What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?

A gas safety certificate is a document which lists all the tests and inspections an engineer performs on your gas appliances. These inspections reduce the chance of poisoning by carbon monoxide at home.

The law requires that landlords conduct these inspections annually. They should also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certification is a legal document that demonstrates that the appliances and installations of your property have been inspected by a certified engineer. This ensures that they are safe for use. It's a legal requirement for 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 do not adhere to these rules could be fined or prosecuted.

A gas engineer will conduct a thorough inspection of the property before issuing the document which will include specifics of the appliances and installations they test. The document will state whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any recommendations for further actions. The name and address of the landlord will be noted on the certificate, along with the date that the test was conducted.

There are two kinds of gas safety certificates: domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for homes, flats and studios, while the latter refers to commercial properties such as warehouses or office buildings. Both certificates must be renewed each year. The engineer will provide an exact copy of every appliance they have examined.

Who is eligible for gas safety checks? Anyone who owns, leases or owns an apartment or property that is equipped with any gas appliance of any kind. This includes private homeowners housing associations, housing associations, local authorities, hotels and other hospitality venues, as well as schools. Landlords must check their properties and issue the most recent Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally responsible for ensuring that their tenants are secure in their homes, whether they rent or own them.

If you have a home that is managed by an agent managing the property, it is important to make sure that they are the ones to organize the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent will not disqualify you from the legal obligation to have your property tested, and to provide your tenants with an official Gas Safety Record.

Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowner-occupiers to keep their own records of gas safety, they can be helpful when it comes to selling the property since potential buyers will want evidence that the appliances are maintained and are safe. The TA6 form that is a part of the conveyancing process will also require an evidence of gas safety, so it's a good idea have one before selling.

Who needs a Gas Safety Certificate?

Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to examine any gas appliance or pipework in the domestic or commercial property. This includes landlords, building owner, and some tenants living in a building that is managed by an agency managing the building.

Landlords are subject to a range of legal obligations. One of these is to ensure that all flues, appliances, and fittings are checked and certified 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 illegal for the landlord to let out any property that is not accompanied by this document.

While homeowners don't have to comply with the same legal requirements as landlords must, it's recommended to have a gas Safety Check once a year. This will keep their boiler in good working order and identify any issues that require fixing.

The head of the gas safety certificate will typically include the registration and name of the person who conducted the inspection as well as any other identifiers that are relevant. It will also include an inventory of all appliances that were tested, as well as the information on whether they passed or failed. If any appliances were found to be unsafe they will be labeled as not compliant (NCS), Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).

This document is issued to the homeowner after the service has been completed and should be kept somewhere safe to be able to refer to it in the future. It is recommended for homeowners to keep this document with them when they sell their property, as it can assure prospective buyers that the home is gas safe.

What is Included in what is included in a Gas Safety Certificate?

The gas safety certificate includes the list of all gas appliances and infrastructures an engineer has examined. The certificate also includes details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document usually begins with a header listing the date and place of the inspection. Then, it lists the appliances that were examined, their status and any action taken or safety issues identified.

The gas safety certificate includes information about the property where the inspection was conducted along with the information of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must include the address, postcode, and any other relevant identifiers to differentiate between different properties. The certificate should also contain the engineer's ID number as well as name and signature.

Landlords are legally required to schedule regular gas safety checks in their let properties. It is essential to ensure that the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and that there aren't any leaks or dangers that could pose a danger to the occupants. If any appliances are found be unsafe the engineer will label them as such on the certificate. There are three codes that show the safety rating of an appliance that are 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 property. As part of their due diligence, potential buyers can request the certificates and utilize them to pinpoint any issues they need to address prior to purchasing the property.

Landlords can arrange for an inspection of their gas supply through a Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they can do it themselves by using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that the Gas Safety Check is performed every year at a minimum to ensure that all appliances are in good in good condition and do not present any safety hazards to the occupants.

It is not up to tenants to get the gas safety certification or have their appliances inspected. This is the landlord's responsibility, who is required to arrange an annual inspection and issue an official gas safety certificate to their tenants.

How much does a Gas Safety Certificate cost?

A gas safety certificate is a legal requirement for landlords to ensure that their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a gas safety test will vary depending on the size and location of your property and how many gas appliances need checking.

It is important to inform your tenants about when the inspection is scheduled to take place to allow them to prepare. It can also help to explain why it's crucial for them to allow access so that the engineer can carry out the check. Some tenants are reluctant to give access due to the belief that it is an privacy invasion or they could be in danger if they don't allow the engineer to inspect the boiler, fireplace or other appliances. It's important to remind them that it's a legal requirement and could result in the tenant facing fines or criminal charges if they do not permit access if a problem with your appliance is discovered, for instance, carbon monoxide poisoning.

After the gas engineer has completed the inspection, they will provide you with the gas safety certificate. This will include the date of the service along with the details of the engineer's name as well as your property address, along with a full list of all installations or appliances that were inspected. It will also mention whether any of the appliances or installations failed the tests. It will detail the work that must be completed.

A Gas Safe certificate will usually be in the form of a standard black and white document. Your engineer will give you an original for every appliance or installation they have been examining. This documentation should be kept for future reference and you must also give copies to each tenant.

The gas engineer will provide you with a copy of the Gas Safety Record, which will be valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is essential to renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires, and you should also give a copy to new tenants when they move in.