Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who rents out part or all of their property has to get an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This guarantees that all appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords should also keep a record for every inspection. This is 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 an apartment with gas pipes at least once per year. Landlords need to present the certificates at the beginning of a new lease to tenants and retain copies for as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who do not adhere to the law are putting their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and are facing potential legal action. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance.
To conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the building and the full information of all appliances that need inspection, as well as the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, along with access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers should also be able to verify that each appliance functions properly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment are in good working order.
Any problems found during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If gas safe installation certificate is not addressed, a second inspection is required and a new certificate will be issued once the issue is resolved. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is essential to plan this appointment quickly so that you do not run into any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorized to conduct an assessment and issue an official gas safety certificate. Landlords can check online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords should choose an engineer who offers competitive prices and a reliable service to ensure their tenants are safe from potentially deadly gas related issues.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a document issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues within a building. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's duties under UK law. It helps to ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who don't comply with the law could face severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
The CP12 is a complete document that includes all the gas appliances in the home and the specific details of every inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also lists the name of a Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date the inspection was completed. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before the tenant moves into.
When selecting a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection, it is important to select a qualified professional with the experience and reputation required to conduct an accurate inspection. Verifying the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable method to confirm their credentials. The card will include their registration number, as well as what kind of work they're qualified to do. It is also an excellent idea to review and get suggestions from other landlords.
Landlords that fail to maintain an active CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties including penalties of imprisonment and fines. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas related incident. To minimize the risk the best option is to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is a legal document that proves that gas appliances in a property have been properly tested for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to get and maintain one for each property they rent out to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, including if each appliance was passed or failed, and any work required to bring them up to standards. This informs tenants of what they are getting from a rental property, and helps to stop landlords from incurring unanticipated expenses if there's an issue.
A landlord must give an original copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days of the inspection. They should also keep records for their own reference. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to its expiration or they could face an infraction or a criminal charge.
A CP12 certificate is not only legal however, it is essential for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 will identify any potential problems in your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so they can be dealt with before they turn into bigger issues.
If you're in the market for a CP12 then you can locate an engineer who's registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. gas safety certificate cp12 is also advisable to check with the authority of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution such as 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 reminders for service for their clients, which will automatically send them a notification when their next inspection is scheduled to be completed.
How long will they last?
The certificate given to landlords who have successfully completed the CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore essential that landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to ensure that their certificates do not expire. If it does it, the landlord is breaking the law and could be subject to a fine.
There are a variety of reasons landlords don't renew their CP12. One of the most common is that they forget. This is not a reason to excuse. The best thing to do is to gently remind them that their gas safety inspection is due and make it a point to schedule it right away.
It is also worth noting that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who does not renew their certificate prior to the expiry date will be in breach of the law. This could mean they won't be able to let their property and may even risk losing their gas supply off if the issue isn't addressed immediately.
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 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 an Gas Safe registration number which they will need to provide when booking an inspection. This registration number is unique and is used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I buy one?
Only those who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This assures that the engineer is fully competent to conduct an extensive inspection of gas appliances and flues. If appliances fail the inspection, the engineer will warn the landlord and suggest any necessary repairs to be made before the new certificate is issued. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
A valid CP12 is vital for the health and safety of tenants. It also puts the landlord in violation of the law. Not only can faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide that is colorless and odourless but they also can cause fires and explosions. In addition blocked flues can stop harmful gases from being safely expelled out of the home, thereby increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety inspections can help to reduce these risks as any problems can be dealt with promptly. In accordance with the directions or manuals issued by the manufacturer, landlords are also responsible for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipes within their rental properties. The landlord should also keep a record of the maintenance work carried out.
With the help of free software for landlords like BOXT it is simpler to keep track of these crucial tasks. This can be done by setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure that their tenants get an authentic CP12 in the required timeframe. Ultimately, this helps to avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not complying with the law.