How To Get More Benefits Out Of Your Gas Safety Certificate
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 ensures that all appliances are safe, and comply with the laws. Landlords should also keep a record for all inspections. This will be useful 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 an Gas Safe registered engineer once every year. The landlord is required to present the certificates to prospective tenants on the start of the tenancy and keep copies of any subsequent inspections for as long as they own the property. Landlords who don't follow the law put their tenants in danger of poisoning by carbon monoxide and may face legal actions. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance. To carry out an inspection and issue the gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the property and the full information of all appliances that require inspection, as well as the manufacturer and model details for each appliance, as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers must also verify that each appliance functions properly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment is in good condition. Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12, and solutions will be suggested. If the problem is not fixed, a second inspection is required, and a new certificate will be issued once the problem is resolved. The date when the next inspection is due will be included on the CP12 and should be scheduled promptly to avoid any issues. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorised to complete an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can search online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area. What is what is CP12? A CP12 document is issued by a registered Gas Safe engineer following a thorough examination of gas appliances fittings, flues and fittings within the property. This certificate is a vital part of the landlord's obligations under UK law. It assists in ensuring that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who don't adhere to the law face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The CP12 is a complete document that includes all the gas appliances in the home as well as the specific information about each inspection, as well as any issues that were discovered. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test as well as their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. 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 moves in. It is crucial to choose a Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. The person you choose should have the expertise and experience to provide a thorough inspection. Examining the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable method of confirming their credentials. This card includes their registration number and what kind of work they're qualified to do. You can also look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords. Landlords that fail to maintain a valid CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties, including fines and even imprisonment. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 can lead to the invalidation of landlords' insurance policies and leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. To avoid these risks the best way to protect yourself is to schedule annual inspections by a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s. How do I get one? A CP12 is a document that certifies that the gas appliances inside a property were checked for safety. It is legal for landlords to obtain and maintain one for each building they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, such as whether or not each appliance passed, and any work needed to bring them up to date. This ensures that tenants know what to expect when renting out a property and it helps prevent unexpected costs for landlords if there is a problem. mkgassafety must provide the new tenant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days after the date of the inspection, as well as keeping records for their own use. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or they could face a fine or criminal prosecution. Achieving the CP12 isn't just a legal obligation but it's also crucial for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will reveal any issues that could arise in the gas supply or appliances in your rental property that can be addressed before they turn into bigger problems. If you're in the market for a CP12 then you can locate an engineer who is 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 check with CORGI the authority (now Gas Safe), to ensure that your engineer is registered to carry out CP12 inspections. Another option is to use a simple landlord software like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily in the field without needing to keep track of large pads of paper. They can also set service reminders for their clients, and automatically send them a notification when their next check is due to be carried out. How long do they last? for? The certificate issued to a landlord who successfully completes a CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificates do not expire. If it doesn't the landlord is fined for breaking the law. There are many reasons landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most common is that they forget. This isn't 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 for a CP12 and any landlord who does not renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. This could mean they won't be able to rent out their property and could be in danger of losing their gas supply off if the problem isn't fixed straight away. 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. This is an official organisation and you'll be able see their logo on their uniforms as well as on the vans of the companies they work for. They will also have a Gas Safe registration number which they will need to provide when booking an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure of their status. Where can I get one? A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures that the engineer is fully qualified to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. If appliances fail the inspection the engineer will inform the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before the new certificate is issued. The landlord is required to provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the inspection taking place. Invalid CP12 could pose significant risk to the health and safety of tenants and puts the landlord in breach of the law. Faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide that is colorless and smellless. They also can cause fires and explosions. Blockage of flues can also stop harmful gases from being safely emitted from the premises and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to reduce these risks, as any issues that need to be taken care of can be addressed quickly. In accordance with the directions or manuals provided by the manufacturer landlords are also accountable to perform annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties. Landlords must also keep a record of all maintenance work. Fortunately, with the aid of landlord free software such as BOXT, keeping track of these important tasks is a lot easier for landlords. It's as simple as setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure their tenants receive an official CP12 within the timeframe required. This will help avoid fines and other issues that may arise from failing to adhere to the law.