Gas safety check or service involves a registered gas engineer to visit the property and check all gas appliances are safe and work properly.
If you are a landlord
An annual gas safety check is required by law when you rent a property. Therefore as a landlord you are legally responsible for the safety of your tenants in relation to gas safety. The law states that you must:
- Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances in safe condition
- Ensure an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue
- Keep a record of each safety check
But it is important to keep your tenants informed about their responsibilities while they are staying in your property. For example, if a cooker belongs to the tenant, the responsibility of checking the gas appliance goes to the tenant and not to the landlord.
If you are a homeowner
There is no obligation for home owners to have a gas safety check, but it is strongly advised to have one in order to feel safe in their own home. Furthermore a regular gas safety check becomes good practice for ensuring all gas appliances are safe and working correctly.
It is strongly recommended to have such appliances checked and serviced every year only by a Gas safe registered engineer. Most importantly the engineer must provide the necessary documents for the gas service or any other gas work carried out.
Whether you are a landlord looking for a gas safety or a homeowner looking for a gas service you are in the right place
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
In simple words, a Gas Safety certificate is a report required by law to be held for all rented properties in the UK where there are gas appliances present.
The requirement is outlined in the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2451/contents/made
Who can issue the certificate?
Explanation of gas safety check or service?
A gas safety check or service includes a thorough cleaning of the appliance as well as the gas safety checks.
The safety checks aim to:
- make sure the flue or chimney removes the products of combustion (fumes) safely outside.
- ensure the existence of an adequate supply of fresh air so the gas burns properly.
- inspect if the appliance is burning the gas properly.
- examine all safety devices work properly and shut an appliance off if a fault occurs.
- check for stability of appliances and safety brackets where appropriate.
- investigate any evidence of unsafe operation and report to a responsible person.
- carry out gas tightness test on full system.
- complete a CP12 and issue copies to landlord and tenants.
Signs of a gas leak
The most obvious sign of a leak is the smell of gas and you could experience symptoms like:
- Feeling lightheaded
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headaches
In case you experience such symptoms and suspect a gas leak, you should go outside immediately.
Feeling better in fresh air could suggest you are suffering from of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Important advice if you smell gas
Strongly advise to:
- let fresh air in by opening all the doors and windows
- turn the gas supply off from the mains, if it’s safe and you know how
- leave the property and from a safe distance call National Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999 24/7.
Strongly against to:
- use anything electrical or anything that can cause a spark
- strike matches
- smoke
The spark can cause gas to catch fire. Gas leak can cause fire or explosion if the gas has built up to an extremely dangerous level.