Gas Safety Certificate: A Simple Definition
Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion of their property must have a CP12 gas safety certificate. This guarantees that the appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords must also keep records of all inspections. This will come in handy if they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who leases properties that have gas piping should be legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once every year. Landlords are required to present the certificates to prospective 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 adhere to the law put their tenants at risk of dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning and could face potential legal actions. They also risk losing the insurance protection for landlords.
To conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers require access to the building as well as the complete details of all appliances that need checking and the make and model of each appliance, in addition to access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers must also ensure that every appliance functions correctly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment are in good condition.
Any problems found during the inspection will be noted on the CP12, and solutions will be suggested. If the faults are not corrected, a subsequent inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued after the issue is fixed. The CP12 will include the date of the next inspection. It is important to schedule this inspection as soon as possible in order to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to complete 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 that offers competitive prices and a reliable 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 a Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings within a building. This certificate is a vital part of the landlord's duties under UK law. It helps to ensure that tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not adhere to the law face severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 document contains a complete listing of all gas appliances in the home and provides specific information about each inspection, and any issues that were identified. The document also lists the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date that the inspection was conducted. Landlords are required to give a copy of CP12 to each tenant within 28 days following their annual inspection, or before a tenant moves into the property.
It is crucial to choose a Gas Safe registered professional to conduct a CP12 examination. This professional should have the knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough examination. Examining the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best method of confirming their credentials. The card contains their registration number, as well as what types 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, including penalties like fines or even imprisonment. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 can lead to the cancellation of insurance policies for landlords and leave them financially vulnerable in the case of a gas-related event. To avoid these risks, the best strategy is to schedule annual inspections by an 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 demonstrates that gas appliances in the property have been examined for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for every building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains the details of the inspection, such as the degree to which each appliance passed, and any work required to bring them up-to-standard. This lets tenants know exactly what they can expect from a rental property, and can help stop landlords from incurring unanticipated costs if there is a problem.
A landlord must give an official copy of the CP12 to a 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 the date it expires or they could face an infraction or a criminal charge.
Getting the CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but is also essential for the health and well-being of your tenants. landlord gas safety certificate cost will detect any potential problems in the gas supply of your rental property or appliances, so that they can be dealt with before they turn into bigger issues.
If you're looking to get a CP12, you can find an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe online. landlord gas safety certificate cost can recognize them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. It's also worth checking with the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is fully licensed to conduct CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a simple landlord software, like Klipboard that allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and effortlessly in the field without needing to keep track of large pads of paper. They can also set service reminders for their clients, which will automatically notify them when their next check is due to be completed.
How long do they last? for?
When a landlord completes an 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 important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 checks and ensure that their certificate does not run out. If it does, the landlord is breaking the law and could be subject to a fine.
Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords may fail to receive their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent reasons is because they forget. This isn't a good excuse, and the best option in this scenario is to gently remind them that the gas safety check is due and then make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible.
A CP12 is not an extension period. Any landlord who fails to renew their certificate before the expiry date is in breach of the law. This could mean they will not be able to rent their property, and could be at risk of losing their gas supply off if the problem isn't resolved immediately.
Gas Safe Register, which is operated by the UK Health and Safety Executive, registers all engineers that are authorized to perform CP12 inspections and to issue 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. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required to book an inspection. This registration number is unique and can be used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I purchase 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 an extensive inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will notify the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and suggest that any repairs needed be made before issuing a new certificate. Landlords must provide an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the time that the inspection took place.
A valid CP12 is vital to the health and safety of tenants. It also makes landlords in violation of the law. Not only do faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colourless, but they can also trigger explosions and fires. Additionally blocked flues can stop harmful gases from safely being ejected from the property, increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks can reduce these risks because any issues can be resolved quickly. The landlord is also accountable to perform annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties, in line to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. The landlord must also keep a record of all maintenance work.
With the aid of landlord free software like BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is much easier for landlords. If this is done by setting an alarm to issue a CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants get a valid and up to date CP12 within the required timeframe. This will help to avoid fines and other issues that may arise from failing to comply with the law.