Don't Forget Gas Safety Certificate: 10 Reasons Why You Do Not Need It
Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a part or all of their property must get a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures that the appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords must also keep records of any inspections. This is useful in the event that they decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to anyone renting out a property with gas piping at least once a year. Landlords must present the certificates to tenants on the start of a tenancy. They must also keep copies of any subsequent inspections for as long as they own the property.
Landlords who do not comply with the law put their tenants at risk of poisoning by carbon monoxide and may be liable to legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance coverage.
To conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate engineers require access to the building, full details of all appliances that need checking and the make and model of each appliance, as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers must also be able confirm that every appliance is operating properly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment is in good working order.
Any problems found during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If gas certificates are not corrected, a subsequent inspection is required and a new certification will be issued after the problem is resolved. The date when the next inspection is due to be included on the CP12 and should be scheduled in a timely manner to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to complete an assessment and issue an official gas safety certificate. Landlords can search online for the Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can look online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a registered Gas Safe engineer following a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues and fittings within a property. This certificate is a vital part of the landlord's obligations under UK law. It assists in ensuring that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords that do not comply with the law could be penalized severely, ranging from fines and prison.
The CP12 document contains a complete list of all gas appliances in the home, as well as specific details about each inspection and any issues that were found. The document also lists the name of a Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date the inspection was conducted. Landlords must provide 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 selecting a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection it is essential to select a qualified professional with the expertise and credibility required to conduct an extensive examination. The best way to verify an engineer's credentials is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number and the kinds of work they're qualified to perform. It is also recommended to read reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of serious legal penalties, such as fines and even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This leaves landlords vulnerable financially in the case of a gas related incident. To avoid these risks the best way to protect yourself is to schedule annual inspections by a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How can I get one?
A CP12 is an official document that proves that the gas appliances within the property were tested for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, such as the degree to which each appliance passed, and any work needed to bring them up to date. This allows tenants to know what they can expect from renting a property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected expenses if there's any issue.
A landlord must give an original copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They should also keep records to use for their own reference. Landlords are also required to renew their CP12 prior to its expiration or they could face being fined or even a criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain a CP12 certificate is not only legal however, it is important for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 certificate will reveal any issues that could arise with the gas supply and appliances in your rental properties and can be rectified before they become bigger problems.
If you're interested in getting a CP12 then you can locate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms as well as on their service vehicles. You should also check with CORGI, the governing body (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer has been registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a simple landlord software like Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and conveniently on the job without having to keep track of large pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that send notifications to their clients when the next check is due.
How long will they last?
If a landlord is able to complete the CP12 and passes it the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of inspection. This is the reason it is vital for landlords to schedule regular CP12 checks and to ensure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does it, the landlord is breaking the law and could be subject to a fine.
There are many reasons why landlords fail to renew their CP12. One of the most frequent reasons is because they forget. This isn't a good excuse, and the best thing to do in this case is to politely remind them that the gas safety check is due and schedule the check immediately.
It is important to note that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who fails to renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the issue isn't resolved immediately, they could be unable to rent their home and even be unable to access their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive, registers all engineers who are authorised for CP12 inspections and issues gas safety certificates. It is an official organization and you'll be able to spot their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they work for. They will also carry an Gas Safe registration number which they must provide when booking an inspection. This registration number is unique and can be used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I get one?
Only engineers who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This guarantees that the engineer is qualified to conduct an extensive inspection. The engineer will notify the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and recommend that any repairs needed be made before issuing an updated certificate. Landlords are required to provide tenants with a copy the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days following the inspection.
A valid CP12 is essential for the safety and health of tenants. It also puts the landlord in violation of the law. Not only do faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colourless, but they may also cause explosions and fires. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases from being safely evacuated from the building, increasing carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help reduce the risk, since any issues that need to be addressed will be addressed promptly. The landlord is also responsible for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipes in their rental properties, in line with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. Landlords are also required to keep a log of all maintenance work.
With the help of free software for landlords, such as BOXT, it is easier to keep track of these crucial tasks. It's as simple as setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants receive an official CP12 within the timeframe required. This will help to avoid penalties and other issues that may arise from failing to comply with the law.