Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a piece of or their entire property must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe, and in compliance with the law.
Landlords should also keep a record for every inspection. This is important if the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue an cp12 gas safety certificate to anyone renting out an apartment with gas pipes at least once per year. The landlord must present the certificates at the beginning of a new lease to tenants and keep copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who do not comply with the law put their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and may face legal actions. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance cover.
In order to conduct an inspection and issue the gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the property and the full information of all appliances that need inspection, as well as the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, along with access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers must also be able confirm that every appliance is operating correctly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment is in good condition.
Any problems found during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12, and solutions will be suggested. If the problem is not fixed, a second inspection will be required and a new certificate will be issued once the issue is fixed. The date when the next inspection is due to be included on the CP12 and should be scheduled quickly to prevent any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords are able to look on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. how long does a gas safety certificate last can search online for an engineer certified by Gas Safe in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a registered Gas Safe engineer after a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues and fittings within a property. This certificate is an essential part of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law and helps to ensure that tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who do not adhere to the law can be punished severely, including penalties like fines and imprisonment.
The CP12 is a comprehensive document that includes all the gas appliances in the home as well as the specific details of each inspection and any issues discovered. The document also lists the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test and their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection or before the tenant is moved in.
When choosing the Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection it is essential to select a qualified professional who has the experience and credibility required to conduct an extensive inspection. The best method to confirm the credentials of an engineer is to verify their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number and the type of work they are qualified to perform. It's also an excellent idea to review and get recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who do not have an active CP12 face serious legal penalties including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 can lead to the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords which could leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. The most effective strategy for protecting yourself from these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s current and up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a certified Gas Safe engineer.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is an official document that demonstrates that the gas appliances in a property have been properly checked for safety. It is legal for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each building they rent out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection including whether or not each appliance was inspected, as well as any work needed to bring them up-to-standard. This lets tenants know what to expect when renting out the property, and also can help avoid unexpected costs for the landlord if there is a problem.
A landlord must provide a new tenant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection and keep records for their own use. Landlords must also ensure to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires in the event that they fail to do so could leave them open to a penalty fine or even criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain a CP12 certificate isn't just a legal requirement however, it is essential for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 certificate will reveal any issues that could arise in the gas supply or appliances in your rental properties, which can be fixed before they turn into bigger problems.
If you're looking to get a CP12 You can locate an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms as well as on their service vehicles. It is also advisable to check with CORGI the organization that regulates the industry (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is licensed to perform CP12 inspections.
Another option is to use a simple landlord software like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and effortlessly in the field without needing to keep track of bulky pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that send notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long do they last? for?
The certificate given to landlords who have successfully completed the CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificates do not expire. If it does not, the landlord could be penalized for violating the law.
There are a variety of reasons why landlords not be able to have their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent is that they just forget. This is not an excuse. The best option is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then plan it as soon as possible.
It is also worth noting that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who does not renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the issue isn't addressed immediately, they could be unable to rent out their home and even lose their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers that are authorized to conduct CP12 inspections and issues gas safety certificates. It is an official organization and you'll be able to see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they work for. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when you book an inspection. This registration number is unique and can be used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I purchase one?
Only what is a landlord gas safety certificate registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This assures that the engineer is competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will inform the landlord that the appliance has failed the test and will recommend that any repairs needed be made before issuing the new certificate. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days after the inspection.
Failure to have a valid CP12 can pose serious risk to the health and safety of tenants, as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Not only do faulty appliances generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is colorless and odourless but they may also cause fires and explosions. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases being safely expelled out of the property which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check can help minimize the risks, as any issues that need to be addressed can be dealt with promptly. In accordance with the instructions or manuals provided by the manufacturer landlords are also accountable for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipes within their rental properties. The landlords must also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.
Fortunately, with the help of free landlord software such as BOXT, keeping track of these important tasks is much easier for landlords. If this is done by setting an appointment 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 required timeframe. In the end, this will help avoid the fines and disruption caused by not complying with the law.