Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
A gas safety certificate and boiler service is a essential element of responsible homeownership and property management. Both require the services of a Gas Safe registered engineer to examine your home's appliances and to ensure they comply with government safety regulations.
Landlords are legally required to organize these checks and services in the properties they lease out. Tenants may request these documents as well to check if their home has been checked.
Legal Requirements
There are no legal requirements for homeowners to possess a gas safety certificate, although it is strongly recommended. The inspection could help make buyers feel at ease that the house is safe and operating well, which can increase the chance of selling. A gas safety check also can help identify any potential problems that need addressed, like leaks or malfunctions and this can save money on energy bills over the long haul.
Landlords are legally required to undergo a gas safety check every year and obtain an annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) before renting out properties. This is to ensure that all gas appliances and installations are safe to use and in compliance with the relevant regulations. Landlords must also keep track of all checks that are carried out.
A valid CP12 must clearly state the address of the property, along with the name and registration number of the engineer who conducted the inspection, and an accurate description of the gas appliances that were inspected. The Gas Safe Register logo must be displayed in the top-right corner. The current state of the appliance (e.g. suitable to use) must also be stated.
Ideally, boilers are housed in rooms that are separate from the rest of the building by non-combustible materials and a minimum of a two-hour fire resistance rating. This is to safeguard against fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Boilers and heaters in garages or auto repair shops should be placed in a separate space.
Gas engineers will notify the landlord if the boiler is unsafe and request permission to shut off the gas supply. If they are concerned about their tenants' safety and health landlords should be prepared to take such action.
In the event of a boiler failure landlords should ensure that their tenants are aware of the expected duration of repairs and any other arrangements. This is not only an obligation under the law, but also helps in establishing good communication and positive landlord-tenant relations.
In addition to protecting tenants regular boiler maintenance can aid in improving the efficiency of boilers and decrease carbon emissions. This is an important factor in cutting down on energy costs and environmental impact. The maintenance and inspection process will also reveal any potential issues that could lead to the failure of a boiler which could significantly impact the safety and expense.
Benefits
If you're a landlord then it is your responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances in your rental properties are safe to use. This can be done by scheduling regular boiler and gas safety inspections. This will ensure the safety of your tenants and make the property appealing to potential buyers should you decide to sell the property in the future.
Landlords are required in the UK to have a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) for all their appliances and installations. This is an obligation that must be met every year to ensure the safety of the appliances for tenants. If you don't possess a CP12, you could face hefty fines or even risk having your appliances removed from the rental property.
Gas safety checks include an in-depth inspection of the appliances installed, their location and operation to determine if they are functioning properly and safely. The engineer will check the external casing, internal components, pipes and flue for signs of damage or leaks. They will also test for gas pressure on the burner and ensure there is sufficient ventilation.
The results of the gas safety inspection will be documented on a gas certificate which will include details of every appliance and installation that was examined, as well as whether it passed or failed the safety test. The engineer will also note the appliance's status as not to Current Standards (NCS), immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR). Appliances that fail the inspection will be identified as in the certificate and must be replaced or repaired in the shortest time possible.
The benefits of a boiler servicing are similar to those of the gas safety inspection and can help you save money by identifying any problems before they become serious. Boiler maintenance can improve the efficiency of the heating system, which can result in lower energy costs and a reduction in carbon emissions. In addition, regular maintenance will help prolong the life of the boiler, and also reduce repair costs in the near future.
Costs
To receive an Gas Safety Certificate, it is essential that landlords make sure all their gas appliances are in good working condition and safe. This can help avoid accidents and injuries caused by equipment that isn't maintained properly. A CP12 is not just required by law, but it also helps to improve the value of homes as potential tenants will be assured that the house is secure.
A CP12 is a formal document that details the results of a thorough examination by a qualified Gas Safe engineer. This will check all the appliances in a home and check for gas leaks, ensuring there is sufficient ventilation, verifying the failsafes are functioning properly and much more. The cost of a CP12 varies depending on the size and number of appliances that are in the house. Costs are higher in large cities and towns.
The cost of boiler service can vary and are dependent on how many appliances need to be checked. However, as a guide the typical boiler service will typically cost between PS60 to PS120 and will include an inspection, cleaning, and minor parts replacement. A lot of Landlord boiler insurance plans provide an annual boiler service as part of the package, which helps to cut down on these costs.
If you are required to replace or repair an appliance, the engineer will test it once the work is done to make sure it's safe to use. Any appliance that is considered to be 'immediately risky must be fixed as soon as is possible to avoid injuries and accidents.
A Gas Safe registered engineer will be capable of providing you with an authentic CP12 for all the gas appliances within your home including the boiler. They can also provide a full boiler repair and service, keeping your heating system in top shape. It is important to know that if the warranty on your boiler isn't valid, it may be due to the fact that it doesn't have an annual service for your boiler. It is therefore essential to locate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe to provide these vital services.
Getting Started
Both homeowners and landlords are often confused by the boiler service and gas safety certificate process. In essence the term "gas safety certificate" is an official document that declares that your appliances are safe to use, and a boiler service is an inspection and maintenance of your heating system.
Contacting a Gas Safe registered technician is a simple way to get both. Ask to see the Gas Safe ID of the engineer before allowing him access to your home. This is an excellent indicator that he is qualified and has certifications.
When the Gas Safe registered engineer has completed their safety check and has passed their safety check, they will issue you with a certificate of gas safety. This will include the details of all the appliances that were inspected and the date on which the inspection was carried out and the Gas Safe register number of the engineer. Landlords must also keep a copy on file in the event that they need to prove their heating system is up to standards when renting or selling their property.
During a boiler maintenance, the engineer will check the flow rate and pressure of gas in your home. This will ensure that the gas supply is always on and that your appliances are working correctly. They will also examine your ventilation and flues to ensure they are functioning correctly. The gas safe engineer can also clean the internal components of your boiler which will increase the efficiency and decrease the chance of having to make costly repairs in the future.
If the engineer finds any issues that may be dangerous They will notify you and ask that you take action to remedy the problem. If the problem is serious they may suggest that you do not use your appliances until they have been repaired.
Both a gas safety certificate and boiler service are essential for keeping your home warm and secure, so it's essential to book both every year. If you're a landlord remember that it's against the law to rent out your property without having a Gas Safety Certificate. To make the process easier, you can book both gas safety certificates and a boiler service with BOXT's Home Protection packages.