12 Companies That Are Leading The Way In Gas Safety Certificate
Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who rents out part or all of their home must be issued a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords must also keep records for all inspections. This will come in handy in the event that they decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone renting out an apartment that has gas piping is legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. Landlords must present the certificates at the start of a new lease to tenants and keep copies for as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who fail to adhere to the law place their tenants at risk of poisoning by carbon monoxide and may face legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance coverage.
In order to conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the premises, full details of all appliances that require being checked, and the manufacturer and model information for each appliance, in addition to access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must be able to confirm that every appliance is functioning correctly and that all pipework and fittings are in good working order and securely secured.
Any problems found during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the faults are not fixed, a second inspection is required and a new certificate will be issued after the issue is fixed. The date that the next inspection is scheduled will be included on the CP12 and must be scheduled quickly to prevent any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct an assessment and issue gas safety certificates . Landlords are able to search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can look online for an engineer who is Gas Safe in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe-registered engineer after a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings in a property. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's obligations under UK law and helps to ensure that tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who don't follow the law are subject to severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 document is a comprehensive listing of all gas appliances located in the building, as well as specific information about every inspection and any issues that were identified. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date the inspection was conducted. Landlords must provide an original copy of CP12 to each tenant within 28 days following their annual inspection, or prior to the tenant moving in.
When choosing an Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection, it is important to select a qualified professional with the experience and reputation required to conduct an extensive examination. The best method to confirm an engineer's credentials is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which contains their registration number as well as the type of work they are able to carry out. It is also a good idea to review and get suggestions from other landlords.
Landlords who do not have an active CP12 face serious legal penalties, such as penalties of imprisonment and fines. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 can lead to the cancellation of landlords' insurance policies, leaving them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. To reduce 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 proves that gas appliances in the property have been examined for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each building they lease out to tenants. A CP12 provides details about the inspection, including if each appliance was passed or failed, and any work required to bring them up to standards. This informs tenants of what they can expect from renting a property, and helps to prevent landlords from incurring unexpected expenses if there's any issue.
A landlord is required to provide a new tenant with an original copy of their CP12 within 28 days after the date of the inspection, as well as keeping records for their personal use. Landlords should also make sure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date in the event that they fail to do so could leave them open to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
Getting a CP12 certificate is not only legal, but it is also essential for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 will reveal any potential problems in the gas supply to your rental property or appliances, so that they can be dealt with before they turn into bigger issues.
You can search for a registered engineer online if you are searching for a CP12. You can identify them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or that is displayed on their service vans. You should also check with CORGI, the authority (now Gas Safe), to ensure that your engineer is registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a software for landlords solution that allows engineers to quickly and easily complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates on the field, without having to keep the track of large paper pads. They can also create service reminders that send out notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long will they last?
The certificate issued to the landlord who has successfully completed a CP12 is valid for 12 months following the date of the inspection. This is why it is vital for landlords to schedule regular CP12 checks and to ensure that their certificate does not run out. If it does not, the landlord could be punished for breaking the law.
There are many reasons landlords fail to renew their CP12. One of the most common is that they forget. This isn't an excuse. The most effective way to handle this is to gently remind them that their gas safety inspection is due and make it a point to schedule it right away.
It is also important to remember that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who does not renew their certificate prior to the expiry date will be in breach of the law. This could mean that they will not be able to rent out their property and may even be at risk of being cut off from gas off if the problem isn't resolved immediately.
Gas Safe Register, which is operated by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers who have been authorised to conduct CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. You will see the logo of this official organization on the uniforms and vans of their firms. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required to book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to look up their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are ever unsure of their status.
Where can I get one?
Only those who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This ensures that the engineer is competent to perform an in-depth inspection. The engineer will inform the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and suggest that any necessary repairs be made prior to issuance of an updated certificate. Landlords must 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. Not only do faulty appliances generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is colorless and odourless but they may also cause fires and explosions. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases from being safely emitted from the building and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help reduce these risks, as any issues that require to be addressed can be dealt with quickly. The landlord is also accountable for carrying out annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties, in line to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. The landlord 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's as simple as setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants get an official CP12 in the required timeframe. Ultimately, this helps to avoid the hassles and fines that can come from not complying with the law.