Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion of their property must have a CP12 gas safety certificate. This guarantees that all appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords should also keep the records of all inspections. This is useful in the event that they decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who leases properties that have gas piping is legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. The landlord must present the certificates at the beginning of a new lease to tenants and retain copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who don't comply with the law put their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and may face legal actions. They also risk losing their landlord insurance coverage.
In order to conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate engineers require access to the premises, full details of all appliances in need of being checked, and the manufacturer and model information for each appliance, as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must be able to verify that every appliance is functioning correctly and that all fittings and pipework are in good order and safely secured.
Any problems found during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the faults cannot be corrected, a further inspection will be needed and a new certificate will be issued after the problem is resolved. The date on which the next inspection is scheduled will be included on the CP12 and should be scheduled quickly to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can complete an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords are able to search online for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can look online for an engineer who is Gas Safe in their area.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection thorough of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings within a building. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's obligations under UK law. It is a way to ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not follow the law are subject to severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
The CP12 is a complete document that includes all the gas appliances that are in the property, along with specific details of each inspection, as well as any issues that were discovered. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test as well as their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection or before a new tenant is moved in.
When choosing the Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection It is crucial to choose a professional with the expertise and reputation required to conduct an extensive examination. The most reliable method of confirming an engineer's credentials is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which contains their registration number and the types of work they're qualified to perform. You can also review and get recommendations from other landlords.
landlord gas safety certificate that fail to maintain a valid CP12 face serious legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 could result in the cancellation of insurance policies for landlords which could leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related accident. The best way to avoiding these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s up-to date by scheduling annual inspections with a licensed Gas Safe engineer.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is an official document that proves that the gas appliances within the property were inspected for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to get and maintain one for each property they rent out to tenants. A CP12 includes specifics of the inspection, including whether or not each appliance passed, and any work required to bring them back up-to-date. This helps tenants understand what to expect when renting out an apartment or house, and can help avoid unexpected costs for landlords if an issue arises.
A landlord must give an official copy of the CP12 to a new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They should also keep records to use for their own reference. Landlords must also ensure to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires because failing to do this could expose them to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain a CP12 isn't just a legal obligation but it's also crucial for the health and well-being of your tenants. A CP12 will identify any potential issues with your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so they can be addressed before they turn into bigger issues.
You can search for a registered engineer online if you are looking for an CP12. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. It's also worth contacting the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to use an efficient landlord software program like Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily on the job without having to keep track of heavy pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that send notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long do they last? for?
If a landlord is able to complete the CP12 and passes it, the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is crucial that landlords book regular CP12 inspections and to ensure that their certificate does not expire. If it does not the landlord is penalized for violating the law.
There are a variety of reasons why landlords might fail to have their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they just forget. This is not an excuse. The best option is to gently remind them that their gas safety inspection is due, and then schedule it immediately.
A CP12 is not a grace period. Any landlord who fails to renew their certificate after the expiry date is in breach of the law. If the issue isn't addressed immediately, they could not be able to rent their home and even be unable to access their gas supply.
All engineers who are authorized to conduct CP12 inspections and issue gas safety certificates are registered with the Gas Safe Register which operates on behalf of the UK Health and Safety Executive. You will see the logo of the official organization on the uniforms and vans of their firms. They also carry a Gas Safe registration number which they need to present when booking an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to look up their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure of their status.
Where can I find one?
Only those who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This assures that the engineer is fully qualified to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will inform the landlord that the appliance has failed the test and suggest that any repairs required be made prior to issuance of a new certificate. The landlord is required to provide an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the date that the inspection took place.
A valid CP12 is essential for the health and safety of tenants. It also places the landlord in breach of the law. Not only can faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide that is colourless and odourless, but they can also trigger fires and explosions. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases being safely expelled from the premises and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to minimize the risks, as any issues that need to be taken care of can be addressed promptly. The landlord is also responsible for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. Landlords must also keep a log of all maintenance work.
With the help of free software for landlords, such as BOXT, it is easier to keep track of these important tasks. It doesn't matter if it's setting a reminder to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants get an up to date CP12 within the stipulated timeframe. This will prevent fines and other problems that can arise from failing to comply with the law.