Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12 Anyone who rents out part or all of their property must get a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe, and comply with the laws. Landlords should also keep records of all inspections. This will come in handy if they ever decide to sell their property. Legal Requirements Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to anyone renting out the property that has gas piping at least once per year. Landlords must present the certificates to new tenants on the start of a tenancy and keep copies of any future inspections for the duration of their ownership of the property. Landlords who don't adhere to the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and could face potential legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance. Engineers need access to a property for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They must also be aware of the model and manufacturer of each appliance and access to the manufacturer specifications. The engineers must also be able to verify that each appliance is operating properly and that all fittings and pipework are in good condition 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 are not fixed, then another inspection will be required and a new certificate will be issued once 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 can conduct an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can look online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area. What is what is CP12? A CP12 is a document issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings at a property. This certificate is an essential part of the responsibilities a landlord has under UK law, and helps ensure that all tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who fail to adhere to the law face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The CP12 document is a complete list of all gas appliances located in the home, as well as specific details regarding each inspection, and any issues that were identified. The document also includes the name of a 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 before a new tenant is moved into. When selecting the Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection It is crucial to select a qualified professional with the expertise and credibility required to conduct a thorough inspection. The best method to confirm an engineer's credentials is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number as well as the type of work they're qualified to do. gas safe building regulations compliance certificate is also recommended to read reviews and recommendations from other landlords. Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of severe legal penalties, which could include fines and even jail time. In addition, lack of a CP12 could result in the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords, leaving them financially vulnerable in the case of a gas-related event. The best way to protecting yourself from these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s current and up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a licensed Gas Safe engineer. How do I get one? A CP12 is a legal document that confirms that gas appliances in a property have been properly tested for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and have one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, including if each appliance passed or failed, as well as any work required to bring them up to standards. This informs tenants of what they can expect from a rental property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected costs if there is an issue. A landlord is required to provide an applicant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the date of the inspection and keep records for their personal use. Landlords are also required to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or they could face being fined or even a criminal prosecution. The requirement to obtain an CP12 isn't just a legal obligation but it's also important to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will highlight any potential problems in the gas supply or appliances in your rental properties, which can be fixed before they turn into bigger issues. You can search for an engineer registered 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 vehicles. It's also worth contacting the authority of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is licensed to conduct CP12 inspections. Another option is to use a streamlined landlord software solution, like Klipboard which 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 set reminders for service for their clients, which will automatically notify them when their next inspection is due to be carried out. How long will they last? The certificate given to the landlord who has successfully completed a CP12 is valid for 12 months after the date of the inspection. This is the reason it is vital for landlords to schedule regular CP12 checks and ensure that their certificate does not expire. If it doesn't the landlord is punished for breaking the law. Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords not be able to get their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent is that they just forget. This is not a valid excuse and the best option in this case is to politely remind them that their gas safety checks are due and make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible. It is important to note that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who doesn't renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the problem is not fixed immediately, they may be unable to rent out their home and even be unable to access their gas supply. Gas Safe Register, which is run by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers who are authorised for CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. This is an official organisation and you'll be able see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they are employed by. They will also have an Gas Safe registration number which they must provide when they book an inspection. This number is unique and can be used to verify their status on the Gas Safe Register. Where can I get one? Only engineers registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue a CP12. This ensures the engineer is competent to perform an extensive inspection. The engineer will notify the landlord that the appliance has failed the test and will recommend that any repairs required be made prior to issuance of an updated certificate. Landlords are required to provide tenants with a copy the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection. Invalid CP12 poses significant health and safety risks for tenants, as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create colourless and odourless carbon monoxide. They can also cause fires and explosions. Additionally blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from being safely expelled from the building, increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help minimize the risks, as any issues can be addressed promptly. According to the instructions or manuals provided by the manufacturer landlords are also responsible for the annual maintenance of gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. The landlords must also keep a record of the maintenance work carried out. With the aid of software that is free for landlords, such as BOXT, it is much easier to keep track of these crucial tasks. It doesn't matter if it's setting a reminder to issue a CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants receive a valid and up to date CP12 within the stipulated timeframe. In the end, this will help avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not complying with the law.
gas safe building regulations compliance certificate