If any gas appliance or system is not properly built and maintained, there is a risk of fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide poisoning, and any of these three events has the potential to be fatal.
As a result, as a landlord, you are legally expected to guarantee that all gas appliances in the rental property you own are secure and do not endanger your renters.
What does the law say about ensuring the safety of gas appliances?
Landlords are required under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998 to maintain the safety of gas appliances, pipelines, and flues in their buildings. A gas safety inspection must be completed annually, and a gas safety certificate must be issued to verify that the relevant criteria have been met.
The annual check must be completed no more than a year after the most recent one, and the certificate can be renewed up to two months before it expires. So, if your current certificate is slated to expire on July 31, 2022, you might book your check for the beginning of June, and the expiration date for that certificate would be July 31, 2023 — you wouldn’t ‘lose’ any of the 12-month validity term of your existing certificate.
Who has the authority to sign the checks?
The gas engineer you engage must be listed on the Gas Safe Register. It is illegal for anybody who is not registered to do maintenance or repairs on a gas appliance used in the house.
Every licensed engineer must carry a Gas Safe ID card, which describes the area of work they are authorized to conduct and certifies that their credentials are up to date. However, be aware that some gas engineers will provide counterfeit identification; as a result, you should always do an independent verification using the website https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk.
What exactly is a gas safety inspection?
The Gas Safe engineer will inspect all of the gas-powered appliances and systems in the home, including the stove and range hood, as well as the boiler and water heater. The inspection includes the following components: a visual inspection of gas appliances, the gas heating system, and the boiler flue system; a tightness test at the gas meter to ensure that there are no leaks; a check of the ventilation and air supply; a check of the gas rate and burner pressure; a check to ensure that safety devices are operational; a check of the pressure vessel contained within the boiler; and a check to ensure that the safety devices are fun
Please keep in mind that a gas safety check is not the same as a gas or boiler service, and it does not cover appliance maintenance.
Any and all necessary repairs must be made as soon as humanly possible. If the engineer has cause to suspect that your tenants are in imminent danger, he or she will seek your permission before shutting off the gas supply.
What types of documents might I anticipate to receive?
The engineer will provide you with a Gas Safety Certificate that includes information on each item as well as data on any problems and the procedures to take in response to them.
What exactly am I expected to do with the gas safety certificate?
You or your agent should keep the original certificate for at least two years, preferably until the conclusion of the tenancy, even if it is not necessary. Current renters must obtain a copy of the current certificate within 28 days of the check, while new tenants must receive a copy of the certificate before moving in.
If you hire us to manage your rental property, you can be confident that we will handle all of the details, including the annual gas check and any necessary repairs. However, if you have any questions or if you currently self-manage and would want to explore our Fully Managed service.