A Landlord's Guide: How to Get a Gas Safety Certificate in 7 Simple Steps

Several responsibilities come along with becoming a landlord. You not only need to take care of the property you own but also take care of those living on your property. One of the most crucial aspects of this responsibility is gas safety.

In the UK, the law requires every landlord to conduct gas safety inspections on every rental property. Moreover, the landlord must also possess a valid gas safety certificate or a CP12 certificate for their property. In this guide, we will take you through 7 steps of getting a gas safety certificate that helps you to fulfil all the basic requirements of keeping your tenants safe. 

Step 1: Understand Your Legal Obligations

Before learning about the basics of a gas safety certificate, you need to understand your legal responsibilities as a landlord. According to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulation 1998, you are required to ensure that all the gas appliances are in a safe condition. For this purpose, you must follow the following steps:

• Ensure that gas safety checks are done on an annual basis for every appliance and flue.

• Keeping a record of all the safety checks for at least two consecutive years.

• You must also provide the tenants with a copy of the most recent gas safety check before they move in. If the tenants are already residing on the property, you need to provide them with the certificate within 28 days of the check.

If you do not comply with these regulations, the authorities can impose hefty fines or even imprison you. 

Step 2: Look for a Gas Safe Registered Engineer

This is the step where you actually start preparing for a gas safety inspection. For a gas safety certification of a landlord, you must look for a gas-safe registered engineer. Gas Safe Register is the official authority of the UK that ensures gas safety.  It is absolutely crucial to verify that the engineer you hire is gas-safe registered.

The easiest way to verify the license of any gas-safe registered engineer is to ask for their gas-safe ID. Then, you can visit the gas safe register website and look up their credentials on the website.

Another thing to ensure is that the engineer you hire has experience with the types of appliances you have in your home. Some engineers have experience with certain types of gas appliances, such as heaters or boilers. Therefore, finding an engineer with the right expertise matters most.

Step 3: Schedule the Gas Safety Check

Once you have found the perfect gas-safe registered engineer, you must then schedule an appointment with them to carry out the gas safety check. Make sure that the date and time you select is convenient for both you and your tenants.

In ideal conditions, the safety check is done annually to ensure that all the appliances in the household are in perfect condition. Set a reminder in your calendar so that you do not forget to set up an appointment for your next safety check.

Step 4: Preparing for the Inspection

Preparation of inspection begins with making sure that all of the gas appliances are easily accessible to the engineer. Appliances such as boilers, hobs, and gas fires must be free from obstruction. You must inform your tenants in advance about the inspection so they can clear the house. 

It is also good etiquette to inform your tenants about the inspection so that they may vacate the home, especially when the gas appliances are located in rooms that they occupy. It is also a good idea to encourage the tenants to report any issues if they notice any. 

Step 5: Knowing What the Gas Safety Check Involves

During the gas safety check, the gas registered engineer will check the following:

• Condition of the gas appliances, flues, and pipes and ensure they are working properly and safely.

• Ensuring that the gas appliances have proper ventilation for combustion.

• Ensuring that there is no blockage or damage to chimneys and flues.

• Ensuring that there are no leaks in the pipework.

• Ensuring that the gas appliances are working as they intend to. 

These checks ensure that there are no potential gas leaks or other safety risks to your tenants. 

Step 6: Getting Your Gas Safety Certificate

After the successful completion of the inspection, the gas-safe registered engineer will provide you with a gas safety certificate (CP12 certificate). The certificate is a confirmation that all the gas appliances on the property are safe to use. Any CP12 certificate will always contain the following information:

• Results of the safety checks.

• Details about any faults found during the inspection.

• Details of any repairs that are needed.

• List of all the gas appliances that have been checked.

• Signature and number of the gas-safe registered engineer.

If any faults or issues were found during the inspection, the gas-safe engineer would inform the landlord about the repairs. Once all the repairs are done satisfactorily, the engineer will issue the certificate. 

Step 7: Distribution and Maintenance of Record

After receiving the most recent gas safety certificate, you must ensure that it is protected and organized. According to law, you must provide a copy of the certificate to the tenants. New tenants must get a copy from their landlords before they move in, and old tenants must receive a copy within 28 days of a successful inspection.

Additionally, as a landlord, you are responsible for keeping a copy of the certificate in your record for at least two years. Ensure that these certificates are placed in a safe and secure place. You can also scan the certificates to keep a digital copy for easy access. 

Conclusion

Getting a gas safety certificate is an important responsibility for a landlord in the UK. Follow these seven steps to ensure that you meet all the legal requirements for obtaining a gas safety certificate. Planning ahead and maintaining regular gas safety checks helps you stay compliant and avoid any unforeseen situations. 

Taking care of gas safety is not just a legal obligation; it is also about protecting the lives of the tenants who live in your home. Therefore, if you have not already planned a gas safety inspection, you must be proactive and take the necessary steps.