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10 Things Your Competition Can Teach You About Gas Safety Certificate

Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12

Anyone who leases out a portion of or their entire property must have a CP12 gas safety certificate. This guarantees that the appliances are safe and complies with the law.

Landlords should also keep records of any inspections. This is useful should they ever decide to sell their property.

Legal Requirements

Anyone renting out a property that has gas piping must be legally required to have it inspected and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. Landlords need to present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy to tenants and retain copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.

Landlords who do not comply with the law are putting their tenants at risk of dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning and face possible legal actions. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance cover.

Engineers require access to the premises for the purpose of conducting the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They must also know the model and make of each appliance, and have access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers must also ensure that every appliance functions properly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment is in good condition.

Any problems identified during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and the suggested remedies. If the problem is not fixed, a second inspection is required and a new certificate will be issued when the issue is fixed. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is crucial to schedule this inspection as soon as possible in order to avoid any problems.

Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorized to conduct an assessment and issue a gas safety certificate. Landlords can search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords can check online for an engineer certified by Gas Safe 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 and flues in the building. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's duties under UK law. It assists in ensuring that tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who fail to follow the law are subject to severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.

The CP12 document contains a complete listing of all gas appliances in the property and provides specific details regarding each inspection, and any issues that were found. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test, their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or prior to the time a new tenant is moved into.

It is essential to select the right Gas Safe registered professional to conduct a CP12 exam. The professional must have the expertise and experience to conduct a thorough examination. The best method to confirm an engineer's credentials is to verify their Gas Safe ID card, which contains their registration number and the type of work they're qualified to carry out. It's also recommended to look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.

Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of serious legal penalties, such as fines and even jail time. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This puts landlords at risk financially in the case of a gas related incident. The most effective strategy for avoiding these risks is to 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 legal document that proves that gas appliances in the property have been examined for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and have one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains the details of the inspection including the degree to which each appliance was passed, as well as any work required to bring them up-to-standard. This informs tenants of what they can expect from renting a property, and can help stop landlords from incurring unanticipated costs if there is a problem.

A landlord must give an official copy of the CP12 to a new tenant within 28 days after the inspection. They should also keep records for their own reference. Landlords are also required to renew their CP12 prior to its expiration or they could be subject to an infraction or a criminal charge.

Getting the CP12 isn't just a legal requirement but is also essential for the health and well-being of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will reveal any potential problems in the gas supply or appliances in your rental properties that can be addressed before they become bigger problems.

If you're looking to get a CP12, you can find an engineer who's registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognise them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vans. You should also contact CORGI, the organization that regulates the industry (now Gas Safe), to ensure that your engineer has been registered to perform CP12 inspections.

Another option is to use a streamlined landlord software solution, like Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily in the field without needing to keep track of heavy pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that send out notifications to their clients when their next check is due.

How long will they last?

If a landlord is able to complete an CP12 and is able to pass it, the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of inspection. It is therefore important for landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does not, the landlord could be fined for breaking the law.

There are a variety of reasons why landlords may not be able to get their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they just forget. This isn't a good excuse, and the best thing to do in this case is to gently remind them that their gas safety check is due and then make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible.

A CP12 does not have a grace period. Any landlord who fails to renew their certificate prior to the expiry date is in breach of the law. If the issue isn't resolved immediately, they could be unable to rent their property or even be unable to access their gas supply.

Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive, registers all engineers who have been authorised for CP12 inspections and issues gas safety certificates. This is an official body and you'll be able to spot their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they work for. They will also carry an 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 details on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure about their status.

Where can I buy one?

Only engineers registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue a CP12. This ensures that the engineer is fully qualified for a thorough inspection. The engineer will inform the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and will recommend that any repairs needed be made before issuing the new certificate. Landlords must provide an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the time that the inspection took place.

Inability to obtain a valid CP12 poses significant health and safety risks for tenants as well as putting the landlord in violation of the law. Not only do faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide, which is colourless and odourless, but they also can cause explosions and fires. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases being safely expelled out of the property which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to reduce these risks, as any issues that require to be addressed can be dealt with promptly. The landlord is also accountable to perform annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. The landlord should also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.

Thankfully, with the help of free landlord software such as BOXT, keeping track of these vital tasks is much 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 a valid CP12 within the timeframe required. This will prevent penalties and other issues that could arise from failure to follow the law.