Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a piece of their property or the entire one must have a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords should also keep a record for every inspection. This will be useful if the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue an cp12 gas safety certificate to any person renting out an apartment with gas pipes at least once a year. Landlords must give the certificates to tenants at the beginning of the tenancy and keep copies of any future inspections for as long as they own the property.
Landlords who fail to comply with the law are putting their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and face possible legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance.
Engineers require access to the premises to conduct the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They also need to 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 of confirming that each appliance is functioning properly and that all pipework and fittings are in good working order 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 cannot be fixed then a further inspection will be needed and a new certificate will be issued once the issue is fixed. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is important to schedule this inspection as soon as possible in order to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorized to conduct an assessment and issue a gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to look online 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 a Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection thorough of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances within a building. This certificate is an essential element of the landlord's responsibilities under UK law. It is a way to ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not follow the law are subject to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The CP12 document is a comprehensive listing of all gas appliances located in the building and provides specific details about every inspection and any issues that were found. The document also lists the name of the 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 in.
When selecting the Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection, it is important to select a qualified professional with the experience and reputation required to conduct an accurate inspection. Checking the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable method to confirm their credentials. This card includes their registration number as well as what kind of work they're competent to do. You can also read reviews and recommendations by other landlords.
Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of severe legal penalties, which could include fines and even imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 can lead to the cancellation of landlords' insurance policies which could leave them financially vulnerable in the case of a gas-related event. To minimize the risk, the best strategy 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 demonstrates that the gas appliances in a property have been properly checked for safety. It is legal for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each building they rent out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection including the degree to which each appliance was passed, as well as any work required to bring them up to date. This lets tenants know exactly what they are getting from a rental property, and can help prevent landlords from incurring unexpected costs in the event of an issue.
A landlord must provide an original copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They must also keep records for their own reference. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or else they could be liable to a fine or criminal prosecution.
Achieving the CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but is also essential to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will identify any issues that could arise regarding the gas supply and appliances in your rental property, which can be fixed before they grow into larger issues.
You can locate a registered engineer online if you are looking for an CP12. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or on their service vans. It is also advisable to check with CORGI, the authority (now Gas Safe), to ensure that your engineer is registered to conduct CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a landlord software solution that allows engineers to quickly and efficiently complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates in the field without keeping track of bulky paper pads. They can also set up service reminders to send notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long do they last?
The certificate issued to the landlord who has successfully completed a CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months after the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and ensure that their certificate does not expire. If it does, 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 frequent reasons is because they forget. This is not a valid excuse and the best option in this scenario is to gently remind them that their gas safety check is due and schedule the check immediately.
A CP12 is not a grace period. If a landlord fails to renew their certificate prior to the expiry date is in breach of the law. If the issue isn't fixed immediately, they may be unable to rent out their property and may even lose their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is run by the UK Health and Safety Executive, registers all engineers who have been authorised for CP12 inspections and issues gas safety certificates. This is an official organisation and you will be able to see their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they work for. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when you book 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 a CP12. This guarantees that the engineer is competent to perform a thorough inspection. The engineer will inform the landlord that the appliance has failed the test and suggest that any repairs required be completed prior to issuing a new certificate. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
Inability to obtain a valid CP12 could pose significant health and safety risks for tenants and puts the landlord in breach of the law. Faulty appliances can produce inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They also can cause fires and explosions. Additionally blocked flues can stop harmful gases from being safely emitted from the building, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help reduce these risks since any issues can be addressed promptly. MK Gas Safety is also responsible to perform annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipes in their rental properties, in accordance to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. Landlords must also keep a log of all maintenance work.
With the help of free software for landlords like BOXT it is easier to keep track of these important tasks. It doesn't matter if it's setting an alarm to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that tenants receive a valid and up to date CP12 within the timeframe required. This will prevent fines and other issues that may arise from failing to follow the law.