Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone renting out a part of their property or the entire one must have a CP12 gas safety certificate. This guarantees that all appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords should also keep records of any inspections. This is important in the event that the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who leases a property that has gas piping is legally required to have it inspected and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. The landlord must present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy to tenants and keep copies as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who do not comply with the law put their tenants at risk of dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning, and are facing possible legal action. They also run the risk of losing their insurance protection for landlords.
To carry out an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers need access to the property and the full information of all appliances that need checking and the make and model of each appliance, as well as access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers should also be able to confirm that every appliance is operating correctly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment is in good working order.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12, and solutions will be suggested. If the faults cannot be fixed then a further inspection will be required and a new certificate will be issued when 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 so that you do not run into any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to complete an assessment and issue an official gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can search online for an engineer who is Gas Safe in their area.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a document issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances within a building. This certificate is a crucial part of the landlord's obligations under UK law and helps ensure that all tenants are living in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords that do not adhere to the law can face severe penalties including fines and prison.
The CP12 is a comprehensive document that lists all of the gas appliances that are in the property and the specific details of every inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also contains the name of a Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date on which the inspection was conducted. Landlords must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection or prior to the time a new tenant moves into.
When choosing an Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection it is essential to choose a reputable professional with the expertise and credibility required to conduct a thorough inspection. The best way to verify the credentials of an engineer is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which includes their registration number and the kinds of work they are qualified to do. You can also look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain an active CP12 face serious legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 could lead to the cancellation of landlords' insurance policies and leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. The most effective strategy for avoiding these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s 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 confirms that the gas appliances within a property were checked for safety. It is legal for landlords to obtain and maintain a CP12 for every building they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, such as whether each appliance was passed or failed, and any work needed to bring them to a standard. This helps tenants understand what to expect when renting out a property and it helps to avoid costly expenses for the landlord in the event that there is a problem.
A landlord must provide an applicant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the date of the inspection and keep records for their own use. Landlords are also required to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or they could be liable to being fined or even a criminal prosecution.
Getting a CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but it's also important for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will reveal any potential issues regarding the gas supply and appliances in your rental properties and can be rectified before they grow into larger issues.
You can locate an engineer who is registered online if you are searching for a CP12. You can identify them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. It is also advisable to check with CORGI the authority (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer has been registered to conduct CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution like Klipboard that allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and conveniently in the field without needing to keep track of bulky pads of paper. They can also set service reminders for their clients, and automatically send them a notification when their next inspection is scheduled to be completed.
How long are they good for?
If a landlord is able to complete a CP12 and is able to pass it the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of inspection. It is therefore essential that landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it doesn't the landlord is fined for breaking the law.
Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords might not be able to receive their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent reasons is that they do not remember. This is not an excuse. The most effective way to handle this is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due and plan it as soon as possible.
It is also important to remember 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 violation of the law. This could mean that they will not be able to rent their property, and could risk being cut off from gas off if the issue isn't fixed straight away.
Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers that are authorized to conduct CP12 inspections and issuing gas safety certificates. This is an official organisation and you will be able see their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they are employed by. They will also have an Gas Safe registration number which they must provide when booking an inspection. gas safety certificate duplicate www.mkgassafety.co.uk is unique to them and can be used to search their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are ever unsure of their status.
Where can I buy one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This assures that the engineer is fully competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. If appliances fail the inspection the engineer will inform the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before a new certificate can be issued. Landlords must provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the date that the inspection took place.
Invalid CP12 poses significant health and safety risks for tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create colourless and odourless carbon monoxide. They also can cause fires and explosions. Additionally, blocked flues can prevent harmful gases from being safely expelled out of the home, thereby increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check can help reduce these risks, as any issues that require to be addressed will be addressed promptly. In accordance with the directions or manuals issued by the manufacturer landlords are also accountable for the annual maintenance of gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. The landlord should also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the aid of free software for landlords, such as BOXT, it is easier to keep track of these vital tasks. It's as simple as setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants get an authentic CP12 within the specified time. Ultimately, this helps to avoid the fines and disruption caused by not following the law.