Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a piece of their property must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This will ensure that the appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords should also keep records of all inspections. This is useful if they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to anyone who leases a property with gas piping at least once a year. The landlord 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 don't comply with the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and could face possible legal actions. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance coverage.
To carry out an inspection and issue the gas safety certificate, engineers require access to the property and the full information of all appliances that require being checked, and the manufacturer and model information for each appliance, as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must be able of confirming that every appliance is functioning properly and that all fittings and pipework are in good working order and safely secured.
Any problems identified during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and the suggested remedies. If the faults are not fixed, a second inspection will be required and a new certificate will be issued after the problem is resolved. The date on which the next inspection is due will be recorded on the CP12 and should be scheduled in a timely manner to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords are able to search online for a 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 Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues and fittings within the property. This certificate is an essential part of the responsibilities a landlord has under UK law, and helps ensure that all tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who do not follow the law are subject to severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 document contains a complete list of all gas appliances within the building as well as specific details regarding each inspection, and any issues that were discovered. The document also lists the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test as well as 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 prior to the time a new tenant is moved in.
It is essential to select the right Gas Safe registered professional to conduct an CP12 exam. The professional must have the experience and reputation to provide a thorough inspection. The best way to verify an engineer's credentials is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which contains their registration number as well as the types of work they are able to perform. You can also read reviews and recommendations by other landlords.
Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, such as fines and even jail time. In addition, lack of a CP12 could result in the invalidation of landlords' insurance policies and leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related accident. To minimize the risk the best option is to schedule annual inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is an official document that confirms that the gas appliances within a property have been properly examined for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for every property they lease to tenants. A CP12 contains specifics of the inspection, including whether or not each appliance passed, and any work needed to bring them up-to-standard. This ensures that tenants know what they can expect when renting a property and it helps prevent unexpected expenses for the landlord in the event that there is a problem.
A landlord must provide an official copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They should also keep records to use for their own reference. Landlords should also make sure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date, as failure to do so could lead to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
A CP12 certificate is not only legal however, it's also essential for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 will detect any potential issues with the gas supply to your rental property or appliances, so that they can be addressed before they become bigger problems.
You can search for an engineer registered online if you are searching for a CP12. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. It's also worth checking with the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is fully licensed to conduct CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a software for landlords solution that lets engineers quickly and efficiently complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates in the field, without having to keep the track of large paper pads. They can also set up service reminders to send out notifications to their clients when the next check is due.
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 12 months from the date of inspection. This is why it is essential for landlords to book regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate doesn't run out. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could be punished with a fine.
Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords may not be able to have their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent is that they forget. This isn't a good excuse and the best thing to do in this situation is to gently remind them that their gas safety checks are due and then plan the check right away.
A CP12 is not a grace period. Any landlord who fails to renew their certificate prior to the expiry date is in violation of the law. If the issue isn't fixed immediately, they may be unable to rent their property and may even be unable to access their gas supply.
All engineers who are authorized to conduct CP12 inspections and issue gas safety certificates are registered with the Gas Safe Register which operates on behalf of the UK Health and Safety Executive. This is an official organisation and you'll be able to see their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they work for. They will also have a Gas Safe registration number which they need to present when booking an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to look up their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure of their status.
Where can I find one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This guarantees that the engineer is competent to perform an in-depth inspection. The engineer will inform the landlord if the appliance fails the test and will recommend that any necessary repairs be completed prior to issuing the new certificate. The landlord is required to provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the date that the inspection took place.
A valid CP12 is vital to the safety and health of tenants. It also puts the landlord in violation of the law. Not only do faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide that is colourless and odourless, but they may also cause fires and explosions. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases from being safely evacuated from the premises and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to reduce these risks, as any issues that need to be addressed can be dealt with promptly. In accordance with the directions or manuals provided by the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for the annual maintenance of gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. Landlords should also keep records of the maintenance work they carry out.
Thankfully, with the help of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is much easier for landlords. Whether this is by setting an alarm to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants get a valid and up to date CP12 within the required timeframe. This helps avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not observing the law.