Is a Gas Safety Certificate Required for Airbnb Hosts?

Gas safety rules and regulations are formulated to protect people and properties against the potential threats associated with using gas. Though gas usage is considered relatively safer than conventional fuels like coal and oil, it cannot be rated as a zero-risk energy source. 

Traditionally, homes in the UK have been using coal and oil to heat the rooms and get hot water. Later, gas gradually replaced these energy sources, as they were riskier than gas. Moreover, gas is far more environmentally friendly than coal and oil. Another factor that made gas so famous was its being economical. On the other hand, gas poses grave threats, such as fire or explosions, in the event of gas leaks. It is a prevalent concept among gas experts that it is safe unless it remains confined within the pipework.

That is ideal, but gas may leak anytime from any gas appliance or associated pipework; hence, the risk is always there. Another more severe issue with gas usage emerged from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. CO poisoning can severely impact the health of humans and may even lead to death. That was the main reason behind the formulation of gas safety regulations, which apply to all rented-out properties, including Airbnb hosts.

Gas Safety Regulations - An Insight 

The gas safety regulations in the UK apply to all domestic and commercial or industrial properties that use gas for any purpose, including cooking, heating, and hot water supply. The Airbnb Hosts also come under the ambit of the prevalent gas safety regulations.

The "Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998" is the fundamental law regulating gas usage in all types of rented properties, including Airbnb Hosts. As is common with other rules and regulations, the gas safety regulations of 1998 had also undergone different amendments, as required from time to time. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendments) Regulations 2018 is the most relevant amendment, making these regulations more user-friendly.

Here are the critical aspects of the Gas Safety Regulations:

• This law covers all rented properties, including domestic, commercial, and industrial properties.
• The Landlords of these properties are responsible for ensuring the safety of the occupants of their rented-out properties. For this purpose, they must arrange annual gas safety inspections on all the gas-use properties.
• The landlords are legally bound to arrange a gas safety inspection of the entire property, all gas appliances, and allied fittings and fixtures. It includes boilers and flues and the whole gas pipework within the property.
• Only an engineer with the gas safe register can conduct annual gas safety inspections.
• Only a registered gas safety engineer is authorized to issue the gas safety certificate after completing the annual inspection.
• The Gas Safe Register is the sole official organization specifically responsible for registering qualified gas safety engineers with the expertise to work on gas installations and appliances. The gas safe register issues a license to these engineers. This license is valid for one year and needs to be renewed annually.
• After completing the annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances, the gas safe registered engineer will prepare a landlord gas safety certificate, commonly known as CP12 or gas safety check records. This certificate will be valid for 12 months and will need renewal before the expiration of the current one. This has to be done in the last two months before the expiry date of the current certificate. The amendment of 2018 provides flexibility in the renewal process without affecting the next date of expiry of the CP12.
• Landlords can only rent their properties with a valid landlord gas safety certificate. Any violation of this legal requirement will have serious legal consequences. The same applies to the Airbnb properties.
• In case of one or more faulty gas appliances found in the Holiday Home, the engineer marks them as Unfit for Use. Under the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 provisions, any gas appliance marked "Unfit for Use" cannot be used unless it is repaired or replaced.
• There are three categories of appliances marked as unfit for use. These are:
• Immediately Dangerous (ID) – The appliances marked as “ID” are unsafe. These appliances might need to be replaced, if the fault is serious or otherwise, it can be used after proper repair. 
• At Risk (AR) – Any appliance labeled "AR" is also unsafe for use but the level of risk might be less than the ones categorized as "ID". Such appliances can be used after repair and maintenance. However, it is recommended not to use such appliances unless the fault is removed.
• Not to Current Standards (NCS) – the appliances labeled "NCS" are considered fit for use but it is a sort of warning that they may be somewhat risky as they do not meet the current safety standards. Such appliances should be replaced with new ones as early as possible to avoid mishaps.

Since the law applies equally to all rented properties, Airbnb hosts must also adhere to the prevalent rules and regulations.

The Airbnb Hosts 

Airbnb stands for "Airbed and Breakfast," which was the basic concept behind initiating this business. Airbnb is an online application that facilitates people who want to rent accommodation and those who want to rent out their places, rooms, and properties. The Airbnb was established in 2007. It started with offering air mattresses to the people by the founders of this company as paying guests. With time, it has expanded manifold. Now, around seven million places are listed on their website, covering more than 100,000 cities worldwide.

Traditionally, a traveler would book a room in a hotel or motel before reaching his destination city. Although this is still a routine practice with many travelers, the concept of Airbed and Breakfast (Airbnb) has gained popularity due to various factors. These are relatively cheaper as compared to the hotel rooms. Moreover, the travelers get a peaceful and calm environment with a feeling of being at home. 

• The Guests at Airbnb

For guests, intending to get an accommodation, a room, or a complete home, the official website of Airbnb offers listings in different categories. The guests can click on their desired category and location of their choice and they will get complete information about that particular property. 

The booking process is simple. The guest has to create an account, select the property, book a reservation, and pay the rent.

• The Hosts at Airbnb

Any individual company or organization can become a host at Airbnb. Once you are listed as a host on the website of Airbnb, you can offer any available space, either a room or a complete home for rent. The hosts are at liberty to set the price of their space. They can also set the facilities that they would provide to the guests. The hosts must also create their accounts before they can start offering their space for rent.

Is a Gas Safety Certificate Required for Airbnb Hosts?

The simple answer to this question is "Yes." Let's see how:

An Airbnb Host can be termed a landlord if it works individually. If the Airbnb Host is a company, it can be grouped under the category of hotels. In either case, the rules and regulations applicable to the landlords and hotels will also apply to the Airbnb Hosts. That includes all the provisions of the "Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998" along with its subsequent amendment, "Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2018.”

Hence, the annual gas safety inspection condition also applies to Airbnb Hosts if their properties have installed one or more gas appliances. The annual gas safety inspection process is the same as in the case of any other rented property, either for domestic or commercial purposes. After completing the annual gas safety inspection, the landlord will get a gas safety certificate, commonly called CP12. Like any other gas safety certificate, the one issued for the Airbnb Host is also valid for 12 months and must be renewed before its expiry, preferably during the last two months before the expiry of the current certificate.

Conclusion

The concept of sharing and renting out spare accommodation in a spare bed, a room, or a complete home has gained popularity during the last decade. It is gradually getting the attention of travelers worldwide, as it is more affordable for them than hotels. Moreover, the guests feel like they are at home.

Like any other rented out property, the gas safety regulations apply equally to Airbnb Hosts. Therefore, the landlords (hosts) must ensure their guests' safety against potential gas risks if they have any gas appliances installed on their property. The Airbnb Hosts must arrange annual gas safety inspections to get a valid gas safety certificate (CP12). Offering a property for rent without having a valid gas safety certificate is illegal and may attract legal proceedings and penalties. The same condition is also applicable to Airbnb Hosts.

Hence, Airbnb Hosts must obtain a valid gas safety certificate before offering their spare beds or rooms for rent.