All commercial landlords/tenants who rent out all or part of their property are required by law to carry out Commercial Gas Safety Checks, this means the inspection and maintenance of all gas appliances and piping systems annually, as adopted by the government in 1996. Modern heating engineers are qualified to carry out annual gas safety inspections and will issue you with a Gas Safety Certificate CP17 after your property has been inspected and passed.
Some of the benefits of regular Gas Appliance maintenance are that you comply with the latest legal requirements and that your residents and building staff are safe. Your property will be more Energy efficiency and equipment life will be extended. Equipment reliability will be improved and downtime reduced.
Important things to know as a landlord about Commercial Gas Safety Checks
The Gas safety (installation and use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) specifically say that:
(Part F 35)
Every employer or self-employed person shall ensure that all gas appliances, pipes or chimneys installed in a workplace under his supervision are maintained in a safe condition to prevent the risk of injury to persons.
Part F 36(3)(a)
Ensure that each device and channel to which this requirement applies is inspected for safety within 12 months of installation and at intervals not exceeding 12 months after the last safety inspection.
Part F 35(3)(c)
Ensure that a record is made and maintained of each appliance or flue gas tested in this manner.
Owners and their agents are required by law to ensure that all commercial heating gas appliances, fittings and piping are in good condition. This means that you must maintain all gas installations and appliances on a regular basis, and you must keep a record of the work done on the gas under supervision. Ensure that all gas appliances and piping undergo a commercial safety inspection annually or prior to rental. Ensure that commercial gas installations and appliances are inspected prior to rental, whether or not a safety certificate exists.
All installation, maintenance and Commercial Gas Safety Checks must only be carried out by a Gas Safe approved engineer. Keep a record of each commercial gas safety inspection for 2 years as it is issued by a registered gas safety installer/inspector. Provide a copy of the gas installer’s safety report to each existing tenant or new tenants within 28 days of the safety inspection before work begins.
A The tenant must ensure that a property has a valid and current safety certificate from the owner. Safe and properly maintained gas installations and appliances and Evidence of regular maintenance of appliances by a Gas Safe approved installer.
Owners have to do it:
Landlord and Property owners have to ensure that the occupants have easy access to the gas meter and valve. Make sure tenants know to turn off the gas supply to the house and call TRANSCO on 0800 111 999 if they suspect a gas or carbon monoxide leak. Advise tenants not to make their own repairs to gas appliances, Advise tenants, with reasonable notice, that you must have access to the property to carry out safety checks and maintenance of gas appliances. Ensure that residents are discouraged from using gas appliances that they consider unsafe.
Owners may not
Attempting or allowing anyone other than a Gas Safe authorised technician to maintain or repair gas installations or appliances.
Commercial Gas Safety Checks are the Landlord’s liability
All commercial landlords renting property must have a valid Gas Safety Certificate. This certificate is valid for 12 months or until the end of the lease and can only be issued by a Gas Safe licensed gas engineer.
The technician must check them to issue a gas safety certificate:
- Gas supply
- Gas appliances
- Gas ducts
- Ventilation
Owners are required to keep copies of the report and inspection certificate and to keep records of the work performed. You can request a copy if needed. If the engineer discovers a problem, the owner is required to correct it using the gas safety record. Failure to do so or to produce a valid gas safety certificate may be a criminal offence subject to prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive. The gas installer has the right to seal defective equipment or require the gas company (TRANSCO) to shut off the gas supply to the system.
New appliances should always be approved and commissioned by a licensed gas technician (unless the homeowner can demonstrate their own competence (i.e. trained and qualified in gas matters)). If the owner does not have a current gas safety certificate or does not carry out the necessary repairs, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is liable. Failure to comply with gas safety requirements is a criminal offence and can result in fines or imprisonment.