What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
A gas safety certificate lists all the tests and inspections an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections can to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning at your home.
Landlords are legally required to conduct these inspections on an annual basis. Gas Safe registered engineers must also conduct the inspections.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate is an official document that demonstrates that all the appliances and installations in your property have been checked by a licensed engineer to make sure they are safe to use. The flues and gas appliances must be inspected by an experienced engineer each year. This is a legal requirement to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who do not comply with these regulations may be prosecuted or fined.
Before issuance of the document, gas engineers conduct an extensive inspection to determine the condition of all appliances and installations. The document will state whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any recommendations for further actions. The certificate will contain the name of the landlord, his address and the date the test was conducted.
There are two kinds of gas safety certificates for domestic and non-domestic. The former is for flats, homes, and studios whereas the latter applies to commercial properties such as warehouses and office buildings. Both certificates must be renewed every year and the engineer must give a copy of each appliance that has been examined.
Who needs gas safety checks? Anyone who owns, rents or has a property that has any type of gas appliance. This includes homeowners who are private as in housing associations, local authorities and hotels and other hospitality venues. Landlords are particularly required to have their homes checked and to provide their tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants stay safe in the properties they lease or own.
If you own a property and hire an managing agent to take care of your property, it is important to ensure that they're the ones who organize the annual gas safety check. Having a managing agent does not absolve you of your legal obligation to have the property tested and provide your tenants with the most up-to-date Gas Safety Record.
Although it's not an obligation for homeowners to keep their own records of gas safety, they can be helpful when it comes to selling the property as potential buyers will be looking for proof that the appliances are maintained and are safe. The TA6 form that is a part of the conveyancing procedure will also require a record of gas safety and it's recommended to have one before selling.
Who is in need of a Gas Safety Certificate?
Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to inspect any gas appliance or pipework within any domestic or commercial property. This includes landlords, building owners and some tenants who reside in a building that is managed by a managing agency.
Gas Safe engineers must check and verify that all appliances, flues, and fittings in rental properties are safe each year for 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are a vital part of every rental property. It is illegal for landlords to rent out properties without this document.
For homeowners, while they do not have the same legal obligations as landlords, it's nevertheless a good idea to take advantage of an annual gas Safety Check done once a year. This will help keep their boilers and gas appliances in good shape and also help to identify any issues that require fixing, which can save them money in the long term.
The head of the gas safety certificate is likely to include the name and registration number of the engineer who performed the inspection, along with any other identifiers relevant to the inspection. The certificate will also list all appliances that were examined and indicate whether they passed or failed. If any appliances were found to be dangerous they will be labeled as not compliant (NCS) or immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).
This document will be presented to the homeowner at the conclusion of the service. It should be kept safely for future reference. It is often recommended for homeowners to carry this document with them when they sell their property, as it will reassure potential buyers that the property is safe for gas.
What is Included in what is included in a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate includes the complete list of all gas appliances and the infrastructure that an engineer has inspected. The certificate also includes details on the engineer such as their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document is usually arranged with a header displaying the date and location of the inspection. The document then details the appliances examined, their status, and any action taken or safety issues identified.
The gas safety certificate includes information about the property in which the inspection was conducted and the name of the landlord or managing agent. The certificate must include the address, postcode, and any other identifiers that can be used to distinguish between different properties. The certificate should also contain the engineer's ID number as well as name along with the signature.
Landlords must perform regular gas safety inspections at their properties they lease. This is to ensure that all the gas appliances and pipes are safe to use and that there are no leaks or other hazards that could pose danger 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 are an obligation for landlords who are selling their property. As part of their due diligence, prospective buyers can request the certificates and use them to determine any issues they must be able to fix prior to buying 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 conducting a Gas Safety Check at least every 12 months, to make sure that all of the appliances are in good working condition and do not pose any safety risks to occupants.
It is not up to tenants to arrange for the gas safety certification or have their appliances checked. It is the landlord's responsibility to organize an annual inspection and issue the certificate of gas safety.
How Much is a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?
Gas safety certificates are a legal requirement that landlords must obtain to ensure the security of their rental properties. The cost of a gas safety test will differ based on the size and location of your property and how many gas appliances need being checked.
It is essential to inform your tenants about when the inspection will be taking place to allow them to prepare. It's important to explain to them why they should permit an engineer to conduct the check. Some tenants are hesitant to grant access to their property because they believe it is an privacy invasion or they might be at risk if they don't allow the engineer to examine the fireplace, boiler or other appliances. You should remind them that it is an obligation under the law. They could also be subject to fines or even criminal charges if an engineer cannot access the fireplace, boiler or any other appliance.
The gas engineer will give you an official copy of the certificate once the inspection is complete. It will include the date of the inspection, the engineer's details as well as your property address, along with a full list of all installations or appliances that were checked. The report will also include any appliances or installations that failed the test, as well as any work required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be a standard black and white document, and your engineer will provide you with a copy for every appliance or installation they have been examining. It is recommended to keep this certificate for future reference and also to give a copy to your tenants.
Your gas engineer will give you a copy of the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for a period of 12 month from the date of the inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to the expiration date. It is also recommended to give the certificate to any new tenants who move into your property.