Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a part or all of their property has to get an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This guarantees that the appliances are safe and complies with the law.
Landlords should also keep a record for all inspections. This will come in handy in the event that they decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone renting out a property that has gas piping is legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. Landlords must present the certificates at the beginning of a new tenancy to tenants and keep copies as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who do not comply with the law are placing their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and could face potential legal actions. They also run the risk of losing their insurance coverage for landlords.
Engineers require access to the property in order for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They also must know the model and make of each appliance as well as access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers must also ensure that every appliance functions correctly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment are in good working order.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection would be recorded on the CP12 and remedies suggested. If the problem is not corrected, a subsequent inspection is required and a new certification will be issued when the issue is fixed. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is essential to schedule this inspection as soon as possible to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to complete an assessment and issue a gas safety certificate. Landlords can search online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can check online for an engineer who is Gas Safe in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a document issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection thorough of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances in a home. This certificate is an essential element of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law and helps ensure that tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who don't follow the law are subject to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The CP12 is a complete document that contains all the property's gas appliances, along with specific details for every inspection and any issues discovered. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date on which the inspection was completed. Landlords must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before the tenant moves in.
It is crucial to choose an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. The professional must have the expertise and experience to provide a thorough inspection. The most reliable method of confirming an engineer's credentials is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which includes their registration number and the type of work they are able to carry out. It's also an excellent idea to look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of severe legal penalties, which could include fines and even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This puts landlords at risk financially in the event of a gas-related incident. The most effective strategy for avoiding these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a qualified Gas Safe engineer.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is a legal document that confirms that the gas appliances within a property have been properly tested for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and have one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection including whether or not each appliance passed, and any work needed to bring them up to date. This lets tenants know exactly what they are getting from a rental property, and can help stop landlords from incurring unanticipated expenses if there's any issue.
A landlord must provide a new tenant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the date of the inspection, as well as keeping records for their personal use. Landlords should also be sure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date because failing to do this could expose them to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
A CP12 certificate isn't just a legal requirement, but it is also crucial for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 certificate will highlight any issues that could arise in the gas supply or appliances in your rental properties, which can be fixed before they become bigger issues.
You can search for an engineer who is registered on the internet if you're looking for an CP12. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms as well as on their service vehicles. It is also advisable to check with the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is fully registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a landlord software solution that lets engineers quickly and easily complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field, without having to keep an eye on bulky paper pads. They can also set service reminders for their clients, and automatically notify them when their next inspection is due to be completed.
How long do they last?
If a landlord is able to complete a CP12 and is able to pass it the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of inspection. This is why it's important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate does not run out. If it does not, the landlord could be fined for breaking the law.
Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords not be able to have their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent is that they forget. This is not a good excuse and the best option in this scenario is to gently remind them that the gas safety check is due and schedule the check immediately.
A CP12 is not a grace period. Any landlord who fails renew their certificate after the expiry date is in breach of the law. If the problem is not fixed immediately, they may 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 is a register of all engineers who have been authorised to conduct CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. This is an official body and you'll be able to see their logo on their uniforms and 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 to them and can be used to search their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are ever unsure of their status.
Where do I get one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures that the engineer is competent to conduct an extensive inspection of gas appliances and flues. If appliances fail the inspection the engineer will inform the landlord and suggest any needed repairs before a new certificate is issued. The landlord must give an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the date that the inspection took place.
A valid CP12 is vital for the safety and health of tenants. It also puts the landlord in violation of the law. Incorrect appliances can release colourless and odourless carbon monoxide. They may also trigger explosions and fires. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases being safely expelled from the building which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help minimize the risks, as any problems can be dealt with promptly. In accordance with the instructions or manuals issued by the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for the annual maintenance of gas appliances and pipes within their rental properties. Landlords must also keep a record of all maintenance work.
Thankfully, with the aid of landlord free software like BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is a lot easier for landlords. It doesn't matter if it's setting a reminder to issue a CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants receive an up to date CP12 within the stipulated timeframe. This will prevent fines and other problems that could arise from failure to follow the law.