Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a part or all of their property must get a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures that the appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords must also keep records for all inspections. This can be useful should they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who rents out a property that has gas piping is legally required to have it examined and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. Landlords must present the certificates to prospective tenants on the start of a tenancy. They must also keep copies of any subsequent inspections for as long as they own the property.
Landlords who do not comply with the law put their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning and may face legal action. They also risk losing the insurance coverage for landlords.
In order to conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the property and the full information of all appliances that need being checked, and the manufacturer and model information for each appliance, as well as access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers must also be able confirm that every appliance is operating properly 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 remedies suggested. If the faults cannot be fixed then another inspection is needed and a new certificate will be issued after the issue is fixed. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is important to plan this appointment quickly in order to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorised to complete an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords can look online for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords should choose an engineer that offers competitive prices and an efficient service to ensure their tenants are protected from dangerous gas related issues.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a document issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances at a property. This certificate is a crucial part of the responsibilities a landlord has under UK law, and helps ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who don't comply with the law could face severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
The CP12 is a complete document that includes all the property's gas appliances and the specific details for each inspection and any issues identified. The document also contains the name of Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date the inspection was completed. 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 in.
It is important to choose an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 exam. This professional should have the knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough examination. Checking the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable way to verify their credentials. The card contains their registration number as well as what kind of work they're qualified to do. You can also review and get recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of serious legal penalties, including fines and even jail time. In addition, lack of a CP12 can lead to the cancellation of landlords' insurance policies which could leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. To minimize the risk, the best strategy 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 legal document that demonstrates that gas appliances in a property have been properly examined for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for each property they lease to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, including whether each appliance was passed or failed, as well as any work needed to bring them up to standards. This allows tenants to know what they are getting from a rental property, and can help stop landlords from incurring unanticipated costs in the event of a problem.
A landlord must provide an official copy of the CP12 to a new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They must also keep records for their own reference. Landlords should also make sure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date, as failure to do so could lead to a penalty fine or even criminal prosecution.
Getting a CP12 certificate is not only a legal requirement however, it's also important 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 become bigger issues.
If you're in the market for a CP12, you can find an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. You should also contact CORGI the organization that regulates the industry (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer has been registered to conduct CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a landlord software solution that allows engineers to quickly and easily complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field, without having to keep track of bulky paper pads. They can also set service reminders for their clients, and automatically send them a notification when their next check is due to be carried out.
How long do they last?
The certificate given to landlords who have successfully completed a CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months after the date of the inspection. It is crucial that landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does, the landlord is breaking the law and could be punished with a fine.
Ofttimes, there are a variety of reasons why landlords might not have their CP12 renewed. One of the most common reasons is that they do not remember. This isn't a good excuse, and the best option in this scenario is to politely remind them that their gas safety checks are due and then plan the check right away.
It is important to note that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who doesn't renew their certificate 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 losing their gas supply off if the problem isn't resolved 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. It is an official organization and you'll be able see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they are employed by. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required to book 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 of their status.
Where can I get one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer registered on the Gas Safe Register. This assures that the engineer is fully qualified to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will notify the landlord if the appliance fails the test and will recommend that any necessary repairs be made prior to issuance of an updated certificate. The landlord is required to provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the inspection taking place.
Continuing to have a valid CP12 poses significant health and safety risks for tenants and puts the landlord in breach of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is odorless and colourless, but they may also cause explosions and fires. Blockage of flues can also stop harmful gases from being safely emitted from the premises and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help reduce these risks because any issues can be addressed promptly. According to the instructions or manuals of the manufacturer landlords are also accountable to perform annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. The landlord must also keep a log of all maintenance work.
Fortunately, with the help of free landlord software such as BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is a lot easier for landlords. It's as simple as setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants get an authentic CP12 in the required timeframe. This will help avoid penalties and other issues that may arise from failing to comply with the law.