Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion of or their entire property must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate . This will ensure that the appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords must also keep records for every inspection. This is useful should they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue an cp12 gas safety certificate to any person renting out the property that has gas piping at least once a year. The landlord is required to provide the certificates to tenants on the start of the tenancy and keep copies of any subsequent inspections for as long as they own the property.
Landlords who fail to comply with the law are putting their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and face possible legal actions. They also risk losing their landlord insurance.
Engineers need access to the premises for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They must also be aware of the model and brand of each appliance and access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers should also be able to confirm that every appliance is operating properly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment are in good working order.
Any problems found during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issues are not fixed, then another inspection will be needed and a new certificate will be issued after the problem is resolved. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is important to plan this appointment quickly to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can complete an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can look on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can look online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection thorough of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues at a property. This certificate is an essential part of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law and helps to ensure that all tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who fail to follow the law are subject to severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 document is a complete listing of all gas appliances in the building and provides specific information about each inspection and any issues that were found. The document also contains the name of a Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date that the inspection was completed. Landlords must provide the CP12 copy to all tenants CP12 to each tenant within 28 days following their annual inspection, or prior to the tenant moving into.
It is important to choose an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. The professional must have the knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough test. The best way to verify an engineer's credentials is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number as well as the type of work they're qualified to do. You can also look up reviews and 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 to be valid for insurance purposes. This puts landlords at risk financially in the event of a gas-related incident. To avoid these risks the best way to protect yourself 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 an official document that proves that gas appliances in the property were inspected for safety. It is legal for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each property they lease out to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, including whether each appliance was passed or failed, and any work required to bring them up to standard. This informs tenants of what they can expect from renting a property, and also helps stop landlords from incurring unanticipated costs if there is an issue.
A landlord is required to provide a new tenant with an original copy of their CP12 within 28 days after the date of the inspection and also keep records for their personal use. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or else they could be liable to an infraction or a criminal charge.
The requirement to obtain a CP12 certificate is not only legal however, it's also important for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 certificate will highlight any issues that could arise regarding the gas supply and appliances in your rental properties that can be addressed before they grow into larger issues.
If you're interested in getting a CP12 then you can locate an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. 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 check with CORGI the organization that regulates the industry (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is registered to conduct CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a landlord software solution that allows engineers to quickly and easily complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates on the field, without having to keep track of bulky paper pads. They can also set up service reminders to send out notifications to their clients when the next check is due.
How long are they expected to last?
The certificate given to the landlord who has successfully completed the CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months after the date of the inspection. This is the reason it is important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could face a fine.
There are a variety of reasons landlords don't renew their CP12. One of the most frequent is that they simply 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 is not a grace period. If a landlord fails to renew their certificate before the expiry date is in breach of the law. This could mean they will not be able to rent out their property and may even be at risk of losing their gas supply off if the issue isn't addressed immediately.
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 body and you will be able see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they are employed by. They will also have an Gas Safe registration number which they need to present when booking 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 about their status.
Where can I purchase one?
A CP12 can only be issued by an engineer registered on the Gas Safe Register. This guarantees that the engineer is fully competent to conduct an extensive inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will inform the landlord if the appliance fails the test and suggest that any repairs needed be made prior to issuance of an updated certificate. The landlord is required to 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 to the health and safety of tenants. It also places the landlord in breach of the law. Faulty appliances can produce inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They may also trigger fires and explosions. Blockage of flues can also stop harmful gases from being safely evacuated from the premises and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety inspections can help to minimize the risks, as any issues can be addressed promptly. In accordance with the instructions or manuals provided by the manufacturer landlords are also accountable for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties. The landlord must also keep a record of every maintenance work.
Fortunately, with the aid 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 an appointment to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants receive an accurate and up-to date CP12 within the timeframe required. This will help to avoid fines and other issues that may arise from failing to follow the law.