Why Landlords Need to Get a Gas Safety Certificate Near Me
A gas safety certificate is the document that an engineer is able to provide after he has examined the gas appliances and infrastructure of your home. The certificate will contain the name of the engineer as well as the address of your residence and a list of all the gas appliances that were assessed by the engineer.
What is a gas safety certificate?
No matter if you're renting your property or not, obtaining a Gas Safety Certificate is one of the best ways to be sure that all your appliances and pipework are working properly. This will ensure that no one is at risk of getting carbon monoxide poisoning or any other gas-related accident.
To get a Gas Safety Certificate you will have to talk to a registered Gas Safe engineer. They will be able to check all your appliances and give you an official certificate stating that they are safe to use. This is an obligation for landlords who rent out properties, and is also beneficial for homeowners who want to ensure that their home is safe for their family.
The kind of Gas Safety Certificate you need will depend on the type of property you're inspecting. If the property is one for residential use then you'll require a Domestic Gas Safety Certificate. This certificate confirms that the gas appliances are in good working order and are safe.
If you're looking into an undomestic structure, then you'll need a Commercial Gas Safety Certificate (CP13). This certifies that all of gas installations and equipment in a commercial setting, such as an office or a shop are safe and in good working condition.
Gas Safe registered engineers should only be able to conduct your inspections. Anyone who is not registered could put you and your tenants at risk, and they may not have the abilities and expertise to complete the job correctly.
As a landlord, you'll be required to keep a record of all your gas safety checks and give them to new tenants who move in after the check has been completed. This will safeguard you from any potential liability in the future should any accidents do occur.
Although a Gas Safety Certificate is not required for homeowners, it's still a good idea to have your home and appliances inspected every year by a certified engineer. This will help to make sure that your appliances are safe to use and will be able to stand up to many years of wear and tear over time. A valid Gas Safety Certificate can also improve the chances of selling if you decide to sell it in the future.
How do I obtain an gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is a crucial step for landlords to complete, ensuring that their property is safe for tenants. Landlords should have their gas appliances and infrastructure inspected regularly. A certificate is issued following each inspection.
A gas safety certificate describes the findings of a property's inspection and includes details such as the address of the property, the details of the engineer who carried out the check and a complete list of the appliances that were used in the test. The document will also detail any issues that were discovered and the actions taken to correct the issue, if needed.
The certificate will be issued by the Gas Safe registered engineer after the property has been thoroughly checked and cleared. The certificate will be valid for 12 months, and landlords should always have a copy on hand when they rent out their property to tenants. If you notice that your landlord's gas safety certificate is slated expire, it's vital to contact them to schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Failure to do this could expose the property to a fine, or even the possibility of imprisonment.
If your landlord isn't willing to conduct a gas safety check or other gas safety check, you can request them to do so or file a complaint with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It's best not to do this unless you have other options - HSE inspectors are faced with a large volume of complaints and often do not have the time or resources to examine each case in isolation.
Homeowners aren't required to have an official gas safety certificate however it is suggested to have an annual check. This will ensure they are in compliance with the law and may help make their home more attractive to buyers if they decide to sell it in the future. The process of obtaining an official gas safety certificate is quite simple and requires scheduling a visit by an Gas Safe registered engineer to examine the property. Many engineers offer online verification that makes the process even more streamlined and easy. Many engineers also offer digital copies of gas safety certificates which can be accessed anywhere via an internet connection.
What is the consequence if I don't possess a gas safety certificate?
Millions of people live in homes across the UK that are powered by gas appliances. These appliances, and the pipes that deliver them to your home, need to be inspected to ensure that they are safe for use. This is the responsibility of landlords, as outlined in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
The law requires that every properties rented must have a gas safety inspection conducted on a regular basis. It is a serious obligation, and failing conduct the inspection could put tenants at risk. Landlords who fail to comply with the law may face a number penalties.
Landlords are required to give an original copy of their gas safety certificate to tenants within 28 days after an inspection. Landlords can be fined up to a maximum of PS6,000 for failing to provide this document, and may even face legal actions from their tenants or from the council.
If a landlord does not have an approved gas safety certificate, they will not be allowed to rent out their property. If the certificate is expired, it is necessary to get a new one obtained prior to the property being let again. Landlords could be convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to prison for up to six months if they are discovered to have no gas safety certificate.
During the course of a gas safety check engineers will inspect the flue systems and ventilation of each property. They will make sure that all appliances are in good properly and any gas leaks should be dealt with immediately. They will also test and verify that the gas meters are working correctly. The engineer will complete the checklist and give the landlord their CP12 document.
If the engineer considers an appliance to be dangerous, they will indicate this on the CP12 form by ticking the 'Not safe to Use' box. There are three codes that signify the level of safety of an appliance three levels of danger: Immediately Dangerous (ID) At Risk (AR) and Not to Current Standards (NCS). If the engineer determines that any of the appliances is dangerous, he will seek permission to shut off the gas. The landlord will then have to arrange repairs to be made before a new CP12 is issued.
How much does a gas safety certificate cost?
Gas safety certificates are an important part of any landlord's duty and can protect tenants from carbon monoxide poisoning. Many landlords aren't sure about the cost of the inspection as well as the factors that influence it.
The cost of a certificate of gas safety is not a one-size is all solution. It depends on many aspects, including the experience and expertise of the engineer, the size of your home and if you have to undertake any additional work. It is also worth bearing in mind that some companies offer a service plan that includes both an annual gas safety inspection as well as boiler maintenance, which could be a cheaper option than paying for the two services separately.
Typically, a CP12 gas safety certificate is priced between PS60 and PS120 for properties that have one hob, gas fireplace, and boiler. The price will increase when you have more than two gas appliances. This is because the engineer has to inspect each appliance more thoroughly. Additionally, the location of the property could affect the price, with prices often higher in London than other regions of the country.
Landlords need to be aware that their insurance could be invalidated if a valid certificate of gas safety is not in place. It is essential that landlords shop around to find a registered Gas Safe engineer who can provide an CP12 Gas Safety Certificate at an affordable cost.
In addition to ensuring the gas appliances and boiler are safe and secure, having a CP12 gas safety certificate could also provide an opportunity for landlords to identify any issues before they become serious issues. This could save them money in the future, and help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
A gas safety certification may seem like a waste of money however, it's something that every landlord must take into consideration. Not only will it help to keep tenants safe, but it can be an essential aspect of securing future sales, as potential buyers are likely to request the current Gas Safe record before completing the purchase.