Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who rents out part or all of their property has to be issued a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that the appliances are safe and complies with the law.
Landlords also need to keep records of any inspections. This is useful in the event that they decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone renting out properties that have 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 is required to provide the certificates to tenants on the start of a tenancy and keep copies of any subsequent inspections for the duration of their ownership of the property.
Landlords who fail to follow the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and may be liable to legal actions. They also risk losing their insurance coverage for landlords.
Engineers require access to a property for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They also need to know the model and make of each appliance, and have access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers should also be able to confirm that every appliance is operating correctly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment are in good condition.
Any issues discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issue cannot be corrected, another inspection is needed and a new certificate will be issued after the issue is resolved. The CP12 will contain 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 are qualified to complete an assessment and issue an official gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search online for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords should pick an engineer that offers competitive rates and an efficient service to ensure their tenants are safe from potentially deadly gas related issues.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection thorough of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues within a building. This certificate is a crucial part of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law, and helps ensure that all tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who fail to follow the law are subject to severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 is a detailed document that contains all the gas appliances that are in the property, along with specific details of each inspection, as well as any issues discovered. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test as well as their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords are required to give the CP12 copy to all tenants CP12 to all tenants within 28 days after their annual inspection or before a tenant moves into the property.
When choosing the Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection, it is important to select a qualified professional with the expertise and reputation needed to provide an extensive inspection. Checking the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best method to confirm their credentials. The card will include their registration number, as well as the types of work they are competent to do. You can also look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, such as penalties like fines or even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This puts landlords at risk financially in the event of a gas related incident. The most effective strategy for protecting yourself from the risk is to 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 gas appliances in the property were tested for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and have one for each property they lease to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, including if each appliance passed or failed, as well as the work required to bring them to a standard. This informs tenants of what they are getting from a rental property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected costs if there is a problem.
A landlord must give a copy of the CP12 to a new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They should also keep records for their own reference. Landlords should also be sure to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires, as failure to do so could lead to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
Achieving the 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 issues with your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so they can be dealt with before they become a bigger issue.
If you're interested in getting a CP12, you can find an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vehicles. You should also contact CORGI, the organization that regulates the industry (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is registered to conduct CP12 inspections.
Another option is to use 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 large pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that notify their customers when their next check is due.
How long are they good for?
If a landlord has completed an CP12 and passes it the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of inspection. This is why it is vital for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate doesn't run out. If it doesn't, the landlord could be penalized for violating the law.
There are many reasons why landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most common is that they just forget. This isn't a good excuse, and the best thing to do in this scenario is to politely remind them that their gas safety checks are due and schedule the check immediately.
It is also important to remember that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who does not have their certificate renewed after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. If the issue is not fixed immediately, they may not be able to rent their property or even lose their gas supply.
MK Gas Safety who are 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. This is an official organisation and you will be able see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they are employed by. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required to book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure about their status.
Where can I get one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This guarantees that the engineer is qualified to conduct an in-depth inspection. If an appliance fails to pass the test the engineer will notify the landlord and recommend any required repairs to be made before a new certificate is issued. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
Failure to have a valid CP12 can pose serious health and safety risks for tenants and puts the landlord in breach of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create colourless and odourless carbon monoxide. They can also cause explosions and fires. Additionally blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from being safely emitted from the building, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to reduce the risk, since any issues that require to be addressed will be addressed quickly. In accordance with the directions or manuals issued by the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for performing annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties. Landlords should also keep records of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the help of free software for landlords such as BOXT, it is simpler to keep track of these crucial tasks. Whether it's by setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants have an official CP12 within the timeframe required. This helps avoid the fines and disruption that could result from not complying with the law.