Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who rents out part or all of their property must be issued an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe, and comply with the law.
Landlords should also keep a record for all inspections. This will be useful in the event that the landlord decides 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 a Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. Landlords must present the certificates at the beginning of a new lease to tenants and keep copies for as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who don't adhere to the law place their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and may face legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance coverage.
To carry out an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers require access to the building as well as the complete details of all appliances that require inspection, as well as the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, along with access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers must also be able verify that each appliance functions correctly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment is in good condition.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection would be noted on the CP12 and suggested solutions. If the faults are not addressed, a second inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued after the problem is resolved. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is essential to schedule this inspection as soon as possible in order to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorized to conduct an assessment and issue an official gas safety certificate. Landlords can check online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can look online for an engineer who is Gas Safe in their area.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a document issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues within a building. This certificate is a vital part of the landlord's duties under UK law. It helps to ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords that do not follow the law may face severe penalties including fines and prison.
The CP12 is a complete document that includes all the gas appliances in the home as well as the specific details of every inspection and any issues identified. The document also contains the name of a Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date on which the inspection was completed. Landlords must provide 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 a CP12 examination. This professional should have the knowledge and expertise to provide a thorough inspection. Checking the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best way to verify their credentials. This card includes their registration number, as well as the types of work they are competent to do. It is also an excellent idea to review and get recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords that fail to maintain a valid CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties, including fines and even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This leaves landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas related incident. The best way to protecting yourself from the risk is to keep all of your properties' CP12s up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a certified Gas Safe engineer.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is an official document that demonstrates that the gas appliances in a property have been properly checked for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and have one for each property they lease to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, including whether each appliance was passed or failed, as well as any work required to bring them up to standards. This ensures that tenants know what they can expect when renting a property and it can help avoid unexpected expenses for the landlord in the event that there is a problem.
A landlord is required to provide an applicant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the date of the inspection, as well as keeping records for their personal use. Landlords are also required to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or they could be liable to an infraction or a criminal charge.
Achieving an CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but is also essential for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 will reveal any potential issues with your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so they can be dealt with before they become bigger problems.
If you're in the market for a CP12 then you can locate an engineer who's registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vehicles. You should also contact CORGI, the governing body (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and effortlessly in the field without needing to keep track of large 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 are they good for?
When a landlord completes a CP12 and is able to pass it, the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. This is why it's important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could be punished with a fine.
There are a variety of reasons landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most common is that they forget. This is not a reason to excuse. The most effective way to handle this is to gently remind them that their gas safety inspection is due and schedule it immediately.
It is also worth noting that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who does not renew their certificate prior to the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the issue isn't addressed immediately, they could be unable to rent their property and may even be unable to access their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is run by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers who are authorised to conduct CP12 inspections and issues gas safety certificates . This is an official organisation and you'll be able to see their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they work for. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when booking an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to search their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure about their status.
Where can I buy one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This guarantees that the engineer is qualified to conduct a thorough inspection. If appliances fail the inspection, the engineer will warn the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before the new certificate is issued. The landlord is required to provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the inspection taking place.
A valid CP12 is essential for the health and safety of tenants. It also puts the landlord in violation of the law. Not only do faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide that is colourless and odourless, but they also can cause explosions and fires. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases from being safely emitted out of the property, increasing carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help reduce these risks because any issues can be addressed promptly. In accordance with the directions or manuals of the manufacturer landlords are also responsible to perform annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties. The landlord must also keep a record of every maintenance work.
Fortunately, with the aid of free landlord software such as BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is a lot easier for landlords. It doesn't matter if it's setting an appointment 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 stipulated timeframe. Ultimately, this helps to avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not observing the law.