Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
Gas safety certificates and boiler services are essential for responsible homeownership and property management. Both require the services of a Gas Safe registered engineer to examine your home's appliances and ensure that they are in compliance with government safety regulations.
Landlords are legally obliged to organize these services and checks in the properties they lease out. Tenants may also seek these documents to determine whether their home is secure.
Legal Requirements
There are no current legal requirements for homeowners to have an official gas safety certificate, although it is strongly recommended. The inspection could put potential buyers at ease, as it will ensure that the property is safe and functioning properly. This may increase the likelihood of the sale. A gas safety inspection can help to identify potential issues like leaks and malfunctions. This could save you money on energy bills over the long-term.
Landlords are legally obliged to undergo a gas safety check every year and obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) prior to renting out properties. Milton Keynes Gas Safety is to ensure that all gas appliances and installations are safe to use and conform with the relevant regulations. Landlords also need to keep a record of all checks carried out.
A valid CP12 must clearly indicate the address of the property, the name and registration number of the person who performed the inspection, and a concise description of all gas appliances inspected. The Gas Safe Register logo must be displayed in the top-right corner and the current status of the appliance (e.g. safe to use) must be clearly stated.
Idealy, boilers are enclosed in rooms that are isolated from the other parts of the building using non-combustible materials and a minimum of a two-hour fire resistance rating. This will protect against explosions and fires as well as carbon monoxide poisoning. Boilers and furnaces that are located close to automotive repair shops or public garages must be located in designated rooms.
Gas engineers will inform the landlord if the boiler is in danger and request permission to shut off the gas supply. Landlords must be willing to take this action if they are concerned for their tenants' health and safety.
In the event of a boiler breakdown landlords should ensure that their tenants are aware of the anticipated duration of repairs and any other arrangements. This is not only a legal requirement but also demonstrates good communication and builds positive landlord-tenant relations.
Regular maintenance of boilers can increase the efficiency of your boiler, as well as reduce carbon emission. This is a crucial element in reducing energy consumption and the environmental impact. The maintenance and inspection will also identify any potential issues which could lead to a failure of the boiler, which could have a major impact on the safety of the boiler and also on the cost.
Benefits
It is your responsibility as a landlord ensure the safety of gas appliances in your rental property. This can be done by scheduling regular gas and boiler safety inspections. This will ensure your tenants' safety and also make your property more attractive to prospective buyers should you decide to sell it in the future.
Landlords in the UK to have a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) for all their appliances and installations. It is an obligation that is legally required and must be renewed annually to ensure that the appliances are safe for tenants to use. If you don't have a CP12 and you are not a CP12, you could face severe fines, or even being evicted from the rental property.
A gas safety check is a thorough inspection of the appliances and their components to determine if they're operating properly and safely. The engineer will examine the internal and casing components of the appliance and also the flue, pipes and the external casing for indications of leaks or damage. They will also test for gas pressure on the burner and ensure that there is sufficient ventilation.
The results of the gas safety inspection will be recorded on a gas certificate which will detail each appliance and the installation that was tested, as well as whether or not it passed the safety test. The engineer will indicate the appliance's status as not to Current Standards (NCS), immediately dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR). Appliances that fail to pass the inspection will be identified as such on the certificate, and will require to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
A boiler service is similar to a gas safety inspection in that it can save you money by identifying any issues before they become more serious. Boiler service can also improve the efficiency of your heating system. This can lead to reduced energy bills and carbon emissions. The annual maintenance will also help to extend the life of the heating system and decrease future repair costs.
Costs
To receive the Gas Safety Certificate, it is crucial that landlords make sure that all their gas appliances are in good working order and safe. This can help avoid injuries and accidents caused by poorly maintained equipment. A CP12 certificate is not just legally required, but can also enhance the value of the property since it gives prospective tenants peace of mind that they are renting a safe home.
A CP12 document is an official document that details the results of an exhaustive Gas Safe inspection. This will inspect all appliances in a home by examining gas tightness, ensuring there is sufficient ventilation, as well as ensuring that failsafes are working properly and more. The cost of a CP12 varies depending on the size and quantity of appliances present in the home. The costs are higher in larger cities and towns.
The cost of boiler maintenance can also vary depending on the amount of appliances to be checked. As a rough guide an average boiler service typically costs between PS60 and PS120. It will include an inspection, cleaning, and minor parts replacement. Many Landlord boiler protection plans provide an annual boiler service as part of the package, helping to reduce these costs.
If you need to repair or replace an appliance, the engineer will test it after the work is complete to make sure it's safe to use. To prevent further accidents or injuries, any appliance that is classified as 'immediately hazardous' should be repaired as quickly as is possible.
A Gas Safe registered engineer will be in a position to issue an authentic CP12 for all gas appliances within your home, including the boiler. In addition, they can conduct a full boiler service and repairs, ensuring your heating system in tip-top shape. It is important to know that if your boiler warranty is not valid, it could be due to the fact that you don't have an annual boiler maintenance. Therefore, it is essential to find an engineer that is Gas Safe-registered to perform these essential services.
Getting Started
Both homeowners and landlords are often confused by the boiler service and gas safety certificate procedure. A gas safety certificate is an official document that confirms your appliances are safe to use. A boiler service is a maintenance and inspection of your heating system.
Contacting an Gas Safe registered technician is an easy way to obtain both. Always request to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID before allowing access to your home it is a good indication that they have the right qualifications and certifications.
The Gas Safe registered engineer will issue you an official certificate of gas safety once they have completed their safety inspection. It will contain the details of all the appliances that have been inspected and the date that the inspection was conducted and the Gas Safe register number of the engineer. Landlords are also required to keep a copy in a the file in case they need to prove their heating system is up to standards when renting or selling their property.
When a boiler is being maintained the engineer will inspect the flow rate and pressure of gas in your home. This will ensure that the gas supply is consistent and that there are no leaks or problems with your appliances. They will also examine your vents and flues to ensure they're functioning properly. Additionally, the gas safe engineer will clean your boiler's internal parts, which can help to improve efficiency and minimise the possibility of costly repairs in the future.
The engineer will inform you if they find any problems that could pose a risk and ask you to take steps. If the issue is of a serious concern, they might recommend that you don't use your appliances until they are repaired.
Booking both a boiler service as well as a gas safety certificate every year is essential for keeping your home safe and warm. If you're a landlord, remember that it's against the law to let out your home without the Gas Safety Certificate. To make the process simpler, you can book both gas safety certificates and a boiler service with BOXT's Home Cover packages.