Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who rents out part or all of their property must get an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe and that they are in compliance with the laws.
Landlords should also keep a record for all inspections. This is useful if they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone renting out a property that has gas piping should be legally required to have it examined and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. gas safety certificate and boiler service mkgassafety.co.uk must present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy tenants and keep copies as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who fail to adhere to the law put their tenants at risk of dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning and face potential legal action. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance.
Engineers require access to the property in order for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They must also be aware of the model and manufacturer of each appliance, and have access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must also be able to verify that each appliance is functioning properly and that all pipework and fittings are in good order and properly secured.
Any problems found during the inspection will be noted on the CP12, and solutions will be suggested. If the faults are not corrected, a subsequent inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued after the issue is resolved. The CP12 will include the date of the next inspection. It is essential to schedule this quickly in order to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can perform an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can search online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords should pick an engineer with competitive prices and a reliable service to make sure their tenants are protected from deadly 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 and flues in a property. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's obligations under UK law, and helps ensure that tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who don't follow the law are subject to severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
The CP12 document is a complete list of all gas appliances in the property as well as specific details about every inspection and any issues that were found. The document also lists the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test as well as 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 moves into.
It is important to choose an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 exam. The person you choose should have the expertise and experience to provide a thorough inspection. The best way to verify the credentials of an engineer is to verify their Gas Safe ID card, which includes their registration number and the types of work they are qualified to do. It is also a good idea to look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who do not have a valid CP12 face serious legal penalties, including penalties of imprisonment and fines. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 could result in the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords which could leave 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 current and up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a licensed Gas Safe engineer.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is an official document that proves that gas appliances in the property were inspected for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for every property they lease to tenants. A CP12 contains the specifics of the inspection, including whether or not each appliance passed, and any work needed to bring them back up-to-date. This lets tenants know exactly what they are getting from a rental property, and can help keep landlords from having to pay unexpected expenses if there's an issue.
A landlord must give an original copy of the CP12 to a new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They should also keep records for their own reference. Landlords should also make sure to renew their CP12 before it expires in the event that they fail to do so could leave them open to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
Achieving a CP12 isn't just a legal requirement but it's also crucial to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 will reveal any potential problems in the gas supply to your rental property or appliances, so they can be dealt with before they turn into bigger issues.
If you're looking to get a CP12 then you can locate an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vehicles. It is also advisable to check with CORGI, the organization that regulates the industry (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer has been registered to perform CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a landlord software solution that lets engineers quickly and efficiently complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field, without having to keep an eye on bulky paper pads. They can also set up service reminders to send notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long are they good for?
If a landlord is able to complete a CP12 and passes it, the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords book regular CP12 inspections and ensure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does, the landlord is breaking the law and could face a fine.
Ofttimes, there are a variety of reasons why landlords may not receive their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they simply forget. This isn't a good excuse and the best thing to do in this situation is to politely remind them that their gas safety checks are due and plan the check right away.
It is important to note that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who does not renew their certificate prior to the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the issue is not addressed immediately, they could not be able to rent their home and even be unable to access their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is operated by the UK Health and Safety Executive is a register of all engineers who are authorised to perform CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. This is an official organisation 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. 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 search their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure of their status.
Where can I get one?
Only those registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This guarantees that the engineer is competent to perform an in-depth inspection. The engineer will notify the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and recommend that any repairs needed be made prior to issuance of a new certificate. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days following the inspection.
Invalid CP12 poses significant health and safety risks for tenants and puts the landlord in breach of the law. Incorrect appliances can release colourless and odourless carbon monoxide. They also can cause fires and explosions. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases from being safely emitted out of the property and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check can help reduce these risks, as any issues that need to be addressed will be addressed promptly. The landlord is also responsible for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties, in line with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. Landlords are also required to keep a record of every maintenance work.
Thankfully, with the help of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is a lot easier for landlords. It doesn't matter if it's setting a reminder to issue a CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that tenants receive an accurate and up-to date CP12 within the timeframe required. In the end, this will help avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not following the law.