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Gas safety certificates explained

three people, one an installer looking around a table looking at a magazine
installer carrying out work underneath a boiler

What is a gas safety certificate?

A gas safety certificate (often referred to as an LGSR - Landlord Gas Safety Record) is documented proof that your gas heating system has been checked or worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer and is in working order. This document is usually provided after work has been undertaken on your system, though will also be given after an annual boiler service and will be valid for 12 months. Please note that it is not a legal requirement for the engineer to provide you with a gas safe certificate, but it can be beneficial to request one for your own records.

A certificate should contain the following information:

  • Details of tested appliances/pipework & they’re location
  • The results of safety checks & work
  • Breakdown of any known safety issues from the test
  • Any outstanding work that may be required
  • Details of the property, including address and ownership, such as landlord information
  • Information of the Gas Safe engineer, their signature & the date of the work carried out

The actual layout and/or presentation of the document will vary between engineers, but should have all of the above information to be complete and official. Don’t fear if the template or look deviates from other certificates you’ve seen, providing it has the necessary information it will be sufficient as proof of your appliance’s safety.

Do I need a gas safety certificate for my boiler?

As a homeowner, there is no legal requirement for you to have an up-to-date gas safe certificate. Such legislation applies specifically to landlords, who must ensure that their property possesses the correct documentation and proof that all appliances are gas safe, and serves to protect tenants from unsafe environments.

With that said, there are advantages to having a gas safety certificate for your property. For example, when selling your house it is possible that potential buyers may ask for proof of your system’s safety, which can be quickly shown with a certificate. Although it is unlikely that this would affect a sale, there is always a chance that it could reduce interest in your property. Given that many boiler manufacturers require annual checks to ensure warranties remain valid, it doesn’t take a great deal of effort to get a certificate for your personal records.

How do I get a gas safety certificate?

If you don’t currently have a gas safety certificate, you’ll need to arrange a check-up of your boiler and gas appliances with a Gas Safe registered engineer. Most boilers require an annual check to ensure their warranty remains intact, so if this is already scheduled you can save money by waiting until that time. Otherwise, you can arrange a one-off service and can still obtain a certificate.

When your engineer performs the check, you can request a certificate to be provided once the work has been properly carried out. We recommend requesting this ahead of time to ensure the engineer is prepared to provide the LGSR.

Summary

Although not an essential or legal requirement as a homeowner, having a gas safety certificate provides you with the necessary documentation to show your system’s efficacy, which can be helpful for the sale of a property, for proof of warranty, or for your peace of mind.

If you’re considering letting the property, then having this certificate ahead of time is a must, making it beneficial to consistently renew your certificate.

If you need an updated gas safety certificate, contact your local installer

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