Guide to Getting a Gas Safety Certificate

Are you hoping to get yourself a gas safety cert? Want to know how to get a gas safety certificate?

In this article, we’ll explore various topics, from the types of gas safety certificates to who can provide them to how much they cost and how long they are effective.

Here's everything you should know about getting a gas safety certificate without further ado.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety cert is legal documentation that a gas engineer may provide a homeowner or landlord to show that gas work has been completed.

These certs confirm that the gas works in a property are functioning correctly and safely, as of the time of the last inspection.

When Will I Get the Gas Safety Cert?

Once everything has been checked and approved, a gas safety certificate can be provided to the landlord/homeowner.

The actual check should take between half an hour and sixty minutes, but when you will receive the certificate will depend on the engineer/company.

Types of Gas Safety Certificate

There are, of course, a wide range of gas safety certificates. We’ll now break down what each of these certificates are and what they entail.

Here they are what they mean:

• Homeowner Gas Safety Certificates – In this case, we are referring to a regular gas safety certificate that a homeowner can obtain when a gas safety check has been performed.
• Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - This is the documentation given to a landlord to confirm that their property is gas safe. It is a legal requirement for landlords to obtain such documentation.
• Commercial Gas Safety Certificates - This cert is not necessary for most individuals but is appropriate for a business with commercial gas appliances fitted on their premises. This is also known as a CP42 commercial gas safety certificate, and there are different types depending on the business.
• LPG Gas Safety Certificates - This is an important piece of documentation for those with liquid petroleum gas appliances on their premises.

When is a Gas Safety Certificate Required?

Landlords are legally required to have a gas safety cert; however, homeowners may also wish to have this type of cert, such as if they intend to put their property on sale.

To be more specific about the requirements for landlords, a safety check is necessary before a new lease commences, and it must take place within a year of the lease beginning.

Who Can Provide a Gas Safety Certificate?

A certified gas safety engineer can provide you with this certificate, and they must be registered with the Gas Safety Register. Alternatively, a landlord may provide you with the cert, which in turn, they must have received a Gas Safety registered engineer.

What Does a Gas Safety Check Involve?

We’ll now look at the steps required to perform a gas safety check before a gas safety certificate may be provided.

The following steps apply:

• Check the appliance for the level of gas tightness
• Check the pressure of the functioning gas
• Compare the burner pressure with the manufacturer’s plate
• Check that provision of all necessary ventilation is up to scratch
• Look at the flue flow to confirm that any compatible elements have been taken out
• Inspect that there has been no misuse of gas devices or terms

And how long is it valid for?

A gas safety certificate is valid for a full year before it should be renewed, and for a landlord, it must be renewed.

How Much Does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?

What About the Price?

Well, to have a home inspected for gas safety and to be provided with the relevant cert, expect to pay approximately £60 to £100. The cost of a gas safety certificate will depend on the type and the specific engineer hired.

Additional Information

Did you know? You should also be given a gas safety certificate when a gas safety registered engineer fits any new heat-producing gas appliance in your home.

This would be needed as it informs your Local Authority about this appliance. A gas safety certificate, in this case, should arrive within a month of the installation.

A duplicate Building Regulations Compliance Certificate may be received by contacting Gas Safety Register.

This costs just £6 (and this includes VAT). Alternatively, you can contact the Gas Safety Register on 0800 408 5500 and select option six.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has answered any questions you may have regarding gas safety certificates. We’ve looked at what such a cert is, the various types that exist, when it is required, how much it costs, and other relevant subjects.

Again, only landlords are legally required to receive a gas safety certificate, but you may want to get one even if you are a regular homeowner.