Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who rents out part or all of their property has to be issued an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords must also keep records for all inspections. This is important if the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to any person renting out a property with gas piping at least once a year. The landlord must present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy tenants and keep copies as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who do not follow the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and could be subject to legal actions. They also risk losing their landlord insurance cover.
In order to conduct an inspection and issue the gas safety certificate, engineers require access to the building and the full information of all appliances in need of being checked, and the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers should also be able to verify that each appliance functions properly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment are in good condition.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and remedies suggested. If the issues cannot be corrected, a further inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued once the issue is fixed. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is important to plan this appointment quickly in order to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can perform an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords are able to search online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords should pick an engineer with competitive prices and a reliable service to ensure their tenants are protected from dangerous gas related issues.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings in a home. This certificate is an essential part of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law, and helps ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords that do not comply with the law could face severe penalties including fines and even prison.
The CP12 document is a complete list of all gas appliances within the building, as well as specific information about each inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test and their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. 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 moves into.
It is crucial to choose the right Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. This professional should have the knowledge and expertise to provide 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, as well as the types of work they are competent to perform. You can also review and get recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of serious legal penalties, such as penalties like fines or even imprisonment. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 can lead to the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords which could leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related accident. To minimize the risk the best option is to schedule annual inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is a valid document that demonstrates that gas appliances in a property have been properly checked for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for every property they lease to tenants. A CP12 provides details about the inspection, including whether each appliance passed or failed, as well as any work required to bring them up to standard. This allows tenants to know what they can expect from a rental property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected costs if there is a problem.
A landlord must give a copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They should also keep records to use for their own reference. Landlords should also be sure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date 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 a legal requirement however, it's also important for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 will reveal any potential problems in your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so they can be dealt with before they become bigger problems.
If you're in the market for a CP12, you can find an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or that is displayed on their service vans. It's also worth contacting the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is fully registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a simple landlord software like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily in the field without needing to keep track of heavy pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that notify their customers when the next check is due.
How long do they last?
The certificate given to the landlord who has successfully completed the CP12 is valid for 12 months following the date of the inspection. This is why it's important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate does not run out. If it doesn't the landlord will be penalized for violating the law.
There are a variety of reasons why landlords might not get their CP12 renewed. One of the most common reasons is that they do not remember. This isn't an excuse. The best option is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then schedule it immediately.
It is also worth noting that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who fails to have their certificate renewed after the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the issue isn't resolved immediately, they could be unable to rent their home and even lose their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is operated by the UK Health and Safety Executive, registers all engineers who have been authorised for CP12 inspections and issuing gas safety certificates. It is an official organization and you will be able to see their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they are employed by. They also have 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 look up their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure about their status.
Where can I purchase one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures that the engineer is qualified to conduct a thorough inspection. If an appliance fails to pass the test the engineer will inform the landlord and recommend any required repairs to be made before a new certificate is issued. Landlords must provide an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the time that the inspection took place.
Invalid CP12 poses significant health and safety risks for tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. https://www.mkgassafety.co.uk do faulty appliances generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is colourless and odourless, but they can also trigger fires and explosions. Blockage of flues can also stop harmful gases from being safely evacuated out of the property, increasing carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety inspections can help to reduce these risks as any problems can be dealt with promptly. In accordance with the instructions or manuals provided by the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipes within their rental properties. The landlord should also keep a record of the maintenance work carried out.
Thankfully, with the aid of landlord free software such as BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is much easier for landlords. 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 receive an up to date CP12 within the stipulated timeframe. This will prevent fines and other issues that could arise from failure to comply with the law.