What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?

A gas safety certification is a document that contains all the tests and inspections an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections lower the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning at home.

Landlords are required by law to arrange these inspections on an annual basis. They must also be conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all the appliances and installations in your property have been checked by a licensed engineer to make sure they are safe to use. Gas appliances and flues must be inspected by a certified engineer every year. This is a legal requirement in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who do not comply with these regulations face fines or even prosecution.

A gas engineer will conduct an extensive inspection of the property before issuing the report which will include details of all the appliances and installations they test. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further actions. The certificate will also include the landlord's name, address, and the date the test was conducted.

There are two types of gas safety certificates: domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for residential properties such as studios, homes and flats. The second is for commercial properties such as warehouses and offices. Both certificates need to be renewed annually and the engineer will issue the details of each appliance they have been examining.

Who needs to have a gas safety inspection? The answer is anyone who leases or owns out a property that has any gas appliance or installation. This includes homeowners who are private, housing associations and local authorities, hotels and other hospitality venues, as well as schools. Landlords are required to inspect their properties and provide the most current Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally responsible to ensure that their tenants are secure in their homes regardless of whether they rent or own them.

If you own a house 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's appointment does not relieve you of the legal obligation to have the property tested and provide your tenants with the most recent Gas Safety Record.

It's not a requirement for homeowners to keep gas safety records. However, they can be useful when selling a home. Potential buyers would like to see proof that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. Furthermore the TA6 form that is part of the conveyancing process requires for a gas safety certificate Check safety report which is why it's a good idea to have one prior to selling.

Who requires needing a Gas Safety Certificate?

Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to check any gas appliances or pipework in a commercial or domestic property. This includes landlords, building owners, and some tenants who live in a building managed by an agency managing the building.

Gas Safe engineers must check and confirm that all appliances, flues, and fittings in rental properties are safe every 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are an essential element of any rental property. It is against the law for landlords to rent out the property without this certificate.

In terms of homeowners, even though they aren't subject to the same legal obligations as landlords, it's still a good idea get a Gas Safety Check done once a year. This will keep their boiler in good working order and identify any issues that might need to be fixed.

The head of the gas safety certificate will typically include the registration and name of the engineer who performed the inspection as well as any other identifiers that are relevant. The certificate will also list all appliances that were inspected and note whether they passed or failed. If any appliances were deemed to be dangerous, they will be marked as not compliant (NCS), Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).

This document will be presented to homeowners at the end of the service. It should be kept securely to be used in the future. It is recommended for homeowners to have this document when selling their property, as it can assure potential 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 includes the complete list of all gas appliances and 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 listing the date and place of the inspection. The document then lists the appliances inspected, their condition, and any safety issues or actions taken.

The gas safety certificate contains specifics about the property where the inspection took place, as well as the name of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must contain an address, postcode and any identifiers which distinguish different properties. It also includes the name of the engineer as well as Gas Safe Register ID number, as well as their signature.

Landlords must conduct regular gas safety inspections in their properties they lease. It is crucial to ensure that the gas appliances and pipework can be safely used and that there are no leaks or other dangers that could pose a risk to the residents. If appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will mark them as in the certificate. There are three codes that signify the safety rating of an appliance that are immediately dangerous (ID) At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS).

It is essential for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates up-to date, as they may be legally required when selling a property. Buyers who are considering buying the property may request the records as part of their due diligence. They could use them to identify any issues that they need to address prior to purchasing the property.

Landlords can schedule a gas safety inspection with a Gas Safe registered engineer, or conduct the check themselves through our user-friendly platform. We recommend arranging the Gas Safety Check at least once every 12 months, to make sure that all of 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 arrange a gas safety certificate or have their appliances checked. It is the landlord's responsibility to organize an annual inspection and issue the certificate of gas safety.

What is the cost of a Gas Safety Certificate cost?

Gas safety certificates are a legal requirement that landlords must get to ensure the safety of their rental properties. The cost of a gas safety test will differ based on the size and location of your property as well as how many gas appliances need checking.

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 helpful to explain the reason to let them in to allow the engineer to perform the check. Some tenants are reluctant to give access because they feel it's an privacy invasion or they could be in danger in the event that they refuse to permit the engineer to inspect the boiler, fireplace 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 an issue with one of your appliances is found, such as carbon monoxide poisoning.

The gas engineer will send you a copy of the certificate after the inspection is complete. This will include the date of the inspection as well as the details of the engineer and your property address and a complete list of all appliances or installations that were inspected. The report will also list any appliances or installations that failed the test as well as any work that was required.

A Gas Safe certificate will usually be an ordinary black and yellow document, and your engineer will give you an original for every appliance or system they have been examining. This documentation should be kept for future reference and you should also provide copies to each tenant.

The gas engineer will provide you a copy of the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for one month from the date of inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to its expiration. You should also give the certificate to any new tenants that move into your property.