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What Is A Gas Safety Certificate and Who Needs One |
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 A gas safety certificate is a record showing that gas appliances in a given property are safe. All landlords in the UK have been required to maintain gas safety certificates since the 1998 Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations were issued.
According to the UK Health and Safety Executive, a landlord is any land owner who rents or leases property for a term less than seven years, or under a licence. This property may include rented residences, let by the day places such as hotels, and residential vacation spots, such as chalices.
A landlord must renew gas safety certificates annually (every twelve months), and provide a copy to tenants. He or she is also required to keep a copy of each inspection report for at least two years, and to provide a copy to each new tenant that occupies the residence within twelve months of the last inspection. When the landlord has a new inspection performed, the tenant must receive a copy of the report within 28 days.
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These records must be completed by engineers registered with the Gas Safety scheme, which standardizes gas safety among appliances. Different engineers may have different qualifications, which landlords can find on the back of their Gas Safety scheme registration card.
Gas safety certificates are required to show that each landlord maintains gas safety regulations as outlined by the HSE. One of these regulations is that any room converted to a bedroom after October 1998 should not contain a gas fire, gas water heater, or gas space heater, unless it has an atmosphere-sensing device or is room sealed. For more information on regulation and maintenance, the HSE provides brochures and more detailed books.
Even if a tenant brings in a gas appliance, the landlord is responsible for certifying that the associated pipework is safe for gas use. Outside appliances should be checked by a Gas Safety scheme engineer before they are used in the rented property.
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The gas safety certificate cost will vary among engineers but there are many good companies that can provide landlord gas safety certificates in Enfield & Barnet. It is advisable for landlords to obtain several quotes before choosing an engineer to certify gas appliances. In addition to maintaining gas safety checks, landlords are responsible for calling Gas Safety scheme engineers to repair any damaged gas appliances. They are also responsible for these costs.
Depending on the landlord/agent agreement, an agent who participates in property lessing may be responsible for gas safety regulations and checks. It is important to make sure that in the landlord/agent agreement, it is clearly stated which party is responsible for gas safety certificates and maintenance.
Landlords may keep the gas safety records electronically, as long as the record is readily accessible and secure from loss. It must also be readily identifiable with the gas operative who performed the certification. Identification may include a scanned signature, an electronic signature, or simply the name of the operative. The tenant may also choose to keep his or her copy electronically, as long as he or she is able to access it.
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