Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone renting out a part of their property or the entire one must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe and comply 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 should be legally required to have it inspected and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. Landlords are required to give the certificates to tenants on the start of a tenancy. They must also keep copies of any subsequent inspections for the duration of their ownership of the property.
Landlords who fail to comply with the law put their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and could be subject to legal actions. They also risk losing their insurance protection for landlords.
Engineers require access to the premises to carry out the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They must also be aware of the model and brand of each appliance as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers must also be able confirm that every appliance is operating properly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment are in good working order.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and remedies suggested. If the issues are not fixed, then a further inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued when the issue is fixed. The date on which the next inspection is due to be recorded on the CP12 and should be scheduled quickly to prevent any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorized to conduct an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords can search online for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can check online for an engineer who is Gas Safe in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances within a building. This certificate is an essential element of the responsibilities a landlord has under UK law, and helps ensure that tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who fail to adhere to the law face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The CP12 document contains a complete list of all gas appliances within the building, as well as specific details about each inspection and any issues that were identified. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date on which the inspection was conducted. The landlord must provide each tenant with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection or prior to the time a new tenant is moved in.
It is crucial to choose an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct an CP12 examination. This professional should have the experience and reputation to conduct a thorough test. The best way to verify an engineer's credentials is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number as well as the type of work they are able to perform. You can also review and get recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who neglect to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, including penalties like fines or even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable financially in the case of a gas related incident. To avoid these risks the best option is to schedule regular inspections by a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is a legal document that confirms that gas appliances in the property have been tested for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and have one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, such as the degree to which each appliance passed, and any work required to bring them up to date. This lets tenants know what to expect when renting out the property, and also helps prevent unexpected costs for the landlord if an issue arises.
A landlord must give an official copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days after the inspection. They should also keep records 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 is also essential to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will identify any potential problems in the gas supply or appliances in your rental property, which can be fixed before they turn into bigger problems.
If you're in the market for a CP12, you can find an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognise them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or that is displayed on their service vans. It's also worth checking with the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is licensed to conduct CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution like Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily on the job without having to keep track of bulky pads of paper. They can also set service reminders for their clients, which will automatically send them a notification when their next check is due to be carried out.
How long will they last?
If a landlord is able to complete an CP12 and is able to pass it the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is crucial that landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does, the landlord is breaking the law and could be punished with a fine.
There are a variety of reasons why landlords may fail to get their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they forget. This is not a good excuse, and the best option in this situation is to politely remind them that their gas safety check is due and then make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible.
A CP12 does not come with an extension period. Any landlord who fails renew their certificate prior to the expiry date is in violation of the law. This could mean that they won't be able to rent out their property and could risk having their gas supply cut off if the issue isn't fixed straight away.
gas safety certificate landlord 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. gas safety certificate for landlords is an official body and you'll be able to see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they work for. They will also have a Gas Safe registration number which they will need to provide 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 about 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 guarantees that the engineer is competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will inform the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and recommend that any necessary repairs be made before issuing an updated certificate. Landlords must 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 vital for the safety and health of tenants. It also puts the landlord in violation of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide that is odorless and colourless, but they can also trigger fires and explosions. Additionally blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from being safely expelled from the building, increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks can reduce these risks since any problems can be dealt with promptly. In accordance with the instructions or manuals of the manufacturer, landlords are also responsible for the annual maintenance of gas appliances and pipes within their rental properties. Landlords must also keep a log of all maintenance work.
Fortunately, with the help of free landlord software such as BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is much easier for landlords. Whether this is by setting an alarm to issue a CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants get an accurate and up-to date CP12 within the stipulated timeframe. This will help to avoid fines and other problems that could arise from failure to adhere to the law.