in housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality venues. Landlords must inspect their properties and give the latest Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants are safe in their homes, whether they rent or own them.
If you own a house and have an managing agent to take care of your property, it's important to make sure that they are the ones who arrange the annual gas safety checks. A managing agent's appointment does not absolve you of your legal obligation to have your property tested and to provide your tenants with the most up-to-date Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowners to keep their own records of gas safety however, they can be useful when it comes to selling the property since prospective buyers will want proof that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. Furthermore, the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process asks for a gas safety report, so it's best to have one in place prior to selling.
Who needs a Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to inspect any gas appliance or pipework in the domestic or commercial property. This will include landlords as well as building owners and even tenants who live in a building which is managed by a managing agent.
Gas Safe engineers must check and certify that all appliances, flues, and fittings in rental properties are safe every 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are a crucial part of every rental property. It is not legal for a landlord to rent out any property without this certificate.
In the case of homeowners, while they aren't subject to 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 their boiler is in good condition and identify any issues that require fixing.
The header of the gas safety certificate is likely to include the name and registration numbers of the person who conducted the inspection as well as any other relevant identifiers. The certificate will also list the appliances that were examined and will indicate whether they passed or failed. If any appliance was found to be dangerous they will be labeled as not compliant (NCS) or immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
The document is then given to the homeowner following the service has been completed and should be kept somewhere safe to be able to refer to it in the future. This document is an excellent idea for homeowners when they are selling their home. It can reassure buyers that the property is safe to use gas.
What is Included in what is included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate will include the complete list of all the gas appliances and infrastructure that an engineer has checked. The certificate also includes details on the engineer such as their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document is usually accompanied by a header that displays the date and location of the inspection. The document then lists the appliances that were inspected along with their condition, as well as 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 should include the address, postcode and any other identifiers that can be used to distinguish between properties. The certificate should also contain the engineer's ID number and name and signature.
Landlords must perform regular gas safety inspections at their rented properties. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and that there are no leaks or other hazards that could pose a risk for the occupants. If any appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will mark them as in the certificate. Three codes are used to determine the level of safety of an appliance: immediately Dangerous, At Risk, or Not Current Standards.
Gas safety certificates can be an obligation for landlords when selling a property. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers may request the records and use them to determine 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 can do it themselves with our user-friendly platform. We recommend conducting an Gas Safety Check at least every 12 months, to ensure that all the appliances are in good in good condition and don't pose any dangers to the residents.
It is not the responsibility of tenants to obtain an annual gas safety certificate or have their appliances inspected. It is the landlord's responsibility to organize an annual inspection and issue the certificate of gas safety.
How Much Does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
A gas safety certificate is a legal requirement for landlords to ensure their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a gas safety inspection will differ based on the size and location of your property as well as the amount of gas appliances that need inspection.
It is essential to communicate with your tenants and let them know when the inspection will 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 do the check. Some tenants are reluctant to give access to their property because they believe it is an invasion of privacy or they might be at risk in the event that they refuse to permit the engineer to inspect the fireplace, boiler or other appliances. It's worth reminding them that it's a legal requirement, and could lead to them facing fines or even criminal charges if they fail to permit access if a problem with your appliance is found, such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
The gas engineer will give you the certificate after the inspection is completed. The certificate will contain the date, the engineer's contact details as well as your address for the property. It will also include the list of all appliances and installations that were examined. It will also mention that any appliances or installations failed the tests. It will detail the work that must be done.
Gas Safe certificates are usually in yellow and black and your engineer will send you a copy of every appliance or installation that they have been examining. Keep this document for future reference and you'll also have to give a copy to your tenants.
The gas engineer will provide you with a copy of the Gas Safety Record, which is valid for Www.mkgassafety.co.Uk 12 months from the date of the inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to its expiration. You should also give the certificate to any new tenants who move into the property.