Owning a property has its advantages, but it requires a lot of hard work and dedication to maintain it. Maintaining a house means regular spending on repairs to keep the property in good shape.
One regular expense, especially for landlords, is an annual gas safety certificate. Let us see what the gas safety certificate is and how to get one to ensure your property is safe.
What Is A Gas Safety Certificate?
Incidents of gas leaks or fires have been greatly reduced in the UK due to the implementation of gas safety rules. One primary rule requires homeowners with rental properties to get a gas safety certificate yearly. The certificate is simply a document that states that there are no gas safety concerns.
Getting a gas safety certificate or CP12 is not just mandatory for property owners. Having the safety certificate means that your property is safe from potential gas-related hazards. This includes gas leaks or the outbreak of fire; both of which can be life-threatening.
Do You Need A Gas Safety Certificate?
All homeowners should get a gas safety certificate every year. If you are living on the property yourself, then you are not legally required to get a gas safety check every year.
For landlords, however it is a legal requirement to get gas safety checks done every year. Otherwise, they cannot rent out the property.
How To Get A Gas Safety Certificate
The process of getting gas is straightforward. First, you must set up an appointment with a registered gas safety engineer.
To make sure that the gas safety engineer you hire is a registered gas safety engineer, you can check on the gas safe website. Enter the name of the gas safety engineer in the search box. This is important since only a registered gas safety engineer can issue a valid safety certificate.
Once you book the appointment, you need to make sure that you are present at the assigned time. You will need to let the gas safety engineer into the house and tell them where each gas appliance is located. Additionally, you will need to show them the gas pipelines, connections, and vents.
If the gas safety engineer detects a problem, like a gas leak, they will inform you of the issue. Maybe there is a leak due to improper fitting of an appliance or a damaged gas pipe; in each circumstance, the engineer will identify and relate the issue. This allows homeowners to take corrective measures right away so that the problem does not cause any severe accidents.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gas Safety Check?
Since it is an annual expense for many, it is vital to know how much it costs to get a gas safety check. A gas certificate cost is not fixed. It varies depending on the gas safety engineer you hire and the work that needs to be done.
Every gas safety engineer has his or her service charges. The cost also depends upon the size of the property and the amount of checking that needs to be done.
The cost can range between £35 to upwards of £150. The average, however, is £80. It is a reasonable price for a service you only need once a year. Additionally, spending the money means ensuring safety and preventing life-threatening accidents.
Duties Of Gas Safety Engineer
When you hire a gas safety engineer, you can expect them to conduct a thorough inspection of all gas fittings on your property. The process will include the following:
- The engineer checks for any gas leaks
- Make sure there is no wear and tear on the gas pipes
- Detecting potential carbon monoxide leak
- Complete the gas safety record form
The gas safety record will detail all appliances and fittings checked. It will include the findings of the checks and provide the address and name of the property owner and the gas safety engineer who conducted the inspection. This is an essential document for landlords since they have to present a copy of it to the tenants.
Additional Precautions
Aside from getting a gas safety certificate, other gas safety measures must be implemented. A gas safety check is at most conducted 10 to 12 months apart; you need safety from gas-related incidents at all times.
Additional safety measures include installing carbon monoxide detectors around the house. Like smoke detectors, these sense the presence of carbon monoxide and raise an alarm. Timely detection of a leak can save lives since gas is notoriously tricky to spot as it is invisible.
It is also recommended to have many large windows throughout the house. Opening up windows allow fresh air to get in and keeps the house well-ventilated. In case is a gas leak, one of the first things you should do is open all windows to get rid of the access gas.
Make sure the gas is turned off when you are done cooking. Keeping your gas appliances maintained and clean is also helpful. Over time, due to wear and tear, appliances and their fittings can become dilapidated.
Keep vents and chimneys clean because, over time, these may become clogged. This may make them less efficient at keeping the airflow going.
The Importance Of Gas Safety
It is hard to underestimate the importance of gas safety. It does not matter whether you are a homeowner or a commercial property owner. Everyone needs to ensure that gas safety measures are in place. A gas safety certificate is a basic form of ensuring gas safety on a property.
It involves a detailed check of all gas connections and appliances. It is a necessary for landlords to get a gas safety certificate every year. However, getting the inspection done regularly each year is recommended for every property owner.
Taking maximum measures against gas safety is the best way to ensure you and your loved ones are safe and secure. Accidents from gas-related incidents may be rare but can prove exceptionally dangerous.
