What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?

A gas safety certificate is a document that includes all the tests and inspections that engineers perform on your gas appliances. These inspections help reduce the chance of poisoning by carbon monoxide at home.

The law requires that landlords conduct these inspections annually. They must also be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate is an official document which confirms that the installations and appliances of your property have all been inspected by a certified engineer. This assures you that they are safe for use. It's a legal requirement that landlords to have their gas appliances and flues checked every year to avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious accidents. Landlords who fail to comply with these rules could face fines or even prosecution.

A gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection of the house prior to issuing the document, which will contain details of each appliance and installations they test. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any recommendations for further actions. The landlord's name and address will be recorded on the certificate along with a date when the test was carried out.

Gas safety certificates are available in two distinct types of certificates: domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for residential properties like studios, homes 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 give the details of each appliance they have been examining.

Who should undergo a gas safety inspection? Anyone who owns, rents or owns the property with any gas appliance of any kind. This includes private homeowners as in housing associations, local authorities, hotels and other hospitality venues. Landlords are required to inspect their properties and issue the most recent 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 a managing agent it is crucial to make sure that they are the ones to plan the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent can't let you out of the legal obligation to have your property tested and to provide your tenants with an official Gas Safety Record.

Although it's not an obligation for homeowners to keep their own records on gas safety however, they can be useful when it comes to selling the property as potential buyers will want evidence that the appliances have been 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 in place prior to selling.

Who requires a Gas Safety Certificate Check Safety Certificate?

Gas Safe registered engineers will be required to check any gas appliance or pipework within a commercial or domestic property. This includes landlords, building owners and tenants living in a building managed by an agency that manages the building.

Gas Safe engineers must check and certify that all appliances, flues, and fittings in rental properties are safe every 12 months. gas certificates Safety Certificates or CP12 are an essential part of every rental property. It is illegal for landlords to let out properties without this document.

In the case of homeowners, even though they aren't subject to the same legal obligations as landlords, it is still a good idea take advantage of an annual gas Safety Check done once a year. This will ensure that the boiler is in good working order and will highlight any issues that may need to be fixed.

The gas safety certificate will typically 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 identification numbers. The certificate will also list the appliances that were tested and will indicate whether they passed or failed. If any appliances were deemed to be unsafe, they will be marked as not compliant (NCS), Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).

This document will be given to homeowners at the end of the service. It should be kept in a safe place for future reference. This document is a great idea for homeowners when they are selling their home. It can reassure buyers that the property is safe for gas.

What is included in the Gas Safety Certificate

A gas safety certificate will include an exhaustive list of all the gas appliances and the 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 usually begins with a header that lists the date and time of the inspection. The document will then list the appliances checked along with their condition, as well as any safety issues or actions taken.

The gas safety certificate includes information about the property where the inspection was conducted, and also the details of the landlord gas safety certificates or managing agents. The certificate should include the address, postcode and any other relevant identifiers to differentiate between different properties. It must also include the name of the engineer and Gas Safe Register ID number and their signature.

Landlords are legally required to schedule regular gas safety checks in their let properties. It is crucial 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 risk to the occupants. If any appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will mark them as such on the certificate. There are three codes that signify an appliance's safety level three codes: Immediately Dangerous (ID), At Risk (AR) or Not to Current Standards (NCS).

It is crucial for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates up to date, as they can be legally required when selling the property. Potential buyers might request the documents as part of their due diligence. They could use them to identify any issues they require to address prior to purchasing the property.

Landlords can arrange for a gas safety inspection with a Gas Safe registered engineer, or they can do it themselves through our user-friendly platform. We recommend that the gas safety certificate duplicate Safety Check is performed at least once a year to ensure that the appliances are in good properly and don't pose any safety risks to the residents.

It is not the obligation of tenants to arrange an annual gas safety certificate or have their appliances inspected. It is the landlord's responsibility conduct an annual inspection and issue an official certificate of gas safety.

How much does a Gas Safety Certificate cost?

A gas safety certificate is legally required for landlords in order to ensure that their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a safety inspection for gas appliances is different depending on your property's size, location and number of appliances.

It is essential to inform your tenants about when the inspection will be taking place to allow them to prepare. It's important to explain the reason they should permit the engineer to do the check. Some tenants are hesitant to allow access due to the belief that it's an invasion of privacy or might be at risk if they don't allow the engineer to examine the fireplace, boiler or other appliances. You must remind them that it is an obligation under the law. It is also possible to face fines or criminal charges when an engineer is unable to access the fireplace, boiler or any other appliance.

The gas engineer will provide you a copy of the certificate after the inspection is complete. It will include the date of the service as well as the details of the engineer and your property address and a complete list of all appliances or installations that were tested. It will also mention if any of the appliances or installations failed the tests and will outline any work that needs to be done.

Gas Safe certificates are usually in black and yellow and your engineer will provide you a copy for each appliance or installation they've been examining. This documentation should be kept for future reference and you must also give copies to each of your tenants.

Your gas engineer will also give you a copy of the Gas Safety Record, which is valid for 12 months from the date of inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to its expiration. It is also recommended to give a copy of it to any new tenants that move into your property.