Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion or all of their property has to get a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords also need to keep records of any inspections. This will be useful should the landlord decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue the gas safety cp12 certification to anyone who leases the property that has gas piping at least once a year. Landlords need to present the certificates at the beginning of a new tenancy to tenants and keep copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who do not adhere to the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and face potential legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance cover.
To conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the building as well as the complete details of all appliances that require checking and the make and model details for each appliance, along with access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must be able of confirming that every appliance is functioning correctly and that all pipes and fittings are in good order and securely secured.
Any problems found during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12, and solutions will be suggested. If the problem is not corrected, a subsequent inspection will be required and a new certificate will be issued after the problem is resolved. The date that the next inspection is due to be recorded on the CP12 and should be scheduled quickly to prevent any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to complete an assessment and issue a gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords should choose an engineer that offers competitive rates and a reliable service to ensure their tenants are safe from potentially dangerous gas-related issues.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances in a home. This certificate is an essential part of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law and helps to ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not comply with the law could be punished severely, including fines and prison.
The CP12 document is a complete listing of all gas appliances located in the building as well as specific details about each inspection and any issues that were found. The document also includes the name of Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date that the inspection was completed. Landlords are required to give an original copy of CP12 to all tenants within 28 days after their annual inspection, or prior to the tenant moving in.
When choosing the Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection, it is important to select a qualified professional with the experience and credibility required to conduct an accurate inspection. Checking the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best method of confirming their credentials. The card will include their registration number as well as what types of work they're qualified to do. It is also a good idea to look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of severe legal penalties, which could include fines and even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas-related incident. To minimize the risk the best way to protect yourself is to schedule regular inspections by a 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 proves that the gas appliances inside the property were inspected for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for every building they rent to tenants. A CP12 provides details about the inspection, including whether each appliance was passed or failed, as well as any work needed to bring them to a standard. This lets tenants know what they can expect when renting an apartment or house, and helps to avoid costly costs for landlords if an issue arises.
A landlord is required to provide the new tenant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the date of the inspection and also keep records for their own use. Landlords must also ensure to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires, as failure to do this could expose them to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
Achieving the CP12 isn't just a legal obligation but it's also crucial for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 will identify any potential problems in your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so that they can be dealt with before they become bigger problems.
If you're in the market for a CP12 You can locate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognize 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 authority of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a simple landlord software like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and conveniently in the field without needing to keep track of heavy pads of paper. They can also set up service reminders to 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 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and ensure that their certificates do not expire. If it does not the landlord will be fined for breaking the law.
There are a variety of reasons why landlords may fail to have their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent is that they just forget. This isn't an excuse. The best thing to do is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then plan it as soon as possible.
It is important to note that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who doesn't have their certificate renewed after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. This could mean that they won't be able to let their property and may even be at risk of losing their gas supply off if the problem isn't fixed straight away.
All engineers who are authorised 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. The logo of this official organisation on the uniforms and vans of their companies. 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 ever unsure of their status.
Where can I purchase one?
Only click to read 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 will recommend that any repairs required be completed prior to issuing an updated certificate. Landlords are required to provide tenants with a copy the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days following the inspection.
Failure to have a valid CP12 could pose significant health and safety risks for tenants and puts the landlord in violation of the law. Faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide that is colorless and smellless. They may also trigger fires and explosions. Blockage of flues can also stop harmful gases from being safely evacuated from the premises and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks can reduce these risks because any issues can be resolved quickly. In accordance with the directions or manuals issued by the manufacturer, landlords are also responsible for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties. Landlords should also keep records of the maintenance work they carry out.
Fortunately, with gas certificate of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is a lot easier for landlords. It's as simple as setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure their tenants have a valid CP12 within the timeframe required. In the end, this will help avoid the hassles and fines caused by not following the law.