At the London Inventory Company, we know that only a qualified gas engineer can issue a gas safety certificate after having checked and tested all the gas appliances in your home to make sure that they are completely safe and in great condition and at affordable rates. Everyone needs to get their gas appliances checked annually to ensure safety. 

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, a gas safety certificate is something that you require. If you are interested in learning more about a gas safety certificate and its cost in the UK, you have come to the right place. 

This guide aims to provide you with the must-know info you need. 

Who Requires A Gas Safety Certificate?

• Landlord & Homeowners: It is the responsibility of a landlord to provide a safe property to tenants and ensure that it remains safe. The law requires landlords to hire a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a gas safety check every year. They also have to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants.
• Tenant: Tenants must ask their landlords to provide them with a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of the check, either online or on paper. If your landlord has not provided it to you, you should ask him or her to do so. 

What Does A Gas Safety Check Involve?

A gas safety check involves the checking of all gas appliances, including the oven, boiler, hob, chimneys, and flues. Each appliance will be inspected by the engineer to ensure the following:

• It has the right setting in order for the gas to burn correctly.
• It is suitable for the space.
• It has a safe, secure, and stable connection with the gas pipeline. 

In addition to the above, the gas safety engineer will also make sure that there is sufficient ventilation and no harmful gas is released into the air. 

What Does A Gas Safety Certificate Show?

A gas safety certificate will mention the following things.

• The results of the gas safety check. 
• The date of the check.
• The appliances that were tested and their locations.
• The address of the letting agent or the landlord.
• The address of where the check was conducted.
• The name of the gas safety engineer who performed the gas safety check.
• The action that needs to be taken to make the appliances safe.
• Any potential safety issues.

How Can I Get A Gas Safety Certificate?

To get a gas safety certificate, you need to request a gas safety engineer. It is important that you hire a Gas Safe registered engineer. 

Otherwise, the certificate you obtain would be illegal. Therefore, it is best that you check the Gas Safe Register to find the right engineer for the job. 

How Long Does A Gas Safety Certificate Last?

A gas safety certificate must be kept for 2 years. However, even if it is out of date, it is a good idea to keep it with you just in case. Generally, landlords must obtain a new gas safety certificate every year. There are some gas companies that even keep all their records online. Hence, you should have no trouble accessing your records.

How Much Does A Gas Safety Check Cost?

Gas safety check cost depends on where you live, the company you hire, and the number of appliances that have to be checked, comments property vendee Paul Gibbens. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from £35 and £150 for the job. It is crucial that you shop around to find the most affordable gas safety engineer. 

Choose a service provider only after you have received a minimum of three quotes. It will allow you to compare prices and pay the most competitive price. However, you must first inquire about everything that is included in the cost so that you do not end up paying for other tasks. 

The truth is that firms that advertise the lowest prices might not always be the most affordable option after you factor in hidden costs. When you calculate the cost of the gas safety certificate, you must consider the tradesmen’s prices. Keep in mind that you would be charged more if you asked the engineer to perform any replacement or repairs. 

How Long Does It Take For A Gas Safety Inspection To Be Completed?

The amount of time it takes for the gas safety inspection to be completed depends on a number of factors. For example, it could take just 20 minutes to complete in case there are only a few appliances. However, the inspection could easily take an hour in case of a large property that has over 10 appliances. 

Do Landlords Have To Provide Any Other Certificates?

In addition to a gas safety certificate that landlords must provide tenants every year, they also have to provide an electrical safety certificate. Rules requiring landlords to provide an electrical safety certificate to their tenants came into force in June 2020, which requires private rented accommodation to be checked every 5 years. Besides this, an energy performance certificate must also be provided. 

Moreover, a gas fire service is recommended as it ensures that every part of the appliance is checked. It allows a faulty gas fire to be avoided altogether. Thus, the service is worth the cost as it helps save you money on expensive replacements or repairs. 

Takeaway

Once you have finished reading our post, not only will you know the cost of a gas safety certificate in the UK, but also everything that it entails. If you are a landlord, you must make sure that you regularly conduct a gas safety inspection and provide the certificate to your tenant. Similarly, if you are a tenant, you must ask your landlord to provide the certificate to you.