Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion or all of their property must obtain a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe, and comply with the laws.
Landlords must also keep records of any inspections. This will come in handy should they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to anyone renting out the property that has gas piping at least once a year. The landlord must present the certificates at the start of a new lease to tenants and keep copies for 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 cover.
To carry out an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate engineers require access to the premises, full details of all appliances in need of being checked, and the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, in addition to access to the manufacturer's specifications. The engineers must be able of confirming that every appliance is functioning correctly and that all pipes and fittings are in good working order and safely secured.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issues cannot be fixed then another 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 so that you do not run into any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can search online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords should select an engineer with affordable prices and a reliable service to make sure their tenants are protected from dangerous gas-related issues.
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 element of a landlord's responsibilities 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 fines and imprisonment.
The CP12 document is a complete list of all gas appliances in the property and provides specific details about every 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 the inspection was completed. Landlords are required to provide an original copy of CP12 to each tenant within 28 days following their annual inspection or before a tenant moves in.
When choosing a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection, it is important to choose a reputable professional with the experience and reputation needed to provide a thorough inspection. Checking the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable method of confirming their credentials. The card will include their registration number and what kind of work they're qualified to do. It's also an excellent idea to look up reviews and suggestions from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain an active CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties including fines and imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 could result in the cancellation of landlords' insurance policies which could leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related accident. The most effective strategy for protecting yourself from these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s current and up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a licensed Gas Safe engineer.
How can the original source get one?
A CP12 is a document that certifies that gas appliances in the property were inspected for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each property they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains specifics of the inspection, including the degree to which each appliance was inspected, as well as any work required to bring them up-to-standard. This ensures that tenants know what they can expect when renting the property, and also helps to avoid costly costs for landlords if there is a problem.
A landlord is required to provide a new tenant with the 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 the date it expires or they could be subject to being fined or even a criminal prosecution.
Getting an CP12 isn't just a legal requirement but it's also important for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 will identify any potential problems in the gas supply to your rental property or appliances, so that they can be addressed before they turn into bigger issues.
If you're interested in getting 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, or on their service vans. It's also worth checking with the authority of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is fully registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily on the job without having to keep track of bulky pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that notify their customers when the next check is due.
How long do they last? for?
When a landlord completes an CP12 and passes it, the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. This is the reason it is essential for landlords to book regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate doesn't run out. If it does, the landlord is breaking the law and could be subject to a fine.
Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords might not be able to have their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they just forget. This is not a valid excuse, and the best thing to do in this situation is to politely remind them that the gas safety check is due and then make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible.
A CP12 does not have a grace period. Any landlord who fails to renew their certificate after the expiry date is in violation of the law. If the issue isn't addressed immediately, they could be unable to rent their property and may even have their gas supply cut.
All engineers who have been 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. It is an official organization and you will be able to see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they work for. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when booking an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are ever unsure of their status.
Where can I buy one?
Only engineers who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This ensures that the engineer is fully competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. If appliances fail the inspection the engineer will notify the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before the new certificate is issued. 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.
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. Not only can faulty appliances generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is colourless and odourless, but they can also trigger explosions and fires. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases being safely expelled from the premises which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help minimize the risks, because any issues can be addressed promptly. In accordance with the instructions or manuals issued by the manufacturer landlords are also accountable to perform annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties. Landlords are also required to keep a record of every maintenance work.
With the help of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is a lot easier for landlords. Whether this is by setting an appointment to issue a 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 timeframe required. This helps avoid the hassles and fines that can come from not complying with the law.