Why Is Gas Safety Certificate Check So Popular?
What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One? A gas safety certificate lists all the inspections and tests an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning at your home. Landlords are required by law to organise these inspections on an annual basis. They must also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer. What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? A gas safety certificate 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 for use. Gas appliances and flues must be inspected by a certified engineer every 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 penalized or fined. Before issuing the document a gas engineer will conduct an extensive inspection to determine the condition of the appliances and installations. The document will state whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further actions. The landlord's name and address will be noted on the certificate as well as a date when the test was carried out. There are two kinds of gas safety certificates that are domestic and non-domestic. The first one is for residential properties such as flats, studios, and homes. The other is for commercial properties, such as warehouses and offices. Both certificates need to be renewed annually and the engineer will issue a copy of each appliance they've inspected. Who is eligible for a gas safety check? Anyone who owns, rents or owns the property with any type of gas appliance. This includes homeowners who are private as well as housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality establishments. Landlords are especially required to have their homes examined and issue their tenants with the most current Gas Safety Record, as they are legally responsible to ensure that their tenants are secure in the properties they lease or own. If you own a house that is managed by an agent who manages the property It is essential to ensure that they are the ones who arrange the annual gas safety inspection and service. The fact that you have a managing agent does not absolve you of your legal obligation to have the property tested and to provide your tenants with the most recent Gas Safety Record. It's not a requirement for homeowners to keep gas safety records. However, they are useful when selling a home. Potential buyers will want to see proof that the appliances are maintained and are safe. Additionally the TA6 form that is part of the conveyancing process will ask for a gas safety report which is why it's a good idea to have one prior to selling. Who requires a Gas Safety Certificate? Essentially anyone who owns a residential or commercial property that is equipped with gas appliances and pipework will need to be checked by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes landlords, building owners and tenants who reside in a property managed by an agency that manages the building. Landlords are subject to a range of legal obligations, and one of them is to ensure that all flues, appliances and fittings are inspected and deemed safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is referred to as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is a vital part of any rental property. It is not legal for a landlord to rent out any property without this certificate. Although gas safety certificate replacement don't have to comply with the same legal obligations that landlords are required to follow, it's recommended to have an annual gas Safety Check once a year. This will help to keep their boiler and all gas appliances in good condition and also help to identify any issues that need repair, which could save them money in the long run. The gas safety certificate will usually contain a header which displays the name and registration number of the person who conducted the inspection, along with the address of the property, the postcode, and any other pertinent identifications. The certificate will also list the appliances that were tested and indicate whether they were successful or not. If any appliance was found to be unsafe, they will be marked as Not Compliant (NCS), Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR). This document is then issued to the homeowner following the service and should be kept in a safe place to be able to refer to it in the future. It is recommended for homeowners to carry this document when selling their home, as it will reassure prospective buyers that the home is gas safe. What is Included in a Gas Safety Certificate? The gas safety certificate contains the list of all gas appliances and infrastructures an engineer has examined. The certificate also includes information on the engineer including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document is usually arranged with a header listing the date and time of the inspection. The document then shows the appliances that were 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 managing agent or landlord. The certificate must include an address, a postcode, and any identifiers that differentiate different properties. The certificate should also contain the engineer's ID number and name, as well as signature. Landlords are legally required to schedule regular gas safety checks in their properties that they let. It is essential to ensure that the gas appliances and pipes can be safely used and that there aren't any leaks or dangers that could pose a threat to the residents. The engineer will mark the certificate if any appliances are unsafe. There are three codes that indicate the safety rating of an appliance: Immediately Dangerous (ID), At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS). Gas safety certificates can be an obligation for landlords who are selling their home. As part of their due diligence, potential buyers may request the records and use them to determine any issues they must address prior to purchasing the property. Landlords can schedule a gas safety check through an Gas Safe registered engineer, or conduct the check themselves using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that a Gas Safety Check is performed at least once a year to ensure that all appliances are in good order and do not pose any danger to the occupants. It is not up to tenants to arrange for an official gas safety certificate or have their appliances checked. It is the responsibility of the landlord, who must schedule an annual inspection and issue a gas safety certificate to their tenants. How much does 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 inspection will vary based on the size and the location of your property, as well as the number of gas appliances that require 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 important to let them in so that the engineer can conduct the inspection. It's not unusual for some tenants to be hesitant to grant access to their property because they believe it's an invasion of their privacy or they may be at risk when the engineer doesn't have access to check the fireplace, boiler or other appliances. It's important to remind them that it's a legal requirement, and could lead to the tenant facing fines or criminal charges if they do not allow access and a problem with one of your appliances is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning. When the gas engineer is completed the inspection after which they will give you a a copy of your gas safety certificate. The certificate will contain the date and the contact information of the engineer as well as your address for the property. It will also include the list of all the appliances and installations that were examined. It will also note that any appliances or installations failed the tests and will outline any work that has to be completed. Gas Safe certificates are usually in black and yellow and your engineer will send you a copy of each appliance or installation they have been examining. This documentation should be kept to be used in the future and you should also provide a copy to each tenant. Your gas engineer will give you a copy the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for one months from the date of the inspection. You must ensure that you renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires. You should also provide a copy to the new tenants when they move into the property.