Gas leakage is one of the most common causes of death in America. Although there are many ways to protect it, getting a gas safety certificate is mandatory.
Whether renting a commercial or domestic property, this certificate is a legal requirement for landlords. If you have no idea what a gas safety certificate is, how to obtain it, and what is its validity, read to find out:
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A certified engineer gives this certificate after a detailed inspection of the house. The gas safety check confirms that the gas appliances and fittings in the house are safe to use.
A Gas Safe registered engineer checks every gas appliance during the inspection, including cookers, boilers, and fires. Furthermore, they check whether the gas is burning correctly and the house has ventilation.
The certificate also ensures that chimneys aren’t clogged, and gas pipelines do not have any leakage. After the inspection and repairs, a qualified engineer gives a document to the house owner, which is called the gas safety certificate.
Who is a Gas Safety Engineer?
A gas engineer is a trained individual who knows how to check residential gas appliances, detect leakages, and check for ventilation. Always check the engineer’s license/registration card to verify that the person is qualified to carry out the inspection. An incompetent person can cause damage to the appliances and increase the risk of gas leakage.
Validity and Cost of a Gas Certificate
You need to get a new gas certificate every year. Cost varies as per your location and the number of gas appliances you have. On average, the cost of a gas safety certificate in London is between £35 and £90. The cost may vary in other cities.
Also, consider appliance repair costs in your budget. This cost depends on the severity of the repair; a Gas Safe registered engineer can mark your appliances: ID (Immediate danger) or AR (A Risk). Immediate Danger appliances are usually of high severity and must be fixed instantly. Therefore, they could cost more than appliances labelled AR.
So, the overall cost of the certificate depends on the inspection charges, servicing charges, replacement charges, and the fee of the gas engineer. Since the replacements and servicing needs differ from one home to another, the total certificate cost varies.
The Total Time of Gas Inspection
The time spent for gas inspection may take just 20 minutes. But it depends on the size of your property and the number of appliances you have. Likewise, the service of the boiler usually takes around 30 minutes. But larger boilers may take more time.
Should we get a Gas Certificate from the Landlord?
Yes, getting a certificate is mandatory from the landlord for house safety. Every landlord needs this certification as per the law. However, the certificate needs renewal after every 12 months. In case the landlord does not provide this certificate or provides an expired one, tenants can report it to the respective authorities.
At the start of the tenancy agreement, get this certificate from the landlord. After a year, your landlord will require access to the property for a gas inspection. But you will get a notice at least a day before the inspection.
A landlord must share the details of the engineer coming to the house. If a landlord doesn’t get permission to access the house, he won’t be able to get the certificate. A landlord can end the contract after giving prior notice to avoid this situation.
Is Landlord Responsible for the Tenants Appliances too?
No, a landlord is not legally responsible for paying the inspection cost of the tenant’s gas appliances. As per the agreement and law, the house owner will pay only for the appliances of the house.
If the tenant is bringing some extra appliances, they will pay separately. But, as a favour, some landlords may pay for the entire inspection.
Moreover, landlords need to install a carbon monoxide alarm in every room. When fuel doesn’t burn properly, carbon monoxide is released. Since it is an odourless gas, detection is difficult.
This gas is harmful and may even cause death. Therefore, an alarm is mandatory to know if there is any leakage. This gas is harmful and may even cause death. Therefore, an alarm is mandatory to know if there is any leakage.
Is there any Penalty for not giving the Certificate to Tenants?
Yes, landlords will face a penalty if they do not provide a copy of the certificate. The penalty may differ from case to case. In some instances, a landlord is sentenced to 6 months in prison, whereas a fine of £6,000 may be levied on him in other cases.
What Is Included in the Gas Safety Record?
A landlord must maintain a gas safety record and give it to the tenant. This record contains all the details regarding the gas safety check. Thus, tenants can move with peace of mind. Here are the basic things that should be present in the documents:
- Details about each gas appliance and where they are installed
- Date of the inspection
- Details about the gas engineer
- Results of the inspection
- Repairing and damage details
If landlords keep this record and get a safety certificate every year, creating goodwill among the tenants is possible. Besides this, a yearly checkup of the appliances increases their life.
When the engineer detects issues early, repair becomes possible, and chances of buying new appliances are minimal. In this way, the cost of maintenance is also low.
Wrapping It Up
All in all, a gas safety certificate is essential to give your property on rent. It is a legal requirement that ensures the safety of the tenants. If a landlord is unable to get the certificate, fines and punishment are levied.
Landlords can get this certificate after a detailed inspection from a registered gas engineer. A qualified gas professional checks all the appliances and performs a repair if needed, and then provides a gas certificate.
So, always get a gas safety certificate on time. Besides fulfilling the legal requirement, you can ensure the safety of your tenants and property.
This article was written by Myrah Abrar. Myrah is a computer science graduate with a passion for web development and digital marketing, with particular enjoyment in writing blogs.
Millie is a perfectionist with a passion for property and writing articles. You’ll find her researching the latest housing trends and the newest up and coming areas worth investing in. Read more about Millie here.
Be the first to comment