What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate CP12?
Gas pipework and appliances in rental properties must be examined each year by qualified engineers. The checks are also known as CP12 certificates and must be carried out annually.
CORGI Proforma 12, or CP12 was the official UK Gas Inspection Document until April 2009. Landlords have to keep copies their CP12 certificate for two years in order to be reviewed.
What is what is CP12?
A landlord gas safety cp12 certificate is an official document issued by an Gas Safe registered Engineer that confirms that all gas appliances and installations in the property have been thoroughly inspected. It is required in the UK for landlords to present this certificate. This is to ensure the health and safety of their tenants. Landlords must organize and keep up-to-date with CP12 Gas Inspections, ensure their gas systems in a good condition, and send the CP12 Documentation to their tenants within a 28-day period following each inspection.
The CP12 is an abbreviation for CORGI Proforma 12, which was the official name for the document from 1991 to April 2009. Gas Safe Register replaced the Council for Registered Gas Installers in April 2009. The CP12 was renamed to the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
A CP12 will also include the name of the engineer who carried out the checkup and any immediate safety actions that are required. gas safety certificate replacement of each gas appliance is also documented along with the results of any tests conducted on flues, ventilation and other essential information.
how often gas safety certificate is crucial for landlords to have a CP12 as without one, tenants can report the landlord to the authorities under section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. In some instances it could lead to fines or even eviction.
Faulty gas appliances may produce carbon monoxide. This colourless, odourless gas can be deadly when inhaled. In addition blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from safely leaving the property, posing another fire risk. The CP12 is also an opportunity for landlords to inform their tenants of any potential risks in the property.
While it is legally required to keep a CP12 in place however, the process can be a challenge for many landlords. There are a variety of services that can help make the process simpler. For instance, Klipboard allows landlords to schedule their annual gas inspections ahead of time and receive reminders when it's time to renew. These services will save time and money for landlords as well as ensuring that they are up-to-date on their CP12s.
Who is responsible for the checkup?
As an owner, you are required to provide a safe and secure place to live for your tenants and this includes ensuring that all gas appliances are in compliance with standards. This is why it's so important to have CP12 inspections done each year and to give the copies of these certificates to your tenants when they move in. If a landlord fails to provide an authentic CP12 they could be fined or even sent to prison.
A CP12 document is produced by a specialised gas engineer who inspects all gas pipework, appliances and flues that are in your home. The CP12 includes the contact details of the engineer and a description and where each appliance is located. The CP12 also has an expiry date. Once it expires, you will have to make another appointment with a skilled gas safe engineer in order to renew it.
It is also important to note that the CP12 can only be created by engineers who have been registered with the Gas Safe Register. This is because the document is part of the building safety laws, which are determined by the Health and Safety Executive.
Landlords are legally obliged to carry out a CP12 check on their properties as soon as they rent them out. They are also required to keep records of this and provide their current or new tenants with a copy of the certificate. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in penalties or even jail time for the landlord.
Landlords' responsibilities vary depending on the purpose of the property, however there are a few basic rules that all must follow. These include ensuring that the gas system is safe for tenants, maintaining and fixing the property and providing all documentation required to sell or move out.
If you suspect that your landlord hasn't been able to meet their legal obligations in regards to building safety, then it's a good idea to bring this issue to them. It's possible they didn't make an appointment for a CP12 appointment. By raising the issue you will give them the chance to do so before they are subject to any penalties. If they don't adhere to the law you can report them to HSE as a crime against the public health.
What is included in a checkup?
The CP12 is a device that will protect your tenants from carbon monoxide poisoning. It's legally required for landlords in the UK, so ensure you display it prominently and give a copy of it to your tenants. This will demonstrate that you care about the safety of your tenants, and take proactive steps to maintain your property standards.
A CP12 is one of the reports that includes details of all the gas appliances and pipework within your rental property. It must be completed by a registered and certified Gas Safe engineer. It should include the following:
Description and the location of gas appliances. The appliances that passed or failed inspection. Name, registration number and signature of the engineer. The date of the inspection.
If any of the equipment is unsafe to use, the engineer must inform you and inform you of the required remedial steps. You must make arrangements for the equipment to be fixed before an CP12 can be issued.
The CP12 will not only inspect the appliances in themselves, but also the exhausts and flues within your home. This ensures they are working at the correct pressure, are leak-free and are operating safely. It will also verify that the appliances are combusting gas in a safe manner.
Your CP12 will also include the dates for any future inspections. It is recommended that you schedule your next inspections to occur 12 months after the last one. This will ensure that you always have a CP12 valid and will avoid any delays when issuance of new certificates.
A CP12 certificate must be kept on the landlord's file for at least two years. You must provide the certificate to your tenant at the time they move in and you must provide a new CP12 within 28 days of the date of each inspection.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations require that you ensure that all your rented properties are checked annually for gas appliances. If your tenant does not allow you to access their property to conduct these safety checks then you must write to them and explain that this is an obligation under the law. You can be asking them to allow access. If they do not agree, you will only be able to shut off their gas if you take all "reasonable steps" to gain access.
How do I obtain a CP12?
Finding a Gas Safe certified engineer to conduct an inspection for safety on your home is the easiest method to obtain an CP12 in the UK. There are many companies that offer CP12 checks and it's a good idea to conduct an initial Google search to locate one in your area. Once you've found an engineer, you can arrange an appointment for them to come out and perform the test.
Landlords are legally required to be able to show a CP12 certificate in place prior to renting their property. This is to ensure that all gas appliances fittings, flues and fittings operate correctly and are safe. Failure to comply with gas safety regulations could lead to hefty penalties and even jail time in some cases. A valid CP12 certificate provides landlords with the peace of mind they require to ensure their tenants are safe and that they are in compliance with legal requirements.
The CP12 will indicate if each appliance has passed the safety test or failed. It will also include any suggestions for actions or repairs that are required to ensure the appliance's security. Landlords are required to respond within 28 days. They must also provide their tenants a copy of CP12 within 28 days of the inspection.
If a landlord does not have a CP12 in place, they could be punished by the Health and Safety Executive. They will also lose the right to evict tenants in accordance with Section 21 of 1988 Housing Act. This makes it much harder for landlords to rent out their properties, especially when they are concerned about safety issues.
While a CP12 could be a legal requirement however, some landlords are hesitant to conduct an annual CP12 check. Many landlords make excuses such as not remembering, being busy or going on vacation. Carbon monoxide poisoning is an extremely serious threat to the safety of tenants.
Landlords can prevent this by reminding tenants about the upcoming inspection. One way to do this is to use an application for managing landlords, such as Klipboard, which allows users to set reminders for service appointments, which includes CP12 renewals. These reminders are sent via SMS, email or a mobile apps and can assist tenants to stay on the top of their maintenance obligations.