Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a piece of or their entire property must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe and that they are in compliance with the law.
Landlords should also keep a record for every inspection. This is important should the landlord decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue an cp12 gas safety certificate to anyone who leases an apartment with gas pipes at least once per year. Landlords need to present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy tenants and keep copies as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who don't comply with the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and may be liable to legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance cover.
To carry out an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate engineers must have access to the property, full details of all appliances in need of inspection, as well as the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, along with access to the manufacturer's 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 issues discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and the suggested remedies. If the issues cannot be corrected, another inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued once the problem is resolved. The date on which the next inspection is due will be recorded on the CP12 and must be scheduled in a timely manner to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct 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 an engineer certified by Gas Safe in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings in a home. This certificate is an essential element of the landlord's responsibilities under UK law. It helps to ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who fail to comply with the law could be penalized severely, ranging from fines and prison.
The CP12 is a comprehensive document that includes all the gas appliances in the home as well as the specific details for each inspection and any issues identified. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test and their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords must provide all tenants 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 important to choose an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. The professional must have the experience and reputation to conduct a thorough examination. Checking 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 what types of work they're competent to perform. It's also recommended to look up reviews and suggestions from other landlords.
Landlords who do not have a valid CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties including fines and even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable 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 a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is a document that certifies that gas appliances in a property were checked for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to get and maintain one for each property they rent out to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, including whether each appliance passed or failed, as well as any work required to bring them to a standard. This helps tenants understand what to expect when renting out an apartment or house, and can help avoid unexpected costs for landlords if there is a problem.
A landlord is required to provide the new tenant with an original copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the date of the inspection and also keep records for their own use. Landlords must also renew their CP12 before the expiration date or they could be liable to being fined or even a criminal prosecution.
A CP12 certificate isn't just an obligation under the law however, it's also crucial for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 certificate will highlight any issues that could arise with the gas supply and appliances in your rental property that can be addressed before they turn into bigger problems.
You can locate a registered engineer on the internet if you're looking for an CP12. You can recognise them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms or that is displayed on their service vans. It is also advisable to check with the governing body of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is fully authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a landlord software solution that lets engineers quickly and efficiently complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates in the field without the need to keep an eye on bulky paper pads. They can also set up service reminders to send notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long do they last? for?
When a landlord completes an CP12 and passes it, the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. This is why it is essential for landlords to book regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does, the landlord is breaking the law and could be punished with a fine.
Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords might not get their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they just forget. This isn't an 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.
It is also important to remember 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. This could mean that 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 resolved immediately.
All engineers who have been authorized to conduct CP12 inspections and issue gas safety certificate s are registered with the Gas Safe Register which operates on behalf of the UK Health and Safety Executive. This is an official organisation and you will be able see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they work for. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when you book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure about their status.
Where can I get one?
how often gas safety certificate can only be issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This guarantees that the engineer is competent to perform an extensive inspection. If an appliance fails to pass the test, the engineer will warn the landlord and recommend any needed repairs before the new certificate is issued. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
Inability to obtain a valid CP12 poses significant dangers to health and safety for tenants, as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide that is colorless and smellless. They may also trigger fires and explosions. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases from being safely emitted out of the property which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to minimize the risks, as any issues that need to be addressed can be dealt with quickly. The landlord is also accountable for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties in accordance to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. Landlords should also keep records of the maintenance work carried out.
Thankfully, with the aid of landlord free software such as BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is much easier for landlords. Whether it's by setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure their tenants receive a valid CP12 within the timeframe required. This will help avoid fines and other issues that can arise from failing to follow the law.