Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone renting out a part of their property must have a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that the appliances are safe and complies with the law.
Landlords should also keep a record for every inspection. This is useful if they ever decide 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. Landlords need to 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 comply with the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and are facing potential legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance.
Engineers require access to a property for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They must also be aware of the model and brand of each appliance, and have access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must be able to verify that each appliance is operating correctly and that all pipework and fittings are in good condition and properly secured.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection would be recorded on the CP12 and suggested solutions. If the issues are not addressed, a second inspection is required, and a new certification will be issued when the issue is fixed. The date that the next inspection is scheduled will be noted on the CP12 and should be scheduled promptly to prevent any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to complete an assessment and issue an official gas safety certificate. Landlords can search online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can search online for an engineer certified by Gas Safe in their area.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a registered Gas Safe engineer after a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings in a property. This certificate is a vital part of the landlord's obligations under UK law. It is a way to ensure that tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords that do not comply with the law could be punished severely, including fines and even prison.
The CP12 is a detailed document that contains all the gas appliances that are in the property and the specific information about each inspection and any issues identified. The document also lists the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test and their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before a new tenant is moved in.
It is crucial to choose a Gas Safe registered professional to conduct an CP12 exam. The person you choose should have the experience and reputation to conduct a thorough test. The most reliable method of confirming the credentials of an engineer is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which includes their registration number and the types of work they are able to carry out. It's also an excellent idea to read reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who do not have an active CP12 are subject to serious legal penalties including fines and even imprisonment. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 could lead to the invalidation of landlords' insurance policies, leaving them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related accident. The most effective strategy for 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 get one?
A CP12 is a valid document that demonstrates that the gas appliances within a property have been properly checked for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for every property they lease to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, including if each appliance was passed or failed, and any work required to bring them to a standard. This allows tenants to know what they are getting from a rental property, and also helps prevent landlords from incurring unexpected costs in the event of a problem.
A landlord must provide an applicant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days after the date of the inspection, as well as keeping records for their personal use. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to its expiration, or they could face being fined or even a criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain a CP12 certificate isn't just a legal requirement however, it's also crucial for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 will detect any potential problems in your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so they can be dealt with before they turn into bigger issues.
You can locate an engineer who is registered online if you are looking for a CP12. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniform or on their service vans. It's also worth contacting the governing body of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a software-based landlord solution that lets engineers quickly and efficiently complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field without the need to keep track of bulky paper pads. They can also set reminders for service for their clients, which will automatically send them a notification when their next inspection is scheduled to be completed.
How long are they good for?
If a landlord has completed an 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 the reason it is vital for landlords to schedule regular CP12 checks and to ensure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does not the landlord is fined for breaking the law.
There are many reasons landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most frequent is that they forget. This is not an excuse. The best option is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then schedule it immediately.
A CP12 does not have a grace period. If a landlord fails to renew their certificate before the expiry date is in violation of the law. If the issue isn't resolved immediately, they could be unable to rent their property or even have their gas supply cut.
Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers who have been authorised to conduct CP12 inspections and issues gas safety certificates. You will see the logo of the official organization on the uniforms and vans of their businesses. 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 details on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure about their status.
Where can I get one?
Only engineers who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This assures that the engineer is qualified to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will notify the landlord if the appliance fails the test and 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 following the inspection.
Inability to obtain a valid CP12 could pose significant risk to the health and safety of tenants, as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They also can cause fires and explosions. In addition blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from being safely emitted from the building, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to minimize the risks, as any issues that need to be addressed will be addressed quickly. In accordance with the instructions or manuals of the manufacturer landlords are also accountable for the annual maintenance of gas appliances and pipes within their rental properties. gas safe certificate check should also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the help of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these important tasks is much easier for landlords. Whether it's by setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants have an official CP12 in the required timeframe. This helps avoid the fines and disruption that could result from not complying with the law.