If you have gas appliances or gas heating in your Scottish home, you may have heard that you need a Gas Safety Certificate. Gas Safety Certificates (also known as Gas Safety Records) are necessary, but exactly what are they, and how do they impact you?
Gas safety is essential for homeowners and anyone who owns a property that operates gas appliances or gas heating. Safety certification is one way that the government regulates the use of gas to keep renters safe, and is necessary for landlords, owners of holiday homes, and those who let rooms in their building to hold on their properties.
Gas safety should be a priority for you whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or tenant since, ultimately, your safety could be at stake. Here’s what you need to know about Gas Safety Certificates in Scotland.
What A Gas Safety Certificate Is
A Gas Safety Certificate is a certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer that confirms a gas appliance is safe for use. It is known as a CP12 certificate, and it is a legal requirement for all landlords in Scotland with gas appliances.
A Gas Safe registered engineer issues a Gas Safety Certificate when they inspect or maintain a gas appliance. These certificates must be updated annually for landlords to remain compliant with the law.
Who Must Have a Gas Safety Certificate
While homeowners should consider having an annual gas safety check carried out, the law does not require it. Conversely, all landlords must have a yearly gas safety check and certification of all properties that have gas appliances. In addition, landlords must obtain new Gas Safety Certificates annually for every appliance in each property.
Landlords that do not have a Gas Safety Certificate for every gas appliance could face a hefty fine. Landlords should also provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificates to their tenants when they move into a property for transparency and compliance.
One exception for landlords is that appliances owned by the tenant do not require a CP12 certificate. Landlords should still maintain the flues connecting any tenant-owned appliances to ensure that they remain safe and in good working order.
How To Obtain a Gas Safety Certificate
Landlords who wish to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate should contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out the necessary checks and maintenance required. The safety checks keep landlords compliant with the law and help keep tenants safe from gas-related illnesses and injuries.
Appliances can wear out over time and may become unsafe, particularly those that are powered by gas. Your tenants may not even realize that there is a problem with the appliance, but a Gas Safe registered engineer should be able to spot any problem before it becomes a hazard.
If Your Appliance Fails The Safety Check
As a landlord, if one or more of your appliances fails the gas safety check, it must be switched off until it can be made safe. Once you have the appliance repaired, a Gas Safe registered engineer must inspect it again to obtain the CP12 certification.
For your tenants’ safety, the appliances mustn’t be used until they’ve been cleared by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you suspect that an appliance may not pass the certification, don’t avoid having a safety check. If you don’t have a current CP12 for the appliance, you could face hefty fines and potentially put your tenants’ lives at risk by using a faulty appliance.
What About Homeowners?
Although homeowners aren’t required to obtain Gas Safety Certificates, it’s still a good idea to schedule regular gas safety checks. Gas safety is essential, and gas appliances can become dangerous as they wear out.
All of the pipes and connections on your gas appliances and gas heaters should be checked and maintained to ensure the safety of everyone living in the home. Carbon monoxide from gas appliances can quickly build up to dangerous levels. To keep yourself and those living in your home safe, consider having annual gas safety checks carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Trust the Professionals with Your Gas Safety
Whether you are a landlord looking to remain compliant with the law, or a homeowner who wants to keep their family safe, gas safety checks are crucial. Gas safety affects anyone living in a home with gas appliances, and because the risks from gas are significant, so is the need for regular checks and maintenance.
At Edinburgh Gas & Renewables, we understand the complexities of the laws surrounding landlords and compliance regarding Gas Safety Certification. Our skilled Gas Safe engineers can help ensure that you remain compliant with the law and keep your tenants safe from carbon monoxide exposure or the risk of an explosion due to a faulty gas line or gas appliance.
In addition to providing gas safety check services for landlords, we can also help homeowners with renewable energy heating and hot water services such as air source heat pumps and solar thermal water heating. Contact us today to see how we can help with your gas and renewable energy needs.
