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 ensures that the appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords must also keep the records of all inspections. This can be useful should they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue an cp12 gas safety certificate to anyone renting out a property with gas piping at least once a year. Landlords must provide the certificates to tenants at the beginning of a tenancy. They must also keep copies of any subsequent inspections for the duration of their ownership of the property.
Landlords who do not adhere to the law place their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and may face legal action. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance cover.
In order to conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers need access to the building and the full information of all appliances that need being checked, and the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, as well as access to the manufacturer's specifications. Gas safety certificate must be able of confirming that each appliance is operating properly and that all pipework and fittings are in good condition and safely secured.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issues are not corrected, a subsequent inspection is required and a new certification will be issued once the issue is resolved. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is important to schedule this inspection as soon as possible so that you do not run into any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorized to conduct an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords can search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can search online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection thorough of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings within a building. This certificate is an essential element of the responsibilities a landlord has under UK law, and helps ensure that all tenants are living in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who don't comply with the law could face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The CP12 is a complete document that includes all the gas appliances that are in the property as well as the specific details for each inspection, as well as 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 that the inspection was completed. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection or before a new tenant moves in.
When choosing the Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection it is essential to choose a professional with the experience and credibility required to conduct an extensive examination. Verifying the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best way to verify their credentials. The card contains their registration number, as well as the types of work they are competent to perform. It is also an excellent idea to read reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, which could include fines and even jail time. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 could lead to 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 all your properties have CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is a legal document that demonstrates that the gas appliances in the property have been tested for safety. It is legal for landlords to get and maintain one for each building they lease out to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, including if each appliance passed or failed, and the work required to bring them up to standard. This ensures that tenants know what they can expect when renting the property, and also can help avoid unexpected expenses for the landlord in the event that there is a problem.
A landlord must provide an applicant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection and also keep records for their personal use. Landlords should also make sure to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires because failing to do so could lead to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
Achieving an CP12 isn't just a legal obligation but is also essential to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will identify any potential problems with the gas supply and appliances in your rental property that can be addressed before they become bigger issues.
If you're in the market for a CP12, you can find 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 vehicles. It's also worth checking with the authority of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is fully licensed to conduct CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a software-based landlord solution that allows engineers to quickly and easily complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates in the field, without having to keep the track of large paper pads. They can also set reminders for service for their clients, which will automatically send them a notification when their next inspection is scheduled to be completed.
How long do they last? for?
The certificate issued to a landlord who successfully completes the CP12 is valid for 12 months following the date of the inspection. This is the reason it is vital for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does it, the landlord is breaking the law and could be punished with a fine.
There are a variety of reasons why landlords might not be able to receive 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 case is to gently remind them that their gas safety checks are due and then plan the check right away.
It is important to note that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who fails to renew their certificate prior to the expiry date will be in breach of the law. If the problem is not resolved immediately, they could be unable to rent out their property and may even be unable to access their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive is a register of all engineers who are authorised to perform CP12 inspections and issues gas safety certificates. It is an official organization and you will be able to spot their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they work for. They also have a Gas Safe registration number which they need to present when they book 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 ever unsure of their status.
Where can I purchase one?
Only engineers who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This ensures the engineer is qualified to conduct an extensive inspection. If an appliance fails the check the engineer will notify the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before a new certificate can be issued. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days following the inspection.
Inability to obtain a valid CP12 poses significant health and safety risks for tenants and puts the landlord in violation of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colourless, but they also can cause fires and explosions. Blockage of flues can also stop harmful gases from being safely evacuated from the premises, increasing carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety inspections can help to reduce the risk of these accidents because any issues can be addressed promptly. In accordance with the directions or manuals of the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipes within 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 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 get an authentic CP12 within the specified time. This helps avoid the fines and disruption that can come from not observing the law.