Don't Forget Gas Safety Certificate: 10 Reasons That You No Longer Need It

Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12 Anyone who leases out a portion of their property or the entire one must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This guarantees that all appliances are safe and comply with the law. Landlords should also keep records for all inspections. This is important in the event that the landlord decides to sell their property. Legal Requirements Anyone renting out an apartment that has gas piping should be legally required to have it inspected 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 do not adhere to the law place their tenants at risk of poisoning by carbon monoxide and may be liable to legal actions. They also risk losing the insurance protection for landlords. To carry out an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the building, full details of all appliances that need inspection, as well as the manufacturer and model information for each appliance, as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must also be able to verify that each appliance is functioning properly and that all pipes and fittings are in good condition and safely secured. Any problems identified during the inspection would be recorded on the CP12 and remedies suggested. If the issues are not fixed, then a further inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued when the issue is resolved. The date that the next inspection is due to be recorded on the CP12 and should be scheduled quickly to prevent any issues. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can perform an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can look 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 what is CP12? A CP12 document is issued by a registered Gas Safe engineer after a thorough inspection of gas appliances, fittings and flues in the building. This certificate is a crucial 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 do not adhere to the law face severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment. The CP12 is a complete document that lists all of the property's gas appliances as well as the specific information about every inspection and any issues discovered. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date that the inspection was conducted. The landlord must provide each tenant with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before a new tenant moves into. When choosing a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection, it is important to choose a reputable professional who has the experience and reputation needed to provide an extensive inspection. Checking the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable method of confirming their credentials. The card will include their registration number as well as what types of work they're qualified to do. You can also review and get recommendations from other landlords. Landlords that fail to maintain a valid CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties including fines and even imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 could result in the invalidation of landlords' insurance policies, leaving them financially vulnerable in the case of a gas-related event. The most effective strategy for avoiding these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a licensed Gas Safe engineer. How do I get one? A CP12 is a valid document that confirms that gas appliances in the property have been examined for safety. It is legally required for landlords to obtain and maintain a CP12 for every building they rent out to tenants. A CP12 provides details about the inspection, including whether each appliance passed or failed, as well as the work required to bring them to a standard. This allows tenants to know what they can expect from renting a property, and helps to stop landlords from incurring unanticipated costs if there is any issue. A landlord must provide an applicant with a copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection, as well as keeping records for their own use. Landlords must also ensure to renew their CP12 before it expires in the event that they fail to do so could leave them open to a penalty fine or even criminal prosecution. Achieving do i need a gas safety certificate CP12 isn't just a legal requirement but it's also important to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will highlight any issues that could arise regarding the gas supply and appliances in your rental properties, which can be fixed before they grow into larger issues. You can locate an engineer registered on the internet if you're looking for a CP12. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on uniforms or on their service vehicles. It is also advisable to check with CORGI the authority (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is licensed to conduct CP12 inspections. Another option is to utilize a simple landlord software, like Klipboard that 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 send them a notification when their next inspection is due to be carried out. How long will they last? The certificate issued to the landlord who has successfully completed a CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months after the date of the inspection. This is the reason it is essential for landlords to book regular CP12 inspections and to make sure that their certificate does not expire. If it does not the landlord is fined for breaking the law. There are many reasons landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most common reasons is that they do not remember. This is not a valid excuse, and the best thing to do in this scenario is to politely remind them that their gas safety checks are due and plan the check right away. 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. This could mean that they won't be able to rent their property, and could risk having their gas supply cut off if the issue isn't addressed immediately. All engineers who have been authorized 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 body and you will be able see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they are employed by. They also carry an Gas Safe registration number which they must provide when they book 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 unsure about their status. Where can I find one? Only those who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue a CP12. This ensures that the engineer is fully qualified to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will notify the landlord that the appliance has failed the test and recommend that any repairs needed be made prior to issuance of a new certificate. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection. A valid CP12 is essential for the safety and health of tenants. It also makes landlords in violation of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odourless but they can also trigger fires and explosions. In addition blocked flues can stop harmful gases from being safely expelled from the property, increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check can help reduce these risks, as any issues that need to be taken care of can be addressed promptly. The landlord is also responsible for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipes in their rental properties, in line to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. Landlords are also required to keep a log of all maintenance work. With the aid of free software for landlords such as BOXT, it is much easier to keep track of these vital tasks. Whether it's by setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure their tenants have an official CP12 in the required timeframe. This will prevent fines and other issues that could arise from failure to comply with the law.