The Story Behind Gas Safety Certificate Check Is One That Will Haunt You Forever!

· 6 min read
The Story Behind Gas Safety Certificate Check Is One That Will Haunt You Forever!

What is a Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One?

A gas safety certification is a document that includes all the tests and inspections that an engineer conducts on your gas appliances. These inspections lower the chance of poisoning by carbon monoxide at home.

Landlords are required by law to arrange the inspections on an annual basis. They must also be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all appliances and installations within your home have been inspected by a qualified engineer to ensure they are safe to use. It is a legal requirement for landlords to have their flues and gas appliances checked every year to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, or other serious accidents. Landlords who do not adhere to these rules could be penalized or fined.

A gas engineer will conduct an exhaustive inspection of the home prior to issuing the document that will include the details of all the appliances and installations they test. The report will show whether the appliances and installations passed or failed, as well as any recommendations for further action. The certificate will also include the name of the landlord, address and the date the test was conducted.

Gas safety certificates are available in two distinct kinds that are domestic and non-domestic. The first is intended for residential properties such as flats, studios, and homes. The other is for commercial properties like offices and warehouses. Both certificates need to be renewed each year and the engineer must issue a copy for each appliance that has been checked.

Who needs to have a gas safety inspection? Anyone who owns, leases or has a property that has any gas appliance of any kind. This includes private homeowners as also housing associations, local authorities and hotels and hospitality venues. Landlords are required to have their properties checked and to provide their tenants with the latest Gas Safety Record, as they are legally responsible for ensuring that their tenants are secure in the properties they lease or own.

If you own a house that is managed by an agent managing the property It is essential to ensure that they are the ones to organize the annual gas safety inspection and service. A managing agent will not disqualify you from the legal requirement to have the property tested, and also to give your tenants a Gas Safety Record.

Although it's not a legal requirement for homeowner-occupiers to keep their own records of gas safety however, they can be useful when it comes to selling the property, as prospective buyers will be looking for proof that the appliances are maintained and are safe. Additionally, the TA6 form that's part of the conveyancing process requires for a gas safety report, so it's best to have one in place prior to selling.

Who requires an Gas Safety Certificate?

Basically everyone who owns a residential or commercial property that is equipped with gas appliances and pipework will need to have them checked by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes landlords, building owners and some tenants who live in a property managed by an agency that manages the building.

Landlords are bound by a variety of legal obligations, and one of these is to ensure that all flues, appliances and fittings are examined and considered safe by an Gas Safe engineer every 12 months. This is known as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 and is an essential part of any rental property. It is illegal for landlords to rent 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 get an annual Gas Safety Check done once a year. This will help keep their boilers and gas appliances in good shape and can also highlight any issues that require fixing, 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 engineer who performed the inspection, along with the address of the property, the postcode and any other relevant identifications. The certificate will also list all appliances that were inspected and will indicate whether they passed or failed. If appliances are deemed to be unsafe they will be classified as not Compliant(NCS) or Immediately Hazardous (ID) and At Risk (AR).

This document will be presented to the homeowner at the conclusion of the service. It should be kept in a safe place for future reference. This document is a great idea for homeowners who are selling their house. It will reassure potential buyers that the home is gas-safe.

What is included in what is included in a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate contains the complete list of all the gas appliances and the infrastructure that an engineer has examined. The certificate also contains details about the engineer, including their name and Gas Safe Register number. The document is usually accompanied by an introduction that lists the date and location of the inspection. The document will then list the appliances that were inspected as well as their condition and any safety issues or actions taken.

The gas safety certificate contains information about the house where the inspection was conducted as well as details of the landlord or managing agents. The certificate must contain the address, postcode, as well as any relevant identifiers that distinguish the properties. The certificate must also contain the engineer's ID number as well as name along with the signature.

Landlords are legally required to conduct regular gas safety inspections in their properties they let. This is to ensure that all the gas appliances and pipework are safe to use and that there aren't any leaks or other hazards that could pose a risk for the occupants. The engineer will mark the certificate if the appliances are unsafe. Three codes are used to indicate the level of safety of an appliance: immediately Dangerous, At Risk or Not Current Standards.

It is crucial for landlords to keep their gas safety certificates up to date, as they may be a legal requirement when selling a property. Prospective buyers may ask for the records as part of their due diligence and can use them to find any issues they need to resolve before buying the property.

Landlords can arrange for an appointment for a Gas Safety Inspection with an Gas Safe registered Engineer, or they can do it themselves using our user-friendly platform. We recommend that a Gas Safety Check is performed at least once a year to ensure that the appliances are in good order and do not present any safety hazards to the residents.

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

What is the cost of 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 as well as how many gas appliances need inspection.

It's important to communicate with your tenants and inform them when the inspection will take place to ensure that they are prepared for it. It's important to explain to them why they should permit the engineer to conduct the check. Some tenants are hesitant to grant access to their property because they believe it is an invasion of privacy or might be at risk should they not allow the engineer to examine the boiler, fireplace or other appliances. You should remind that this is an obligation under the law. They could also face penalties or fines if an engineer cannot access the fireplace, boiler, or any other appliances.

After the gas engineer has completed the inspection, they will give you a the gas safety certificate. The certificate will include the date, the engineer's contact details along with your address at the property and a list of all appliances and installations that were examined. The report will also include any appliances or installations that failed the test and any work that was required.

Gas Safe certificates are usually in yellow and black and your engineer will provide you a copy of every appliance or installation they have inspected. This documentation should be kept for future reference and you should also provide an original copy to each tenant.


Your gas engineer will also provide you with a copy the Gas Safety Record, which will be valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. You must ensure that you renew your Gas Safety Certificate before it expires.  gas safety certificate cp12  should also give a copy to tenants who are about to move into your property.