Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion or all of their home must get a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This guarantees that the appliances are safe and complies with the law.
Landlords should also keep records for all inspections. This will be helpful in the event that the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who rents out an apartment that has gas piping is legally required to have it inspected and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. Landlords must provide the certificates to prospective tenants at the beginning of the tenancy and keep copies of any future inspections for as long as they own the property.
Landlords who do not adhere to the law place their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and may face legal action. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance coverage.
To conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate engineers need access to the property as well as the complete details of all appliances that require inspection, as well as the manufacturer and model of each appliance, in addition to access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers must also ensure that every appliance functions 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 solutions will be suggested. If the faults cannot be fixed then a further inspection will be required and a new certificate will be issued after the problem is resolved. The date that the next inspection is scheduled will be recorded on the CP12 and must be scheduled promptly to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorised to complete an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords can search online for an Gas Safe engineer 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 document issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings at a property. This certificate is a vital element of the landlord's responsibilities under UK law. It assists in ensuring that tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords that do not follow the law may be punished severely, including penalties like fines and imprisonment.
The CP12 is a complete document that includes all the gas appliances in the home as well as the specific details of each inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date that the inspection was completed. The landlord must provide each tenant with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or prior to the time a new tenant moves in.
When choosing a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection, it is important to choose a professional who has the experience and reputation required to conduct an extensive inspection. The best way to verify the credentials of an engineer is to verify their Gas Safe ID card, which includes their registration number as well as the types of work they are able to perform. You can also read reviews and recommendations by other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of severe legal penalties, including fines and even jail time. In addition, lack of a CP12 could lead to the invalidation of landlords' insurance policies and leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. To minimize the risk the best option is to schedule annual inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is a valid document that confirms that the gas appliances within the property have been tested for safety. It is legally required for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each property they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, including whether each appliance passed or failed, as well as any work needed to bring them up to standard. This lets tenants know exactly what they can expect from renting a property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected expenses if there's a problem.
A landlord must provide an applicant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection and also keep records for their own use. Landlords must also ensure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date in the event that they fail to do this could expose them to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain an CP12 isn't just a legal requirement but it's also crucial to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will reveal any issues that could arise regarding the gas supply and appliances in your rental properties that can be addressed before they grow into larger problems.
If you're interested in getting a CP12 You can locate an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vehicles. You should also contact CORGI the authority (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer has been registered to conduct CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution such as Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and effortlessly in the field without needing to keep track of heavy pads of paper. They can also set up service reminders to send out notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long will they last?
If a landlord is able to complete an CP12 and passes it, the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords book regular CP12 inspections and to ensure that their certificates do not expire. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could be subject to a fine.
Ofttimes, there are a variety of reasons why landlords may not get their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent reasons is that they do not remember. This isn't an excuse. The best option is to gently remind them that their gas safety inspection is due, and then schedule it immediately.
It is important to note that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who does not renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. If the issue is not fixed immediately, they may be unable to rent out their home and even be unable to access their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive is a register of all engineers who are authorised to conduct CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. This is an official organisation and you'll be able to spot their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they are employed by. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when you book an inspection. This number is unique and is used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I get one?
Only gas certificate who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This guarantees that the engineer is qualified to conduct an extensive inspection. If an appliance fails to pass the test the engineer will notify the landlord and suggest any needed repairs before the new certificate is issued. Landlords are required to provide tenants with a copy the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days after the inspection.
A valid CP12 is vital to the health and safety of tenants. It also places the landlord in breach of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is colorless and odourless but they may also cause explosions and fires. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases from being safely emitted from the building which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help reduce these risks, as any issues that need to be taken care of can be addressed promptly. In accordance with the directions or manuals issued by the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for the annual maintenance of gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. The landlord should also keep a record of the maintenance work carried out.
Fortunately, with the aid of landlord free software like BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is a lot easier for landlords. If this is done by setting a reminder to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants get a valid and up to date CP12 within the timeframe required. This helps avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not following the law.