Beware Of This Common Mistake You're Using Your Gas Safety Certificate

Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12 Anyone who rents out part or all of their home must obtain a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that all appliances are safe, and comply with the law. 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 the gas safety cp12 certification to anyone who leases an apartment with gas pipes at least once a year. The landlord is required to provide the certificates to tenants on the start of the tenancy and keep copies of any future inspections for as long as they own the property. Landlords who fail to comply with the law put 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 coverage. To carry out an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate engineers require access to the property and the full information of all appliances in need of checking and the make and model information for each appliance, along with access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers should also be able to verify that each appliance functions correctly and that all pipework, fittings 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 problem is not fixed, a second inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued when the issue is resolved. The date on which the next inspection is scheduled will be recorded on the CP12 and must be scheduled quickly to avoid any problems. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can complete an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can search online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area. What is a CP12? A CP12 is a certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances at a property. This certificate is a crucial part of the landlord's obligations under UK law and helps to ensure that all tenants are living in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who fail to comply with the law could face severe penalties including imprisonment and fines. The CP12 document is a complete list of all gas appliances within the building as well as specific details regarding each inspection and any issues that were found. The document also contains the name of Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date that the inspection was completed. The landlord must provide each tenant with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or prior to the time a new tenant is moved in. When choosing an Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection, it is important to choose a reputable professional who has the experience and reputation required to conduct an extensive examination. The best method to confirm the credentials of an engineer is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number and the type of work they're qualified to perform. You can also look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords. gas safety certificate for landlords who do not have a valid CP12 are subject to serious legal penalties, such as penalties of imprisonment and fines. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This leaves landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas related incident. To avoid these risks the best option is to schedule regular inspections by a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s. How do I obtain one? A CP12 is a legal document that confirms that the gas appliances within a property have been properly examined for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to get and maintain one for each property they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, including whether each appliance passed or failed, as well as any work required to bring them up to standards. This allows tenants to know what they can expect from a rental property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected costs in the event of any issue. A landlord is required to provide the new tenant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection and keep records for their own use. Landlords should also be sure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date in the event that they fail to do this could expose them to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution. The requirement to obtain a CP12 certificate isn't just a legal requirement however, it's also crucial for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 will identify any potential issues with your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so they can be dealt with before they turn into bigger issues. You can locate an engineer who is registered on the internet if you're looking for a CP12. You can identify them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vehicles. You should also contact CORGI, the authority (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is licensed to conduct CP12 inspections. Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and effortlessly in the field without needing to keep track of heavy 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 are they good for? The certificate given to the landlord who has successfully completed a CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. This is why it's essential for landlords to book regular CP12 checks and to ensure that their certificate does not expire. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could face a fine. There are a variety of reasons why landlords might not get their CP12 renewed. One of the most common reasons is that they do not remember. This isn't a good excuse and the best thing to do in this situation is to politely remind them that their gas safety checks are due and then make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible. It is important to note that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who doesn't have their certificate renewed after the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the issue isn't addressed immediately, they could be unable to rent out their home and even have their gas supply cut. gas safety certificate landlord 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 organisation on the uniforms and vans of their companies. They also carry a Gas Safe registration number which they must provide when booking an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to look up their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are ever unsure of their status. Where can I find one? Only engineers registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue the CP12. This ensures that the engineer is fully competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will notify the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and suggest that any repairs required be made before issuing an updated certificate. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection. Invalid CP12 can pose serious health and safety risks for tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Not only can faulty appliances generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is odorless and colourless, but they may also cause explosions and fires. In addition blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from being safely expelled out of the home, thereby increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks will help minimize the risks, because any issues can be resolved quickly. In accordance with the directions or manuals issued by the manufacturer landlords are also accountable for the annual maintenance of gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties. Landlords are also required to keep a record of all maintenance work. Fortunately, with the help of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is a lot easier for landlords. It doesn't matter if it's setting an appointment to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that tenants receive a valid and up to date CP12 within the stipulated timeframe. This helps avoid the fines and disruption caused by not following the law.