Why Landlords Need Gas Safety Certificates
A gas safety certificate (also known as a CP12 Landlord Certificate) is an official document that confirms that the appliances, installations and pipework inside a house conform to specific safety standards. This is a vital requirement for landlords. It can help to prevent dangerous gas leaks, ensure there is enough ventilation, and more.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certification is proof that the gas appliances and pipes in the property have been checked by a qualified professional. Gas safety certificates are required for those renting out their apartment, home, or studio as well as cottages, lake houses and studios that use gas appliances. The certificate also indicates that the installation and appliances comply with all current health and safety regulations. MK Gas Safety are required by law. Without one, occupants of a home could be fined or even in prison if there is a problem with the appliance.
The document typically includes details about the engineer that conducted the inspection, including their name and registration number. It also displays the date of the inspection and any findings not noted. A signature on the document helps confirm its authenticity and also provides accountability for the process of inspection.
In addition to information regarding the gas engineer and property, the certificate contains information about all the appliances in the house that were examined. The gas appliances will usually be classified as Non-Compliant (NCS), Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR). Before a new certificate can be issued, any appliance that pose a danger to the health and safety of the occupants need to be removed.
The law requires that landlords have their gas appliances and installations inspected regularly. The inspections are designed to identify any dangers that could arise and assist in preventing injuries or accidents caused by defective or improperly installed gas appliances. Landlords are also accountable to ensure that their tenants have access to the gas safety certificate for their property.
A landlord trying to sell a property using a gas safety certificate that has expired could be in violation and face massive fines, or even jail time. It is therefore important to keep a gas safety certificate up-to date at all times.
If a landlord is in the process of preparing to sell their property, having a valid gas safety certificate can enhance the chance of a speedy sale by putting prospective buyers at ease about the condition of the appliance and its installation. It can also serve as an argument for selling the property for sale.
Who needs a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to provide an energy safety certificate to any tenant that moves into one of their properties. This document serves as documented evidence that the landlord has arranged for all appliances and flues to be maintained and inspected by an experienced engineer. It's an essential element of ensuring that any gas appliances in the property are safe to use.
If the landlord fails to comply with their obligations and schedules an inspection, they could be at risk of receiving a substantial fine. Landlords can also be held accountable for any injuries or deaths that be caused by not possessing a current certificate.
The CP12 certificate is not required for homeowners, but it's still recommended they have their appliances and piping checked regularly by a certified technician to ensure that everything is in good working in good working order. This is especially important if they are planning to sell their home, as potential buyers are likely to ask to see the gas safety record prior to completing the purchase.
Generally speaking, the header of the CP12 will contain information about the engineer that carried out the inspection. The name of the engineer should be included along with their, registration number, and the date of the inspection. The body of the document will provide the results of the inspection, including whether any appliances or pipework were deemed unsafe or in need of repair. If issues are discovered the engineer will ask permission to shut off any gas supply and recommend any repairs that are required.
Tenants must also be provided with a copy of the CP12 as soon as they can after the inspection has been completed. Existing tenants should receive a copy within 28 days after the inspection. It's also a good idea to provide a copy to new tenants before they move in to ensure they are aware of issues that could impact their security. Landlords are advised to keep a copy their old CP12 certificates of gas safety, so that they can use this to prove that they have been in compliance with the regulations in the past. Mashroom's user-friendly platform allows users to quickly and efficiently organize a gas inspection if you are a homeowner or landlord.
The process of obtaining a Gas Safety Certificate
If you are a landlord and you don't have a gas safety certificate, it is best to obtain one as soon as possible. It is a legal requirement and it assures your tenants are safe in your house. The process is easy and if you select a firm that specializes in this kind of inspection, they can help you every step of the way. Landlords can also face massive fines or even jail time if they don't comply with the law, so it's better to be secure rather than sorry.
It is the responsibility of landlords to schedule an annual gas safety check to be conducted on the appliances they have in their homes. The landlord must also give their tenants a copy prior to they move into their new home. This will give them peace-of-mind that their appliances are safe in their new home and is an opportunity to prove that they have met their obligations.
In a safety audit the engineer will check all gas appliances and pipework in the property to ensure that they are safe. The engineer will check for carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if breathed at a high level. It is created by appliances that don't burn properly. The engineer will also make sure that the flues are clean and that there aren't gas leaks in the premises.
Property owners who are preparing to sell their property might find that potential buyers are likely to request proof that the property has been gas-safety checked. This can be an important selling point for a property and could help speed up the process of selling.
If a landlord doesn't have an current gas safety certificate, they will need to get one before they put the property on the market. This will reassure buyers that the property is secure and could increase the interest. If the seller cannot produce an authentic gas safety certificate, the sale may be canceled completely.
Keeping a Gas Safety Certificate
Millions of commercial and residential buildings make use of gas as a source of energy. Gas is used in a vast majority of commercial and residential properties. In the end, strict regulations are in place to ensure the security of gas systems. Gas Safe registered engineers conduct regular inspections and checks to ensure this. The landlord of the property is responsible for arranging these tests and for keeping documents of the results. These results can be shared with tenants to inform them that the landlord is taking their safety seriously.
Landlords are also reminded that a Gas Safe certification is only valid for 12 months. They should book an appointment to have a fresh test conducted and a new certificate issued before this date. This will help to avoid any penalties or charges for missing appointments. It is also recommended to schedule the inspection with the same engineer each time, since this will help save time and money.
It is crucial that the landlord is prepared prior the inspection. This means cleaning out rooms so that the inspector is able to access all areas of the house without problems. It is also helpful to get rid of any items that ignite or clothing that may be near gas appliances. This will help prevent any accidental ignitions of these items and decrease the chance of a fire.
The gas engineer will perform an extensive inspection of all the gas appliances and installations in the property. The gas engineer will ensure that the appliance works correctly, that all pipework is safe and is able to flow freely through the property. They will also make sure that carbon dioxide, which is a bi-product of gas combustion, is not stored in the home.
The engineer will then issue an Gas Safety Certificate to the landlord. The certificate will provide the findings of the inspection and will state whether or not any gas appliances are considered not in compliance with current Standards or immediately dangerous, or at risk. The landlord should keep an audit log and give it to existing tenants within 28-days. They should also provide an original copy to any new tenants at the start of their lease.