It is illegal in the UK to rent a property without providing the landlord\'s gas safety certificates to the tenants. So, if you are renting a property, it is better to understand well about gas safety certificates before, to avoid any hassle later.
Gas safety certificates determine whether your gas appliances are compliant with the set government safety standards. Though it is extremely important, a fair number of people fail to understand the crucial aspects of gas safety certificates.
To make things easier for you, let\'s take a detailed look at the importance of gas safety certification for landlords and address some of the most common concerns regarding this certification.
Is It Necessary? If So, How to Get One?
Well, there\'s no doubt that a gas certificate is necessary, and it is illegal to rent any property that does not have a gas safety certificate. A gas safety certificate assures that all the gas fittings and appliances are safe for usage. Thus, ensuring the safety of all the tenants.
To apply for it, the owner of the property has to book a gas safety check online. Once done, a gas safety engineer will visit the property on a scheduled date, conduct necessary gas safety checks, and provide the gas safety certificate.
The certificate costs around £60 for one appliance and the cost may vary depending on the number of gas appliances at a property.
What is the validity period of the gas safety certificate?
The certificate issued to a landlord is valid for up to 1 year from the date of issue, after which the landlord must book the gas safety check again. Annual inspections are essential to locate any faulty parts and required repairs.
As per regulations, the landlord must provide the tenants with a new certificate within 28 days of the expiration, so it is best to book an inspection as soon as possible. The landlord must keep the expired certificates safe for at least two years to be able to present the past compliance records whenever required. It also adds further assurance to the tenants that you are a responsible landlord who maintains all the appliances in good condition.
What Happens During the Safety check?
To make sure that all the appliances and gas fitting are safe for usage, a qualified gas safety engineer will visit your property for inspection.
The engineer will,
Inspect all the gas appliances for fitting tightness and safety regulations.
Check the standing and working gas pressure, and the flue flow.
Check the safety devices installed.
Check whether the property has appropriate ventilation.
Once the engineer confirms that all the appliances are safe for usage, he will then issue a gas safety certificate for you.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
The property must have a carbon monoxide alarm in the room where solid fuel is used for heating purposes. So, if your property has a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you may need a carbon monoxide alarm for safety.
Is the Landlord Responsible for All the Gas Appliances?
The landlord is responsible for all the flues and fittings in the property. If the tenants have brought their gas appliances with them, the landlord is not responsible for their safety. The best practice is to communicate with the tenants and include all the gas appliances in the annual safety check.
What Should a Tenant Do?
As a tenant, you must be following the following measure to ensure the best safety for yourself and your loved ones.
Before choosing a property, you must inquire about the past gas safety inspections done at the property.
Check if the landlord has been regular with the safety checks.
The landlord has to provide all safety certificates within 28 days to the tenant, so if there is a delay you can file a complaint against the landlord and the officials will take action.
Never agree to rent a property if the landlord refuses to provide gas safety certificates.
If you have your gas appliances, tell your landlord to include them in the annual safety inspection.
How to Find Trusted Gas Safety Services?
You can book gas safety inspections through any service provider who offers gas safety certificates in your area. Search online for gas safety certificate services in your area and contact a service provider that offers one. Good service providers offer a wide range of gas installation and appliance services that may be useful to you. So, before hiring a service provider, it is essential to check what other services they provide so that you can contact just one service provider for all your gas installation requirements.
Conclusion
Some of the most common concerns regarding the landlord\'s gas safety certificates are addressed in the above discussion. The gas safety inspection and issuance of the certificate does not require much time or money. But it is still an important piece of document, that allows landlords and tenants to be assured that the property is safe for living.
So, do not ignore the gas safety certificate at any cost. Get regular inspections done, and you can avoid unwanted accidents at your house.