Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a part or all of their property must be issued an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe and complies with the law.
Landlords must also keep records for every inspection. This is important if the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who rents out a property that has gas piping is legally required to have it examined and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once every year. Landlords need to present the certificates at the beginning of a new tenancy tenants and retain copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.
can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate who don't comply with the law are putting their tenants at risk of dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning and could face possible legal action. They also risk losing their insurance protection for landlords.
Engineers require access to the premises for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They also must know the model and make of each appliance and access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers must also be able confirm that every appliance is operating correctly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment is in good working order.
Any issues discovered during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issue cannot be corrected, another inspection will be needed and a new certificate will be issued when the problem is resolved. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is important to schedule this 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 an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can check online for an engineer certified by Gas Safe in their area.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings in the building. This certificate is a vital part of the landlord's obligations under UK law. It helps to ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not adhere to the law face severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
The CP12 is a detailed document that contains all the property's gas appliances as well as the specific information about each inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date the inspection was conducted. Landlords must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before the tenant moves into.
When selecting a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection It is crucial to choose a professional who has the experience and reputation needed to provide an extensive examination. Verifying the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable method to confirm their credentials. The card will include their registration number, as well as what types of work they're qualified to do. It's also an excellent idea to look up reviews and suggestions from other landlords.
Landlords who neglect to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of serious legal penalties, including fines and even jail time. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas-related incident. To minimize the risk the best option is to schedule annual inspections by a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is an official document that proves that the gas appliances in a property have been properly checked for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for every building they rent to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, such as whether each appliance passed or failed, and any work needed to bring them to a standard. This informs tenants of what they can expect from a rental property, and also helps prevent landlords from incurring unexpected costs if there is any issue.
A landlord must provide an applicant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days after the date of the inspection and also keep records for their own use. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or they could be liable to an infraction or a criminal charge.
Achieving an CP12 isn't just a legal requirement but it's also important for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 will reveal any potential issues with the gas supply to your rental property or appliances, so that they can be addressed before they turn into bigger issues.
You can find a registered engineer online if you are looking for a CP12. You can identify them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. You should also check with CORGI, the governing body (now Gas Safe), to ensure that your engineer is registered to perform CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution like Klipboard that allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and effortlessly 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 will they last?
The certificate given to the landlord who has successfully completed the CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and ensure that their certificate does not expire. If it does not the landlord will be fined for breaking the law.
There are a variety of reasons landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most frequent is that 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 make it a point to schedule it right away.
A CP12 does not come with an extension period. If a landlord fails to renew their certificate prior to the expiry date is in violation of the law. If the issue isn't fixed immediately, they may be unable to rent their property or even be unable to access their gas supply.
All engineers who have been 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. The logo of the official organization on the uniforms and vans of their firms. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when you book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are ever unsure of their status.
Where can I buy one?
A CP12 can only be issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures that the engineer is competent to conduct an extensive 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 an updated certificate. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
Failure to have a valid CP12 could pose significant health and safety risks for tenants, as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They may also trigger fires and explosions. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases from being safely evacuated out of the property and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check can help minimize the risks, as any issues that need to be addressed will 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 line to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. The landlord must also keep a record of every maintenance work.
Fortunately, with the aid of landlord free software such as BOXT, keeping track of these important tasks is much easier for landlords. This can be done by setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants get an authentic CP12 within the specified time. This helps avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not observing the law.