Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion of their property or the entire one must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that the appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords must also keep records of all inspections. This will come in handy if they ever decide to sell their property.
do i need a gas safety certificate registered engineers must inspect and issue the gas safety cp12 certification to any person renting out a property with gas piping at least once a year. The landlord must present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy to tenants and keep copies for as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who do not follow the law put their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and may be liable to legal actions. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance cover.
To conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers need access to the premises as well as the complete details of all appliances that require being checked, and the manufacturer and model information for each appliance, in addition to access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers must also be able verify that each appliance functions correctly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment are in good condition.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the faults are not addressed, a second inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued once the problem is resolved. The CP12 will include the date of the next inspection. It is crucial to schedule this inspection as soon as possible to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can complete an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can search online for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords should pick an engineer who offers competitive prices and an efficient service to ensure their tenants are safe from potentially dangerous gas-related issues.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer after a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings in the building. This certificate is an essential element of the landlord's responsibilities under UK law. It is a way 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 comprehensive list of all gas appliances in the property as well as specific information about each inspection, and any issues that were identified. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test and their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords are required to give an original copy of CP12 to all tenants within 28 days of their annual inspection or prior to the tenant moving into.
It is crucial to choose a Gas Safe registered professional to conduct an CP12 exam. The person you choose should have the knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough examination. The best method to confirm an engineer's credentials is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which contains their registration number and the kinds of work they are able to do. It's also recommended to look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who neglect to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of severe legal penalties, such as fines and even imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 can lead to the cancellation of insurance policies for landlords which could leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related accident. The most effective strategy for avoiding these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s current and up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a certified Gas Safe engineer.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is an official document that proves that gas appliances in the property have been checked for safety. It is legally required for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each property they rent out to tenants. A CP12 contains the specifics of the inspection, including the degree to which each appliance passed, and any work needed to bring them up-to-standard. This lets tenants know what they can expect when renting the property, and also helps prevent unexpected costs for landlords if an issue arises.
A landlord is required to provide a new tenant with an original copy of their CP12 within 28 days of 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 be liable to a fine or criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain a CP12 certificate isn't just legal, but it is also essential for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 will identify any potential problems in the gas supply of your rental property or appliances, so that they can be dealt with before they turn into bigger issues.
You can locate an engineer registered online if you are looking for a CP12. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or on their service vans. It's also worth contacting the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is fully authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a software for landlords solution that lets engineers quickly and efficiently complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field without keeping track of bulky paper pads. They can also set service reminders for their clients, which will automatically notify them when their next inspection is scheduled to be completed.
How long do they last?
The certificate given to a landlord who successfully completes the CP12 is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore essential that landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and ensure that their certificates do not expire. If it does not, the landlord could be penalized for violating the law.
Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords might fail to receive their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent is that they simply forget. This is not a reason to excuse. The best option is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then schedule it immediately.
It is important to note that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who fails to renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. If the problem is not fixed immediately, they may be unable to rent out their property or even be unable to access their gas supply.
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. 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 are employed by. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required to book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find 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 guarantees that the engineer is fully competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. If an appliance fails the check, the engineer will warn the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before a new certificate is issued. The landlord must give a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the inspection taking place.
Failure to have a valid CP12 poses significant risk to the health and safety of tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Faulty appliances can produce inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They also can cause fires and explosions. Additionally blocked flues can stop harmful gases from being safely emitted from the property, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help reduce the risk of these accidents because any issues can be addressed promptly. The landlord is also accountable for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties, in line to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. Landlords must also keep a record of all maintenance work.
With the aid of landlord free software such as BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is a lot easier for landlords. Whether this is by setting a reminder to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants receive an accurate and up-to date CP12 within the stipulated timeframe. This will help avoid penalties and other issues that can arise from failing to adhere to the law.