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 ensures that all appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords should also keep the records of all inspections. This can be useful should they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to any person renting out the property that has gas piping at least once a year. Landlords 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 don't comply with the law are putting their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and are facing potential legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance cover.
Engineers need access to the premises for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They also must know the model and make of each appliance and access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers must also confirm that every appliance is operating correctly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment is in good condition.
Any issues discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issues cannot be fixed then another inspection is needed and a new certificate will be issued once the issue is resolved. The date that the next inspection is due will be included on the CP12 and must be scheduled in a timely manner to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorised to complete an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate . Landlords are able to search online for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords should pick an engineer with affordable prices and a reliable service to make sure their tenants are safe from potentially dangerous gas related issues.
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 the landlord's duties under UK law. It assists in ensuring that tenants live in a safe and safe environment. Landlords who fail to comply with the law could face severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 is a complete document that contains all the gas appliances that are in the property, along with specific information about each inspection, as well as 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. 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 is moved in.
When choosing a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection It is crucial to choose a reputable professional with the expertise and credibility required to conduct an extensive examination. Examining the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable way to verify their credentials. The card contains their registration number and the types of work they are competent to do. It's also a good idea to look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords that fail to maintain a valid CP12 face serious legal penalties, including penalties of imprisonment and fines. In addition, lack of a CP12 can lead to the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords, leaving them financially vulnerable in the case of a gas-related event. To reduce the risk the best option is to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is a document that certifies that the gas appliances within the property were inspected for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each property they lease out to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, such as whether each appliance was passed or failed, and any work required to bring them up to standard. This lets tenants know what they can expect when renting an apartment or house, and can help avoid unexpected expenses for the landlord in the event that an issue arises.
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, as well as keeping records for their personal use. Landlords should also make sure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date, 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 crucial to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 will identify any potential problems in the gas supply to your rental property or appliances, so they can be dealt with before they turn into bigger issues.
If you're in the market for a CP12, you can find an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognise them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or on their service vans. It's also worth checking with the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is fully licensed to conduct CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a simple landlord software such as Klipboard that allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and conveniently in the field without needing to keep track of heavy pads of paper. They can also set reminders for service for their clients, and automatically notify them when their next inspection is scheduled to be completed.
How long do they last? for?
The certificate issued to landlords who have successfully completed the CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificates do not expire. If it does not, the landlord could be punished for breaking the law.
There are many reasons why landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most common reasons is that they do not remember. This is not a good excuse and the best option in this case is to politely remind them that the gas safety check is due and then make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible.
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. This could mean that they will not be able to rent their property and could be at risk of being cut off from gas off if the issue isn't fixed straight away.
All engineers who have been authorized 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. You can see the logo of the official organization on the uniforms and vans of their companies. They will also carry an Gas Safe registration number which they must provide when booking 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 ever unsure of their status.
Where can I purchase one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This assures that the engineer is competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. If an appliance fails the check the engineer will notify the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before a new certificate is issued. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days after the inspection.
Invalid CP12 can pose serious health and safety risks for tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Faulty appliances can produce colourless and odourless carbon monoxide. They can also cause fires and explosions. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases from being safely emitted out of the property and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help reduce these risks as any problems can be dealt with promptly. The landlord is also responsible to perform annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipes in their rental properties, in line to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. The landlords must also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the help of free software for landlords such as BOXT, it is easier to keep track of these important tasks. Whether it's by setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants have an official CP12 within the specified time. This will prevent fines and other problems that could arise from failure to adhere to the law.