Watch Out: What Gas Safety Certificate Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12 Anyone who rents out part or all of their property must be issued a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe and comply with the law. Landlords must also keep records for all inspections. This will be helpful should the landlord decide to sell their property. Legal Requirements Anyone who rents 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 every year. Landlords must present the certificates at the beginning of a new tenancy 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 carbon monoxide poisoning, and may be liable to legal action. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance. To conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the building as well as the complete details of all appliances that require inspection, as well as the manufacturer and model information for each appliance, in addition to access to the manufacturer's specifications. The engineers must be able of confirming that each appliance is operating properly and that all pipes and fittings are in good condition and securely secured. Any issues that are discovered 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 once the issue is fixed. The date when the next inspection is due to be noted on the CP12 and must be scheduled quickly to avoid any problems. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorized to conduct an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search online for the Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can look online for an engineer certified by Gas Safe in their area. What is a CP12? A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues and fittings within the building. This certificate is an essential element of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law and helps ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who fail to follow the law may be penalized severely, ranging from fines and prison. The CP12 document is a comprehensive listing of all gas appliances located in the building as well as specific details about each inspection, and any issues that were discovered. The document also lists the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test and their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords must provide a copy of CP12 to all tenants within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before a tenant moves into. When choosing a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection It is crucial to choose a reputable professional who has the experience and credibility required to conduct an accurate examination. The best method to confirm the credentials of an engineer is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which includes their registration number as well as the kinds of work they're qualified to do. You can also review and get recommendations from other landlords. Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of severe legal penalties, including fines and even jail time. In addition, lack of a CP12 can lead to the cancellation of landlords' insurance policies, leaving them financially vulnerable in the case of a gas-related event. To reduce the risk the best way to protect yourself is to schedule regular 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 gas appliances in the property were tested for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for each property they lease to tenants. A CP12 includes the details of the inspection, such as whether each appliance was passed or failed, and any work required to bring them up to standard. This helps tenants understand what they can expect when renting an apartment or house, and helps to avoid costly expenses for the landlord in the event that there is a problem. A landlord must provide 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 ensure 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 landlord gas safety certificate uk isn't just legal however, it's also essential for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 will detect any potential problems in your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so that they can be addressed before they turn into bigger issues. If you're looking to get a CP12 then you can locate an engineer who's registered with Gas Safe online. 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 contact CORGI, the authority (now Gas Safe), to ensure that your engineer is registered to perform 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 heavy pads of paper. They can also set up service reminders to notify their customers when their next check is due. How long are they expected to last? When a landlord completes the CP12 and passes it the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of inspection. This is why it is important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 checks and to ensure that their certificate doesn't run out. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could be subject to a fine. Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords may not get their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they forget. This is not an excuse. The best option is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then plan it as soon as possible. It is also worth noting that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who doesn't renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. If the problem is not addressed immediately, they could not be able to rent their property and may even have their gas supply cut. All engineers who are authorised 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. You will see the logo of this official organization on the uniforms and vans of their companies. They also have an Gas Safe registration number which they need to present when booking an inspection. This number is unique and is used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register. Where can I get one? Only those who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This guarantees that the engineer is competent to perform a thorough inspection. The engineer will notify the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and suggest that any necessary repairs be made prior to issuance of the new certificate. Landlords are required to provide tenants with a copy the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection. A valid CP12 is essential for the health and safety of tenants. It also places the landlord in breach of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is colorless and odourless but they also can cause fires and explosions. In addition blocked flues can stop harmful gases from being safely emitted from the property, increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help reduce these risks since any issues can be addressed promptly. The landlord is also responsible for carrying out annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties, in accordance to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. Landlords should also keep records of the maintenance work they carry out. Thankfully, with the aid of landlord free software like BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is a lot easier for landlords. If this is done by setting a reminder to issue a CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants get an accurate and up-to date CP12 within the timeframe required. This will help avoid fines and other issues that may arise from failing to comply with the law.