Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a piece of their property is required to obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe and in compliance with the laws.
Landlords should also keep records for all inspections. This can be useful should they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who leases properties that have gas piping must be legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. The landlord must present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy tenants and retain copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who don't comply with the law put their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning and may be liable to legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance.
Engineers require access to the property in order to conduct the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They also must be aware of the model and manufacturer of each appliance and access to the manufacturer specifications. The engineers must also be able of confirming that every appliance is functioning properly and that all pipework and fittings are in good order and securely secured.
Any issues discovered during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issues are not fixed, then another inspection is needed and a new certificate will be issued after the issue is resolved. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is crucial to schedule this inspection as soon as possible in order to avoid any problems.
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 search online for an engineer certified by Gas Safe in their area.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a document issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues within a building. This certificate is a crucial part of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law and helps ensure that all tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not comply with the law could face severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 document is a complete list of all gas appliances located in the property, as well as specific information about each inspection, and any issues that were identified. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test as well as their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. how long does a gas safety certificate last must provide a copy of CP12 to each tenant within 28 days of their annual inspection, or prior to the tenant moving in.
When selecting an Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection It is crucial to select a qualified professional with the expertise and reputation required to conduct an accurate inspection. The best method to confirm the credentials of an engineer is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which includes their registration number and the types of work they're qualified to carry out. You can also 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. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This leaves landlords vulnerable financially in the case of a gas related incident. To avoid these risks, the best strategy is to schedule annual inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is a legal document that confirms that gas appliances in the property have been tested for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to get and maintain a CP12 for every building they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, such as whether each appliance passed or failed, as well as the work required to bring them up to standard. This helps tenants understand what they can expect when renting the property, and also helps prevent unexpected expenses for the landlord in the event that there is a problem.
A landlord must provide the new tenant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days after the date of the inspection and also keep records for their personal use. Landlords must also ensure to renew their CP12 before it expires because failing to do so could lead to a penalty fine or even criminal prosecution.
Achieving an CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but it's also crucial for the health and well-being of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will highlight any issues that could arise with the gas supply and appliances in your rental properties, which can be fixed before they turn into bigger problems.
You can search for an engineer registered online if you are looking for an CP12. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. It's also worth checking with the governing body of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a simple landlord software, like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily 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 are they good for?
If a landlord is able to complete the CP12 and is able to pass it, the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of inspection. It is crucial that landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificate does not expire. If it does it, the landlord is breaking the law and could be subject to a fine.
There are a variety of reasons landlords fail to renew their CP12. One of the most frequent is that they just forget. This is not a reason to excuse. The best thing to do is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then plan it as soon as possible.
A CP12 does not have a grace period. Any landlord who fails to renew their certificate before the expiry date is in breach of the law. This could mean they won't be able to rent out their property and could risk being cut off from gas off if the issue isn't addressed immediately.
Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive is a register of all engineers who are authorised for CP12 inspections and issuing gas safety certificates. You can see the logo of this official organisation on the uniforms and vans of their firms. They also have an Gas Safe registration number which they need to present when booking an inspection. This registration number is unique and can be used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where do I get one?
A CP12 can only be issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures the engineer is fully qualified for an extensive inspection. If an appliance fails to pass the test, the engineer will warn the landlord and suggest any necessary repairs to be made before the new certificate is issued. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days following the inspection.
Inability to obtain a valid CP12 can pose serious dangers to health and safety for tenants and puts the landlord in breach of the law. Not only can faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odourless but they can also trigger explosions and fires. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases from being safely emitted from the premises, increasing carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help reduce the risk, since any issues that require to be taken care of can be addressed 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 accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. Landlords should also keep records of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the help of free landlord software such as BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is much easier for landlords. It doesn't matter if it's setting an alarm to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that tenants receive an up to date CP12 within the timeframe required. This will help to avoid fines and other problems that can arise from failing to follow the law.