Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a part or all of their property has to be issued a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures all appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords should also keep records for all inspections. This can be useful in the event that they decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who leases an apartment that has gas piping must be legally required to have it examined and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. Landlords must present the certificates at the start of a new lease to tenants and retain copies for as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who do not adhere to the law place their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and could be subject to legal actions. gas safety certificate grace period risk losing the landlord insurance cover.
To conduct an inspection and issue the gas safety certificate, engineers require access to the premises, full details of all appliances that require being checked, and the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, along with access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must be able of confirming that each appliance is operating correctly and that all pipework and fittings are in good working order and securely secured.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and the suggested remedies. If the issue cannot be fixed then another inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued when the issue is resolved. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is essential to plan this appointment quickly so that you do not run into any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can complete an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords are able to search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can search online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough examination of gas appliances, fittings and flues in a property. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's obligations under UK law, and helps ensure that all tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who don't follow the law are subject to severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 is a complete document that contains all the property's gas appliances, along with specific details for each inspection, as well as any issues identified. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test, their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. The landlord must provide each tenant with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection or before the tenant moves in.
When selecting an Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection, it is important to select a qualified professional with the expertise and reputation required to conduct an accurate examination. The best way to verify an engineer's credentials is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number and the type of work they're qualified to carry out. You can also review and get recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, including penalties like fines or even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas-related incident. To avoid these risks the best way to protect yourself is to schedule annual inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is an official document that confirms that the gas appliances inside the property were inspected for safety. It is legal for landlords to get and maintain one for each building they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, including whether each appliance passed or failed, and any work needed to bring them up to standards. This helps tenants understand what to expect when renting out a property and it helps prevent unexpected expenses for the landlord in the event that an issue arises.
A landlord is required to provide a new tenant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection and keep records for their personal use. Landlords are also required to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or else they could be subject to a fine or criminal prosecution.
Getting the CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but is also essential for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will highlight any potential issues with the gas supply and appliances in your rental property and can be rectified before they turn into bigger problems.
You can search for an engineer registered online if you are searching for a CP12. 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 the governing body of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is licensed to conduct CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a landlord software solution that lets engineers quickly and easily complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates in the field without the need to keep the track of large paper pads. They can also set reminders for service for their clients, which will automatically send them a notification when their next check is scheduled to be completed.
How long are they expected to last?
If a landlord has completed a CP12 and passes it the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of inspection. It is crucial that landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to ensure that their certificate does not expire. If it does it, the landlord is breaking the law and could be punished with a fine.
There are a variety of reasons why landlords may not receive their CP12 renewed. One of the most common reasons is that they do not remember. This is not a good excuse, and the best option in this situation is to politely remind them that their gas safety check is due and then make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible.
It is also worth noting that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who fails to have their certificate renewed after the expiry date will be in violation of the law. This could mean they won't be able to rent out their property and could be at risk of being cut off from gas off if the issue isn't addressed immediately.
Gas Safe Register, which is run by the UK Health and Safety Executive is a register of all engineers who are authorised to conduct CP12 inspections and issuing gas safety certificates. The logo of this official organization on the uniforms and vans of their firms. They will also have an Gas Safe registration number which they will need to provide when they 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?
A CP12 can only be issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures the engineer is fully qualified for a thorough inspection. If an appliance fails the check, the engineer will warn the landlord and suggest any needed repairs before the new certificate is issued. Landlords are required to provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
Invalid CP12 could pose significant risk to the health and safety of tenants, as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colourless, but they may also cause explosions and fires. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases being safely expelled from the building and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks can reduce the risk of these accidents because any problems can be dealt with promptly. According to the instructions or manuals issued by the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. Landlords should also keep records of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the aid of software that is free for landlords like BOXT it is much easier to keep track of these important tasks. This can be done by setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure that their tenants receive an authentic CP12 in the required timeframe. This will prevent penalties and other issues that may arise from failing to comply with the law.