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What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?

A gas safety certificate is a document that lists all the tests and inspections engineers perform on your gas appliances. These inspections to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning within your home.

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

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

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

A gas engineer will conduct an extensive inspection of the house prior to issuing the report which will include specifics of the appliances and installations they tested. The document will indicate whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any recommendations for further action. The certificate will include the name of the landlord, address and the date the test was conducted.

Gas safety certificates are available in two distinct types of certificates: domestic and non-domestic. The former is for flats, homes, and studios, while the latter is for commercial properties like warehouses and office buildings. Both certificates must be renewed every year and the engineer must provide a copy for each appliance that they have checked.

Who should undergo gas safety inspections? The answer is anyone who rents out a home with any type of gas appliance or installation. This includes homeowners who are private as well as housing associations, local authorities, hotels and hospitality establishments. Landlords are required to inspect their properties and issue the latest Gas Safety Record to their tenants. They are legally responsible for ensuring that their tenants are safe in their residences, whether they rent or own them.

If you own a home and have an agent managing the care of your property, then it's important to make sure that they are the ones to organize the annual gas safety checks. A managing agent cannot relieve you of the legal obligation to have the property tested and to give your tenants an official Gas Safety Record.

It's not required for homeowners to keep gas safety records. However, they are beneficial when selling a house. Buyers will want to verify that the appliances were maintained and are safe. The TA6 form that is a part of the conveyancing process will also require a record of gas safety which is why it's a good idea to have one before selling.

Who is in need of a Gas Safety Certificate?

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

Landlords have a number of legal obligations, and one of these is to ensure that all flues, appliances, and fittings are checked and certified safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. Gas Safety Certificates or CP12 are a vital element of any rental property. It is unlawful for a landlord to rent out any property without this certificate.

While homeowners aren't required to comply with the same legal obligations that landlords do, it's still recommended to have an annual gas Safety Check once a year. This will ensure that their boiler and all gas appliances in good working order and will also reveal any issues that require fixing, which could save them money in the long term.

The head of the gas safety certificate will typically include the registration and name of the person who conducted the inspection, along with any other relevant identifiers. It will also contain an inventory of all the appliances that were tested and an indication of whether they passed or failed. If any appliance was found to be dangerous they will be labeled as not compliant (NCS), immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR).

The document is then given to the homeowner after the service, and is best kept safe for future reference. This document is ideal for homeowners when they are selling their home. It will reassure potential buyers that the home is safe for gas.

What is included in a Gas Safety Certificate

The gas safety certificate includes a list of all gas appliances and other infrastructures that an engineer has been examining. The certificate also contains information on the engineer including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document usually starts with a header that displays the date and time of the inspection. The document then lists the appliances that were inspected, their condition, and any safety issues or actions taken.

The gas safety certificate contains details about the property in which the inspection was conducted, and also the details of the managing agent or landlord. The certificate must contain the address, postcode and any other identifiers that can be used to distinguish between different properties. The certificate must also include the engineer's ID number as well as name, as well as signature.

Landlords must perform regular gas safety inspections at their rental properties. This is to ensure that all of the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and there aren't any leaks or other dangers that could pose danger to occupants. If any appliances are found to be unsafe the engineer will mark them as such on the certificate. 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 are an obligation for landlords who are selling their home. Potential buyers might request the records as part of their due diligence and can use them to find any issues they need to address prior to buying the property.

Landlords can schedule a gas safety check through an Gas Safe registered engineer, or conduct the check themselves through our user-friendly platform. We recommend arranging a Gas Safety Check at least once every 12 months to make sure that all appliances are in good working in good condition and don't pose any dangers to the people living in the premises.

It is not up to tenants to get the gas safety certification or have their appliances tested. It is the landlord's responsibility organize an annual inspection and issue a certificate of gas safety.

How Much is a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?

A gas safety certificate is a legal requirement for landlords to ensure their rental properties are safe for tenants to use. The cost of a gas safety test will differ based on the size and location of your property and how many gas appliances need checking.

It is crucial to inform your tenants of when the inspection will take place to allow them to prepare. It's also a good idea to explain the reason they should permit the engineer to do the check. It's not unusual for tenants to be hesitant to grant access as they may feel that it is a violation of their privacy or they may be in danger when the engineer doesn't have access to examine the boiler, fireplace or any other appliances. It's important to remind 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.

When the gas engineer is completed the inspection after which they will provide you with an original copy of your gas safety certificate. This will include the date of the inspection, the engineer's details as well as your property address, along with a full list of all installations or appliances that were checked. It will also note whether any of the appliances or installations failed the tests. It will outline any work that needs to be completed.

A Gas Safe certificate will usually be in the form of a standard black and yellow document, and your engineer will send you the certificate for each appliance or installation that they have inspected. Keep this document to refer to in the future and also to give a copy to your tenants.

Your gas engineer will provide you with a copy the Gas Safety Record, which will be valid for 12 months from the date of inspection. You must renew your Gas Safety Certificate prior to its expiration. You should also provide the certificate to any new tenants who move in.