September 15, 2022

How Long Does A Gas Safety Check Take In The UK?

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In the UK, over 4000 people are hospitalized annually due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and around 30% succumb to the injuries. Improper installation and poor maintenance of gas appliances in households, factories, or workplaces are the main causes of carbon monoxide poisoning that lead to this devastating outcome.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can cause fatalities. You can not taste or smell carbon monoxide – making it harder to detect. Some symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Feeling Sick
  • Confusion
  • Fatigue
  • Chest Pain
  • Shortness of breath

The dangers of carbon monoxide can be endless and are well-known, which is why in the UK, it is your legal responsibility as a landlord to obtain a gas safe register certificate from a registered gas safety engineer.

Moreover, it is crucial for gas safety inspections to be carried out annually, as regular inspections can prevent carbon monoxide leakage and help protect your tenants and property.

What is a Gas Safety Check?

As a landlord in the UK, you're legally obliged to have a Gas Installation Safety Check conducted under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 every year. During a gas check, a gas safety engineer will visit your home and inspects all the gas appliances and chimneys within your home or workplace.

The engineer will inspect:

  • The ventilation ducts are unobstructed and functioning properly
  • The device lights up at the appropriate operating pressure
  • Safety devices within the premises are functional
  • Any harmful gases being released

How Long Does a Gas Safety Check Take in the UK?

Gas safety is only beneficial if conducted regularly. Note that a gas safety inspection is mandatory even if you have a gas alarm installed within your property. So, ensure that every gas appliance on your property is inspected for the safety of everyone in it.

A routine gas safety gas check of your household should not take longer than 30 to 60 minutes. However, if any of your appliances are faulty, damaged, or in need of repair, it may take longer. In general, the timeline of a safety check depends entirely on the size and location of your property.

Note that a gas check must only be performed by a registered gas safety engineer to be valid. This will not only keep you on the right side of the law but also ensure the safety of the residents and the appliances on your property.

Furthermore, you are not responsible for the appliances that are owned by your tenants. However, it's still your responsibility to ensure any connecting chimneys are safe for use. Therefore, we recommend getting all the appliances inspected to avoid complications in case of an accident. Prevention is always better than treatment.

How Much Does a Gas Safety Check Cost?

Prices for a gas safety inspection vary depending on your property's location, which service provider you select, and how many appliances need to be inspected. Generally, a gas certificate costs anywhere between £60 to £90 on average.

Since this price range is limited to a property with one boiler, fireplace, or gas hob, we recommend keeping additional money handy! Any additional gas appliances are usually charged £10 each.

Other factors likely to affect the price range include the location of your property. For example, a gas safety inspection is expected to be more expensive in London.

Types of Gas Safety Certificates

There are different types of gas safety certificates for various purposes, and knowing which one you should get for your property is essential.

1. Domestic Gas Safety Certificate

Landlords require a residential or domestic gas safety certificate for domestic buildings. These include homes, flats, residential complexes, dorms, hostels, or any other residential property.

2. Commercial Gas Safety Certificate

A commercial gas safety certificate is required by anyone who owns and lets commercial property. Commercial properties include any place used for business, such as restaurants, cafes, office buildings, shops, pharmacies, and more.

3. New Build Gas Safety Certificate

If you own a property that is being built or even renovated, you need to obtain a new build gas safety certificate.

After the gas safety assessment has been carried out, the gas safety engineer will provide you with a copy. A record of the copy and the safety check should be provided to your tenants.

In the gas safety record, you will find:

  • A description and location of every appliance on your property that was inspected
  • The name, registration number, and signature of the safety engineer who carried out the inspection
  • The date the inspection was done on
  • The address of your property where the appliances or gas flues have been installed
  • Your name and address
  • Details about any faults or safety defects and the actions taken to fix them
  • Results of all the safety checks carried out on the appliances

So, to get your gas safety certificate, you will need to book a visit from a registered gas-safe engineer to visit and inspect your property. As mentioned above, a gas safety engineer will come to your property to check every gas appliance on the premises and any accessible pipework.

Every business on its official list employs engineers with a Gas Safe ID card. Therefore, do not forget to check the engineer's ID card before getting your property inspected. An inspection or certificate by an unregistered gas safety engineer will be considered invalid.

Conclusion for How Long Does a Gas Safety Check Take in the UK?

As a landlord, nothing should be more important to you than the safety of your property and tenants. A gas check will ensure your property and tenants stay safe from any gas hazard and enjoy their stay on your property.

Moreover, it will also keep you on the right side of the law. So, book a visit with a registered gas safety engineer in your area to obtain your gas safety certificate if you haven't already.

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