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What is  gas safe installation certificate  and Who Needs One?

A gas safety certification is a document that lists all the tests and inspections engineers perform on your gas appliances. These inspections lower the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning in your home.

Landlords are required by law to conduct these inspections on a regular basis. Gas Safe registered engineers must also conduct inspections.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certification is a valid document that demonstrates that the appliances and installations of your home have been checked by a qualified engineer. This ensures that they are safe to use. It's a legal requirement that landlords to have their gas appliances and flues inspected every year to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who do not comply with these regulations are subject to fines or even criminal prosecution.

A gas engineer will carry out an extensive inspection of the property before issuing the document, which will contain details of all the appliances and installations they tested. The document will state whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, and any suggestions for further action. The landlord's name and address will be noted on the certificate as well as the date that the test was completed.

There are two kinds of gas safety certificates: domestic and non-domestic. The first one is for residential properties, such as homes, studios and flats. The other is for commercial properties, such as warehouses and offices. Both certificates need to be renewed every year and the engineer will provide a copy of each appliance they have inspected.

Who is required to undergo gas safety inspections? Anyone who owns, leases or owns an apartment or property that is equipped with any type of gas appliance. This includes private homeowners, housing associations and local authorities, hotels and other hospitality venues, as well as schools. Landlords are particularly required to have their properties inspected and to issue their tenants with the most recent Gas Safety Record, as they are legally accountable to ensure that their tenants stay safe in the properties they lease or own.

If you own a property that is managed by a managing agent It is essential to ensure that they are the ones to arrange the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent can't relieve you of the legal requirement to have the property tested, and to give your tenants a Gas Safety Record.

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

Who requires needing a Gas Safety Certificate?

In essence anyone who owns a domestic or commercial property with gas-powered appliances and pipes must have them examined by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer. This will include landlords, building owners, and even some tenants who may reside in a house that is managed by an agent managing the building.

Gas Safe engineers must check and certify that all appliances, flues and fittings in rental properties are safe every 12 months. This is known as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is an essential element of any rental property. It is unlawful for the landlord to let out any property without this document.

In terms of homeowners, while they do not have the same legal obligations as landlords, it's still a good idea to take advantage of an annual Gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that the boiler is in good condition and identify any issues that might require fixing.

The gas safety certificate will usually contain a header which displays the name and registration number of the engineer who carried out the inspection, as well as the address of the property, the postcode, and any other pertinent identifications. The certificate will also list all appliances that were tested and will indicate whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed to be unsafe they will be classified as not Compliant(NCS) immediately hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).

This document will be given to the homeowner at the conclusion of the service. It should be saved securely for future reference. It is an excellent idea 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 a Gas Safety Certificate

A gas safety certificate will include the complete list of all the gas appliances and the infrastructure that an engineer has examined. The certificate also includes information on the engineer including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document usually begins with a header displaying the date and place of the inspection. It then shows the appliances that were scrutinized, their condition and any actions taken or safety concerns that were discovered.

The gas safety certificate includes details about the property in which 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 properties. The certificate must also include the engineer's ID number as well as name and signature.

Landlords are required to conduct regular gas safety inspections in their rental properties. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and there are no leaks or other risks that could pose a risk to occupants. If appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will label them as in the certificate. Three codes are used to indicate the level of safety of an appliance: immediately Dangerous, At Risk or Not Current Standards.

Gas safety certificates are a legal requirement for landlords selling their home. Prospective buyers may ask for the records as part of their due diligence and could use them to identify any issues that they need to resolve before buying the property.

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

It is not the duty of tenants to arrange the issue of a gas safety certificate, or have their appliances checked. This is the landlord's responsibility, who must arrange an annual inspection and issue gas safety certificates to their tenants.

How Much Does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?

Gas safety certificates are legally required for landlords to must get to ensure the safety of their rental properties. The cost of a gas safety check will vary depending on the size and location of your property as well as the number of gas appliances that require checking.

It is important to inform your tenants when the inspection will take place to allow them to prepare. It's also a good idea to explain to them why they should permit the engineer to conduct the inspection. It's not unusual for some tenants to be hesitant to grant access as they may feel it's an invasion of privacy or that they could 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 result in them facing fines or even criminal charges if they fail to permit access if a problem with your appliance is discovered, like carbon monoxide poisoning.

The gas engineer will provide you an official copy of the certificate after the inspection is completed. It will include the date of the service along with the details of the engineer's name and your property address, along with a full list of all installations or appliances that were inspected. It will also note whether any of the appliances or installations failed the tests and will detail any work that needs to be completed.

Gas Safe certificates are usually in yellow and black, and your engineer will give you a copy for each appliance or installation they have examined. It is recommended to keep this certificate for future reference and also to provide a copy to your tenants.

Your gas engineer will send you a copy of the Gas Safety Record. This record is valid for 12 month from the date of inspection. It is essential to renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires. You must also give a copy to new tenants when they move into the property.