All landlords are responsible to ensure that the gas appliances and fittings in their property are safe for tenant use. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 requires landlords to possess a valid gas safety certificate and to provide a copy of this certificate to your tenant.
Gas safety certificates are valid for 12 months. Inspections can only be completed by a registered gas safety engineer. Such an engineer will have a registration card as evidence of their qualifications. When in doubt, it is always a good idea to ask to see this registration card.
In carrying out a gas safety inspection, a registered gas safety engineer will inspect not only the gas appliances, but also the gas supply, gas flues and ventilation. At Plumbers Vauxhall, we are fully registered and qualified to carry out these inspections and to issue gas safety certificates.
What If I Don’t Have a Valid Gas Safety Certificate?
There are very serious potential consequences involved in failing to obtain a valid gas safety certificate. First, safe gas appliances cause a risk of fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning. Secondly, there are serious legal and financial consequences to failing to fulfill your obligations under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, including:
Substantial fines and/or a custodial sentence.
Most insurance companies will declare your policy invalid if you’re found not to have a gas safety certificate.
If a tenant is harmed as a result of your failure to obtain a gas safety certificate, unlimited fines may be imposed by the court; and
If a tenant dies as a result of negligence in this regard, you may be charged with manslaughter.
If you require a gas safety inspection, give us a call today to make a booking.