Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone renting out a part of or their entire property is required to obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This guarantees that all appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords also need to keep records of any inspections. This will come in handy should they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to anyone who leases the property that has gas piping at least once a year. Landlords must present the certificates to prospective tenants on the start of a tenancy and keep copies of any future inspections for as long as they own the property.
Landlords who do not comply with the law are putting their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and face possible legal actions. They also risk losing their insurance protection for landlords.
Engineers require access to the property in order to conduct the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They also need to know the model and make of each appliance and access to the manufacturer specifications. The engineers must also be able to verify that each appliance is operating correctly and that all fittings and pipework are in good condition and securely secured.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12, and solutions will be suggested. If the issues cannot be fixed then another inspection will be needed and a new certificate will be issued once the problem is resolved. The date that the next inspection is due to be recorded on the CP12 and must be scheduled promptly to prevent any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can perform an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can check online for the Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can search online for an engineer who is Gas Safe in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of gas appliances, fittings and flues in the building. This certificate is an essential element of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law and helps ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who fail to comply with the law could face severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
The CP12 document is a comprehensive listing of all gas appliances located in the property and provides specific information about each inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also lists the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test, their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords are required to give a copy of CP12 to each tenant within 28 days of their annual inspection, or prior to the tenant moving into.
When choosing a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection, it is important to choose a professional with the expertise and credibility required to conduct a thorough inspection. Examining the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable method of confirming their credentials. This card includes their registration number and what types of work they're competent to do. It's also an excellent idea to review and get recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain an active CP12 are subject to serious legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This puts landlords at risk financially in the case of a gas related incident. To minimize the risk the best option is to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is an official document that proves that the gas appliances inside a property were checked for safety. It is legal for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each building they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains the details of the inspection, such as whether or not each appliance was passed, as well as any work required to bring them back up-to-date. This allows tenants to know what they can expect from a rental property, and can help keep landlords from having to pay unexpected expenses if there's any issue.
A landlord is required to provide an applicant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection and keep records for their own use. Landlords should also be sure to renew their CP12 before it expires in the event that they fail to do so could leave them open to a penalty fine or even criminal prosecution.
Getting a CP12 certificate isn't just an obligation under the law however, it is important for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 will identify any potential problems in your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so that they can be dealt with before they become a bigger issue.
You can locate an engineer registered on the internet if you're looking for an CP12. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniform or that is displayed on their service vans. You should also contact CORGI the organization that regulates the industry (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is licensed to carry out CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a software for landlords solution that allows engineers to quickly and easily complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field, without having to keep an eye on bulky paper pads. They can also set up service reminders to notify their customers when the next check is due.
How long do they last? for?
The certificate issued to landlords who have successfully completed a CP12 is valid for 12 months after the date of the inspection. It is therefore essential that landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to ensure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does not, the landlord could be penalized for violating the law.
There are a variety of reasons landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most frequent reasons is because they forget. This is not a reason to excuse. The best thing to do is to gently remind them that their gas safety inspection is due and schedule it immediately.
It is important to note that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who does not renew their certificate prior to the expiry date will be in violation of the law. This could mean that they won't be able to rent their property and may even be in danger of being cut off from gas off if the problem isn't fixed straight away.
All engineers who are authorised 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. This is an official organisation and you'll be able to see their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they work for. They will also carry an Gas Safe registration number which they will need to provide when they book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to search their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure of their status.
Where can I get one?
Only engineers registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This assures that the engineer is competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will notify the landlord if the appliance fails the test and suggest that any repairs needed be made before issuing the new certificate. Landlords must provide an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the time that the inspection took place.
A valid CP12 is vital for the safety and health of tenants. It also puts the landlord in violation of the law. Not only do faulty appliances generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is odorless and colourless, but they can also trigger fires and explosions. Additionally, blocked gas safety certificate homeowner can prevent harmful gases from being safely expelled from the property, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to reduce these risks, as any issues that require to be addressed will be addressed promptly. According to the instructions or manuals of the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. Landlords should also keep records of the maintenance work carried out.
Fortunately, with the help of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these important tasks is much easier for landlords. It doesn't matter if it's setting a reminder to issue a CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants receive an up to date CP12 within the required timeframe. This will help avoid fines and other issues that can arise from failing to adhere to the law.