Gas Safety Checks

Why Should You get a Gas Safety Check?

It’s a legal requirement that all landlords and property managers must have a gas safety check or service at least once every 12 months to ensure that all gas equipment is working as it should. If landlords fail to do this, they risk a fine and up to 6 months jail time. Once this safety check has been completed, a Landlord Gas Safety certificate, also known as a CP12 certificate, should be issued as proof.

What is a CP12 Certificate?

A CP12 certificate stands for CORGI Proforma 12 and originates from when CORGI was the UK’s statutory gas safety body; this was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009 which is still in use today. As a result of this change, the certificate was also given a more generic name, a Landlord Gas Safety certificate, however many gas engineers still refer to it as a CP12 certificate.

How to Get a Gas Safety Certificate?

To get this certificate, your gas engineer will need to be qualified and registered on the Gas Safe Register. As part of this, they should be issued an ID card with the gas safe logo on it, which they should present to you when they come to complete any gas work. If they aren’t registered, then it’s illegal for them to carry out any work on any gas equipment.

What is a Gas Safety Check?

Gas safety checks take around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size and number of appliances being tested, and should be carried out on any gas appliances, such as boilers, pipework, flues, ovens and chimneys. As part of this service, your gas engineer should check:

• Appliances have the correct pressure
• Appliances are burning gas properly
• Appliances have adequate air supply
• Flues, chimneys and pipes are clear so gasses and fumes can be safely discharged
• Safety devices are working properly

When Should You Get a Gas Safety Check?

Any gas equipment should be checked at least once every 12 months, there’s no set time of year that these gas safety checks must be carried out, however we would recommend to service equipment before the colder months of late autumn and winter. As tenants will be using their heating more often, which puts added strain on boilers and gas fires, and makes it more likely that they’ll break down. By servicing the boiler beforehand, this gives the gas engineer chance to fix any problems before they become a major issue, which will save you time and money in the long run.

How Can we Help?

Here at Metro Plumb, we have a number of Gas Safe Registered plumbers across the UK, who are expertly trained in all gas services and repairs. So you can have peace of mind that your tenants gas equipment is safe for use and is reliable throughout the year ahead. To find out more about the gas safe engineers in your area, get in touch or call 0800 415 514 today!