2-minute read
As a landlord you’re legally required, under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to make sure the gas appliances, fittings and chimneys or flues in your rental property are safe for your tenants.
Find out all you need to know about getting a gas safety certificate – we’ve even included a handy checklist to make the process as quick and easy as possible.
If you rent out a property, you’re legally obliged to have a gas safety check carried out by a suitably qualified and registered engineer.
The engineer will record the details of the check on a Landlord Gas Safety Record form (also known as a CP12 Certificate in the trade) with copies for you and your tenants.
Even if your tenants don’t use gas, if there’s a live supply to your property, it’ll need to be checked.
You’ll need to have the gas installations in your rental property checked every year. This should be some time in the 10th to 12th month following the previous year’s check.
If you have the check completed earlier or later than this 10 to 12-month window, your next check should still be carried out 12 months from the current one.
Your gas engineer will give you a copy of your Gas Safety Record form, which will include the results of tests they’ve carried out on the gas appliances in your property.
You’ll also need to give your tenants a copy. For new tenants, they’ll need to receive it before they move in, whereas existing tenants need to receive a copy within 28 days of the check being carried out.
You can get a gas safety certificate – or Gas Safety Record form – by booking an appointment with a Gas Safe registered engineer.
They’ll do a visual check on all your gas appliances, and pipework that’s accessible, to make sure they’re in good condition, and a test on the pipework to make sure there are no gas leaks.
Gas Safe Register lists all the gas businesses that are legally allowed to carry out gas work. Every firm on this official list employs a gas engineer who has a Gas Safe ID card.
You should always check a gas engineer’s ID card before allowing them to do any work at your property because some aren’t qualified to do all types of gas work.
Gas Safe Register provides a way for you to find a local Gas Safe registered engineer, or check to see if someone’s registered and qualified.
The minimum information required on the form is:
The law requires you to make sure the pipework in your rental property is kept in safe working order too. So you’ll often see a section on these forms where the engineer can record the results of tests that show whether or not your pipework is safe.
It’s worth noting that while tenants are responsible for their own gas appliances, you’re still responsible for the pipework they’re connected to.
There's no fixed price for a gas safety certificate as the cost depends on the Gas Safe engineer you choose. Certificate costs aren't regulated by Gas Safe Register, so it's best to get a selection of quotes to compare.
Prices can start at £35 and go up to more than £150, depending on how many gas appliances there are to check.
As a landlord, it's also your responsibilty to make sure you property meets electrical safety standards and smoke and carbon monxide alarm regulations.
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Lauren Hellicar
We create this content for general information purposes and it should not be taken as advice. Always take professional advice. Read our full disclaimer
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