Blog entry by Lorene Baldwin

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mk-gas-safety-logo.pngWhat is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?

A gas safety certification is a document that includes all the tests and inspections an engineer performs on your gas appliances. These inspections lower the risk of poisoning with carbon monoxide in your home.

The law stipulates that landlords must conduct these inspections annually. Gas Safe registered engineers must also conduct inspections.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate is a legal document that proves that all appliances and installations in your property have been checked by a licensed engineer to ensure that 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 stop carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who fail to comply with these regulations could be prosecuted or fined.

Before issuance of the document, the gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection to assess the condition of the appliances and installations. The report will show whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any suggestions for further actions. The name and address of the landlord will be recorded on the certificate as well as a date when the test was completed.

natural-gas-stove-2023-11-27-05-05-29-utc-min-scaled.jpgThere are two types of gas safety certificate for landlords safety certificates: domestic and non-domestic. The first one is for homes, flats and studios, while the latter applies to commercial properties such as warehouses and office buildings. Both certificates must be renewed each year. The engineer will issue a copy of every appliance they have inspected.

Who is required to undergo an inspection for gas safety? Anyone who owns, leases or uses the property with any type of gas appliance. This includes homeowners who are private as in housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality establishments. Landlords are required to have their homes examined and issue their tenants with the latest Gas Safety Record, as they are legally responsible for ensuring that their tenants are secure in the homes they rent or own.

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 plan the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent's appointment does not absolve you of your legal obligation to get 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 on gas safety but they can be useful when it comes to selling the property since potential buyers will be looking for evidence that the appliances have been maintained and are safe. Furthermore, the TA6 form that is part of the conveyancing process requires for a record of gas safety and it's recommended to have one prior to selling.

Who is in need of a Gas Safety Certificate?

Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to inspect any gas appliances or pipework within the domestic or commercial property. This will include landlords and building owners, as well as even tenants who reside in a property that is managed by an agent who manages the property.

Landlords have a number of legal obligations. One of them is to ensure that all flues, appliances and fittings are inspected and considered safe by a Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are an essential part of every rental property. It is unlawful for a landlord to rent out any property that is not accompanied by this document.

In the case of homeowners, while they aren't subject to the same legal obligations as landlords, it's still a good idea to get a gas Safety Check done once a year. This will keep their boiler in good condition and highlight any problems that might require fixing.

The front of the gas safety certificate is likely to include the name and registration numbers of the person who conducted the inspection, along with any other identifiers relevant to the inspection. The certificate will also list all appliances that were tested and note whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed to be unsafe and are classified as Not Compliant(NCS), Immediately Hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).

This document will be given to the homeowner at the end of the service. It should be stored in a safe place to be used in the future. It is usually a good idea for homeowners to carry this document with them when they sell their property, as it will reassure prospective buyers that the home is safe for gas certificate.

what is gas safety certificate is included in a Gas Safety Certificate?

The gas safety certificate includes an inventory of all gas appliances and other infrastructures that an engineer has been examining. It also includes information about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register ID number. The document is usually accompanied by the header, which displays the date and time of the inspection. Then, it shows the appliances that were checked, their status, and any action taken or safety concerns that were discovered.

The gas safety certificate contains information about the property where the inspection was conducted along with the information of the landlord or managing agents. 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 obliged to conduct regular gas safety checks in their let properties. It is important to check that the gas appliances and pipework can be safely used and that there aren't any leaks or dangers that could pose a risk to the residents. If any appliances are found be unsafe, the engineer will mark them as such on the certificate. Three codes are used to determine the level of safety of the appliance: Immediately dangerous, at risk or Not Current Standards.

Gas safety certificates can be an obligation for landlords who are selling their home. Potential buyers might request the documents as part of their due diligence. They can use them to spot any issues they need to address prior to buying the property.

Landlords can arrange an appointment for a Gas Safety Inspection with an Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they may do it themselves by using our user-friendly platform. We suggest arranging a Gas Safety Check at least once every 12 months, to make sure that all 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 obtain the gas safety certification or have their appliances tested. It is the responsibility of the landlord to conduct an annual inspection and issue a certificate of gas safety.

How Much does a gas safety certificate cost - click this -?

Gas safety certificates are legally required for landlords to must obtain to ensure the safety of their rental properties. The cost of a safety test for gas appliances can vary depending on your property's size, location and number of appliances.

It is crucial to inform your tenants of when the inspection will be taking place, so that they can prepare. It's important to explain to them why they should permit the engineer to do the inspection. It's not uncommon for tenants to be hesitant to grant access to their property because they believe it's an invasion of privacy or they may be at risk if the engineer doesn't have access to check the fireplace, boiler or any 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 don't allow access when 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 the gas safety certificate. It will include the date of the service as well as the details of the engineer and your address for your home and a complete list of all installations or appliances that were tested. The report will also list any appliances or installations that failed the test and any work that was required.

A Gas Safe certificate will usually be a standard black and white document, and your engineer will give you a copy for every appliance or installation they have examined. You should keep this documentation for future reference and also to give a copy to your tenants.

Your gas engineer will also provide you with a copy the Gas Safety Record, which is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. You must make sure that you renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires. You should also provide a copy to new tenants when they move in.