A Gas Safe Certificate, Gas Safety Certificate, or Gas Safety Record are all names for an official document provided by a registered engineer after conducting a gas safety check on a residential or commercial property.
It is an essential legal document that contains details about the gas inspection and information about the assigned engineer, the landlord, and the property. In the United Kingdom, landlords renting their properties to tenants must renew their gas safety certificate yearly.
Some people let their homes while others lease their shops or commercial plazas. Do they both need to get the same gas certificate? No!
There are three main types of Gas Safe Certificates; these are:
Don't be confused by the names! The only difference is that each certificate is given according to the type of property being inspected. Suppose you are a landlord letting a residential building, for example, a house, studio, condo, lake house, flat, or any other facility where people have set up a home. In that case, you need to get a domestic or residential certificate.
On the other hand, if you are a landlord letting a commercial building, such as a shop, mall, warehouse, storage facility, etc., you will need to obtain a commercial certificate. Finally, if your property is under construction, you will need a new build gas certificate
Here are the reasons why you need a gas certificate:
A Gas Safe Certificate is vital for landlords to ensure the safety of their tenants and their property. Gas is one of the most significant sources of accidents worldwide, so a professional must inspect all the gas appliances installed within a property annually.
In the UK, a landlord is legally responsible for the gas safety of the property they are letting. Although tenants are expected to cooperate in the gas safety process, the responsibility cannot be transferred to them under any circumstances.
Not having a Gas Safety Record can result in legal repercussions. According to the Gas Safety Regulations 1998, all landlords in the United Kingdom must get a gas safety check every year and obtain a valid gas certificate. Otherwise, they will face heavy fines and even jail time.
Landlords who don't get Gas Safety Certificates are penalized. They can be fined as much as £5000. Furthermore, if a gas-related incident occurs on the property, the landlord might face imprisonment of up to 6 months.
Moreover, if landowners are renting out their property, they must provide a copy of the certificate to their tenants within 28 days of moving into the property. Even while selling a house, owners must have legitimate certification to prove the Safety of their gas appliances.
If a landlord refuses to provide a copy of the certificate after one has been requested, the tenants can file a complaint or report the landlord to the Health and Safety Execute(HSE). This gives the HSE permission to prosecute the landlord
Obtaining a Gas Safety Record is not very difficult. Here is what you need to do:
Gas Safe Engineers are specifically trained to perform Gas Safety Checks, so only registered individuals are eligible to perform this check. Landlords should always take a look at the engineer's Gas Safe ID Card before the inspection begins because this allows them to reconfirm the identity and the legitimacy of the engineer.
The ID includes not only personal information but also a hologram that proves that the engineer has been registered.
These are valid for up to 12 months, and it is preferable that an appointment is scheduled before the certificates expire.
The Gas Certificate cost is usually around £34 – £150, but the final price depends on various factors, including the number of properties, their type, and location. Furthermore, the number of appliances will also have an effect.
Lastly, each gas certificate provider may have its own price policies; some may provide bundle pricing, while others offer discounts for multiple properties. Moreover, some may charge extra if you need a gas certificate within 24 hours. Therefore, conduct thorough research on the certificate providers in your area and choose a service that caters to your specifications.
Having a Gas Safe Certificate is a legal requirement, and all landlords should comply with this for their betterment and that of their tenants. Getting a certificate is straightforward; if you choose a good company , they even assist you throughout the process.
Now that you know everything about gas certificates, don't delay it! Get one today to keep your property and tenants safe, avoid fines and jail time, and renew your rental agreements.
Fill the required information to order a gas safety certificate instantly.
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