Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion or all of their property must get an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures all appliances are safe, and comply with the laws.
Landlords should also keep a record for every inspection. This can be useful if they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who rents out a property that has gas piping must be legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a 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 remains owned by them.
Landlords who fail to comply with the law put their tenants in danger of poisoning by carbon monoxide and may be liable to legal actions. They also risk losing the insurance protection for landlords.
Engineers need access to a property for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They also need to know the model and make of each appliance and access to the manufacturer specifications. The engineers must be able to verify that each appliance is functioning properly and that all pipes and fittings are in good working order and properly secured.
Any problems identified during the inspection would be noted on the CP12 and remedies suggested. If the issues are not fixed, a second inspection will be required and a new certificate will be issued once the problem is resolved. The date that the next inspection is scheduled will be included on the CP12 and should be scheduled promptly to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can complete an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can search online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can look online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues in a home. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's duties under UK law. It is a way to ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who don't comply with the law could face severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
The CP12 is a complete document that contains all the gas appliances in the home, along with specific details for each inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also includes the name of a Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date that the inspection was conducted. Landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to each tenant within 28 days after their annual inspection, or prior to the tenant moving in.
It is essential to select an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. This professional should have the expertise and experience to provide a thorough inspection. Examining the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best method of confirming their credentials. This card includes their registration number and the types of work they are competent to do. You can also read reviews and recommendations by other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties including fines and even imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 could lead to the invalidation of landlords' insurance policies, leaving them financially vulnerable in the case of a gas-related event. To avoid these risks the best option is to schedule regular 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 demonstrates that the gas appliances within a property have been properly checked for safety. It is legal for landlords to get and maintain one for each building they rent out to tenants. A CP12 contains the details of the inspection, such as whether or not each appliance was inspected, as well as any work needed to bring them up to date. This lets tenants know exactly what they can expect from a rental property, and helps to stop landlords from incurring unanticipated costs if there is any issue.
A landlord must give a copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days after the inspection. They must also keep records for their own reference. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to its expiration or else they could face being fined or even a criminal prosecution.
Achieving the CP12 isn't just a legal requirement but it's also crucial for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will reveal any potential issues in the gas supply or appliances in your rental property that can be addressed before they turn into bigger issues.
If you're looking to get 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 uniforms or on their service vehicles. It's also worth checking with the authority of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is fully authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution such as Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily in the field, without having to keep track of bulky pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that send out notifications to their clients when the next check is due.
How long are they expected to last?
If a landlord has completed an CP12 and passes it the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and ensure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does, the landlord is breaking the law and could be subject to a fine.
There are a variety of reasons why landlords fail to have their CP12 renewed. One of the most common reasons is that they do not remember. This isn't an excuse. The best option is to gently remind them that their gas safety inspection is due, and then make it a point to schedule it right away.
A CP12 does not have a grace period. Any landlord who fails to renew their certificate prior to the expiry date is in breach of the law. If the issue is not resolved 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 who are authorised for CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates . This is an official body and you will be able to spot their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they are employed by. 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 of their status.
Where can I get one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. 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 suggest that any repairs required be made before issuing a new certificate. The landlord is required to provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the time that the inspection took place.
Failure to have a valid CP12 can pose serious health and safety risks for tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide that is colorless and smellless. They also can cause explosions and fires. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases from being safely evacuated out of the property and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to reduce the risk, since any issues that require to be taken care of can be addressed promptly. The landlord is also accountable for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. The landlords must also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the aid of free software for landlords like BOXT it is much easier to keep track of these vital tasks. It doesn't matter if it's setting a reminder to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants get an accurate and up-to date CP12 within the stipulated timeframe. This will help to avoid penalties and other issues that could arise from failure to follow the law.