Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a part or all of their property must obtain an 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 will be helpful if the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who leases a property that has gas piping is legally required to have it inspected and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. Landlords need to present the certificates at the beginning of a new tenancy tenants and keep copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who don't comply with the law are placing their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and could face possible legal actions. They also risk losing their landlord insurance coverage.
Engineers need access to a property to conduct the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They must also be aware of the model and brand of each appliance, and have access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers must also ensure that every appliance functions properly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment is in good condition.
Any problems identified during the inspection would be noted on the CP12 and remedies suggested. If relevant web site are not addressed, a second inspection is required, and a new certification will be issued after the issue is fixed. The CP12 will include the date of the next inspection. It is essential to schedule this inspection as soon as possible to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can check online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can check 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 extensive inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances within a building. This certificate is a crucial part of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law, and helps ensure that all tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not follow the law may be penalized severely, ranging from fines and even prison.
The CP12 document is a comprehensive listing of all gas appliances in the home as well as specific information about every inspection and any issues that were found. 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 completed. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before a new tenant is moved in.
When selecting 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 accurate examination. The best way to verify the credentials of an engineer is to verify their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number as well as the kinds of work they're qualified to carry out. 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, which could include fines and even imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 could result in the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords and leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. To reduce the risk the best option is to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is a valid document that demonstrates that the gas appliances in a property have been properly examined for safety. It is legal for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each property they rent out to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, such as whether each appliance passed or failed, as well as the work required to bring them up to standards. This helps tenants understand what to expect when renting out the property, and also helps to avoid costly costs for landlords if there is a problem.
A landlord must provide an applicant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the date of the inspection and keep records for their own use. Landlords should also be sure to renew their CP12 before it expires, as failure to do so could leave them open to a penalty fine or even criminal prosecution.
Achieving an CP12 isn't just a legal obligation but it's also important to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will highlight any potential issues with the gas supply and appliances in your rental property and can be rectified before they become bigger problems.
You can search for an engineer who is registered online if you are looking for an CP12. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vehicles. You should also check with CORGI the governing body (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is licensed to perform CP12 inspections.
Another option is to use a streamlined landlord software solution like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and conveniently in the field without needing to keep track of large pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that send out notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long will they last?
The certificate issued to the landlord who has successfully completed the CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months following the date of the inspection. It is therefore essential that landlords book regular CP12 inspections and ensure that their certificates do not expire. If it doesn't the landlord is punished for breaking the law.
There are a variety of reasons landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most common is that they simply forget. This isn't an excuse. The most effective way to handle this is to remind them politely 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 prior to the expiry date is in violation of the law. This could mean that they will not be able to rent their property, and could risk having their gas supply cut off if the issue isn't fixed straight away.
Gas Safe Register, which is operated by the UK Health and Safety Executive, registers all engineers who have been authorised to conduct CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. This is an official organisation and you will be able to spot 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 must provide when they book an inspection. This registration number is unique and can be used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I get one?
Only engineers who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This ensures that the engineer is qualified to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. If an appliance fails to pass the test the engineer will notify the landlord and suggest any needed repairs before the new certificate is issued. The landlord must give a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the inspection taking place.
A valid CP12 is vital to 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. In addition, blocked flues can prevent harmful gases from being safely expelled out of the home, thereby increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help reduce these risks since any problems can be dealt with promptly. The landlord is also responsible for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipes in their rental properties, in line to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. Landlords are also required to keep a log of all maintenance work.
Thankfully, with the aid of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is much easier for landlords. It's as simple as setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure their tenants get an official CP12 in the required timeframe. This will prevent fines and other problems that could arise from failure to follow the law.