What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?
boiler service and gas safety certificate is a document that contains all the tests and inspections an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections help reduce the risk of poisoning with carbon monoxide at home.
The law obliges landlords to conduct annual inspections of their properties. Gas Safe registered engineers must also conduct inspections.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate is a legal document that shows that all the appliances and installations in your property have been checked by a certified engineer to ensure they are safe to use. Gas appliances and flues should be inspected by a qualified engineer every year. This is a legal requirement in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords that do not adhere to these rules could be fined or prosecuted.
Before issuing the document gas engineers conduct a thorough inspection to determine the state of all appliances and installations. It will also state whether they passed or failed the test. It will also include suggestions for further action if necessary. The landlord's name and address will be recorded on the certificate as well as the date that the test was carried out.
Gas safety certificates are available in two kinds: domestic and non-domestic. The first is for residential properties, such as studios, homes and flats. The second is for commercial properties, such as offices and warehouses. Both certificates need to be renewed annually and the engineer will issue a copy for each appliance that has been checked.
Who should undergo an inspection for gas safety? The answer is anyone who owns or rents out a property that has any type of gas appliance or installation. This includes homeowners who are private as in housing associations, local authorities, hotels and other hospitality venues. Landlords are required to have their properties checked and to provide their tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable for ensuring that their tenants are secure in the homes they rent or own.
If you own a property that is managed by an agent managing the property it is crucial to ensure that they are the ones who arrange the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent cannot let you out of the legal requirement to have the property tested, and also to give your tenants the Gas Safety Record.
It's not mandatory for homeowners to keep gas safety records. However, they can be beneficial when selling a house. Potential buyers would like to see proof that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. Additionally, the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process asks for a gas safety report which is why it's a good idea to have one in place prior to selling.
Who requires needing a Gas Safety Certificate?
Basically, anyone who owns a home or commercial property that is equipped with gas appliances and pipes must be examined by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer. This will include landlords and building owners, as well as even tenants who live in a building that is managed by an agent managing the building.
Landlords have a number of legal obligations. One of them is to ensure 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 element of any rental property. It is unlawful for landlords to rent out a property without this document.
While homeowners don't have to comply with the same legal requirements as landlords must, it's a good idea for them to get a gas Safety Check once a year. This will ensure that the boiler is in good condition and highlight any problems that might require fixing.
The head of the gas safety certificate will typically include the name and registration numbers of the engineer who carried out the inspection, along with any other identifiers relevant to the inspection. It will also include a list of all the appliances that were inspected and a note of whether they passed or failed. If any appliances were found to be unsafe 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 end of the service. It should be saved safely to be used in the future. It is usually a good idea for homeowners to keep this with them when selling their property, as it can assure potential buyers that the property is safe to use gas.
What is included in the contents of a Gas Safety Certificate?
The gas safety certificate contains the list of all gas appliances and infrastructures an engineer has been examining. The certificate also contains details on the engineer such as their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document usually starts with an introduction that lists the date and time of the inspection. The document lists the appliances that were inspected as well as their condition and any safety concerns or actions taken.
The gas safety certificate contains 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, as well as any other relevant identifiers to differentiate the properties. The certificate should also contain the engineer's ID number as well as name and signature.
Landlords are legally obliged to schedule regular gas safety inspections in their properties that they let. It is crucial to ensure that the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and that there aren't any leaks or other dangers that could pose a danger to the residents. If appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will mark them as unsafe on the certificate. Three codes are used to determine the level of safety of an appliance: immediately Dangerous, At Risk or Not Current Standards.
It is essential for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates current and up to date, as they may be legally required when selling a property. Buyers who are considering buying the property may request the documents as part of their due diligence. They can use them to spot any issues they require to address prior to buying the property.
Landlords can arrange a gas safety inspection with a Gas Safe registered engineer, or conduct the check themselves via our user-friendly platform. We recommend that the Gas Safety Check is performed at least once a year to ensure that all appliances are in working properly and don't pose any danger to the occupants.
It is not the duty of tenants to get the issue of a gas safety certificate, or have their appliances checked. It is the landlord's responsibility to arrange an annual inspection, and issue a certificate of gas safety.
How much will a Gas Safety Certificate cost?
A gas safety certificate is an obligation for landlords to ensure their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a safety check for gas appliances is different in accordance with the size of your home, location and number of appliances.
It is crucial to inform your tenants of when the inspection is scheduled to take place so they can prepare. It's important to explain the reason they should let the engineer to conduct the check. It's not uncommon for tenants to be reluctant to allow access to their property because they believe it's an invasion of privacy or that they could be in danger if the engineer doesn't have access to inspect the boiler, fireplace or other appliances. It's important to remind them that it's a legal requirement and could also lead to the tenant facing fines or criminal charges if they fail to allow access and there is a problem with your appliance is discovered, for instance, carbon monoxide poisoning.
The gas engineer will give you a copy of the certificate after the inspection is complete. The certificate will include the date, the engineer's contact details, your property address and an inventory of all appliances and installations that were inspected. The report will also list the appliances or installations that failed the test and any work that was required.
A Gas Safe certificate will usually be in the form of an ordinary black and yellow document. Your engineer will send you an original for every appliance or installation they have examined. It is recommended to keep this certificate to refer to in the future and you'll also have to provide a copy of it to your tenants.
The gas engineer will 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 its expiration. You should also provide a copy of it to any new tenants moving in.