Gas Safety Certificate, If you manage or own the property that is equipped with any kind of gas appliances, you should possess a current Gas Safety Certificate. This article we’ll describe what is a Gas Safety Certificate is, how to obtain one and what the consequences for not having a valid certification are.
What Is A Gas Safety Certificate?
The Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) is a vital document that confirms that a home is safe for living from a gas point of view. It is legally required for the UK for all properties that is gas-powered, including commercial and residential properties as well as domestic ones.
It is not only the appliances but also the people living in your home if you don’t take the proper safety precautions for gas. This is the reason having your gas appliances inspected each year is crucial to ensure safety and efficiency. This is why only an Gas Safe qualified engineer should conduct the inspection.
What Does A Gas Safety Certificate Include?
As homeowner, you are accountable for the security of your family and home. This includes ensuring that your appliances and systems are secure and functioning properly. A crucial safety device within your home is the gas line.
The gas system in your home includes all of the plumbing, appliances as well as other devices which use natural gas within your home. This system needs to be checked and maintained regularly to ensure it is working properly and safely.
While the exact format of the form is not defined from Gas Safe registry, it is recommended to use the following format: Gas Safe registry, it must contain the following information, regardless of the person who is performing the task:
Description and location of every tested item as well as chimney
Checker’s full name and checker’s registration number and the signature of the checker.
The last inspection of the heater or chimney was conducted.
The location where the flue or appliance is and who is the landlord and the address they live in are all mandatory elements of information (or their agent if appropriate)
Any safety issue discovered and what steps were taken to correct it
A Gas Safety Certificate is required by whom?
Even though having an annual check or service for your gas appliances in order to ensure they’re operating properly and safely is not mandatory by law however, it is highly advised. It’s essential to confirm the insurance company you have with however, you might need an Gas Safety certificate for them to protect your home.
It’s also important to remember that the warranty for your boiler will be valid only when you have regular maintenance done on it.
Landlords:
Landlords are legally required to conduct an inspection of gas safety carried out at least once a year on their property and then issue an official certificate of conformity. Every gas appliance that are in your rental units must be checked and you must save an original certificate to file in your own records, as well as provide copies to all your tenants.
Documentation Regarding the Security of Gas Systems:
Tenants have the right receive a copy Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, Record from their landlord within 28 days following the annual service is complete. Additionally, it must be available to tenants who are new at the beginning of their tenure.
Maintenance:
Gas appliances and chimneys, fixtures and flues have to be maintained in good working in all instances at the request of your landlord.
Landlords aren’t required to keep records of maintenance however, they must be able to prove that all repairs required and routine checks have been made on all appliances and plumbing.
How do I get a Gas Safe Certificate?
One method to make sure that the gas you use is safe to use is to obtain an official Gas safety certificates. The gas safety certification is a legal document that confirms that the gas system in your home has been examined and is safe for use. To obtain a gas safety certificate, you’ll require a licensed Gas Safe engineer to inspect the gas system in your home. The engineer will inspect every piece of equipment and appliances at home that are gas-powered and also the pipes. After the inspection is completed the engineer will present you with a certificate of gas safety.
A gas Safe Certificate may be obtained by arranging each year a meeting with a licensed Gas Safe engineer to examine all gas appliances within the home.
While inspecting your gas appliance your technician may be searching for a variety of elements.
The pressure of air and the quality that enters your device should be perfect to ensure it functions properly.
The appliance is clean flue, which allows to release safely byproducts from combustion.
The device is working normal and does not pose a risk for anyone.
After the gas safety test the engineer will send you a copy the report outlining the scope of check and the state of any issues that were identified.
How Do I Get A Gas Safety Certificate?
If you’re a landlord, or have a home with gas appliances, then you’ll require an Gas Safety Certificate to show that your appliances are safe. Here’s how you can get one:
Employ an accredited Gas Safe engineer to check your appliances and issue a certification.
Be sure that the engineer has checked every appliance type that is required for your certificate. This will be stated when you hire the engineer.
After the engineer has inspected the appliances, they’ll sign the certificate and hand it over to you.
Save the certificate in a secure location – you’ll have to give this to the tenants, or anyone else who might be interested in buying if you decide to sell your property.
Gas safety Certificates last for 12 months. So make sure to book an engineer to visit and renew it prior to when expiry.
How much will it cost to purchase a Gas Safety Certificate?
The cost of the Gas Safety Certificate depends on the location of your home and the number of appliances that must be examined. There is no fixed price for the gas safety certificate, instead, it will be determined based on the quantity of appliances you have in your home. The expertise that the technician has, the price can range between PS35 or PS150. The average cost for the certificate for one gas appliance is about PS60 to the property owner. If you buy a certificate to cover multiple gas appliances the cost will increase with per unit.
How often do you require a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certification, sometimes referred to the CP12 lasts for 12 consecutive months from the date of inspection. Then, you’ll have to obtain a second one. It’s crucial to ensure that you obtain an official gas safety certificate from an authorized engineer. If you don’t, you could be in breach of law and placing your tenants in danger.
Who is able to be the person to issue a gas safety certification?
Gas safety certificates (also called a CP12) is only issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They are the only ones competent to conduct gas safety inspections.
If you reside in rental property, your landlord is legally obliged to give you an annual gas safety certificate. 12 months. The Gas Safe registered engineer will perform a series inspections of your gas appliances, and issue the certificate only if they’re satisfied that everything is in good working order.
What is the consequence if you don’t possess a gas safety certification?
If you don’t possess an official gas safety certificate in place, you’re placing your family and yourself at risk. The flues and gas appliances have to be regularly inspected and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure they are safe for use. If you don’t possess a valid gas safety certification the landlord may be prosecuted, and you may be charged for any damage or repairs.
Conclusion:
The Gas Safety Certificate is an essential document that every owner or landlord should possess. It does not just protect you from being held liable in the case of an accident it also shows you are serious about gas safety. If you don’t have a Gas Safety Certificate, make sure you get the one you need as fast as you can.
