What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate CP12?
Landlords are required to have the gas pipes and appliances checked by qualified engineers to ensure that they are safe. The annual checks are called CP12 certificates.
A CP12 is CORGI Proforma 12 It was the official UK gas inspection certificate until April 2009. Landlords should keep copies of their CP12 certificates for two years in case of auditing.
What is a CP12?
A landlord gas safety certificate cp12 is a document from an Gas Safe registered engineer that confirms the property's gas appliances and installations have been thoroughly examined and certified. It is required in the UK for landlords to give this certificate. This is to ensure the health and safety of their tenants. Landlords are responsible for arranging and keeping up-to-date with CP12 gas inspections, ensuring that their gas systems in good order and providing CP12 documents to their tenants within 28 days of each inspection.
The CP12 is an abbreviation of CORGI Proforma 12, which was the official name for the document from 1991 until April 2009. Gas Safe Register replaced the Council for Registered Gas Installers in April 2009. In the process, the CP12 became commonly known as the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
A CP12 will also include the name of the engineer who carried out the checkup and any immediate safety measures that are required. The location of each gas appliance is recorded along with the results of any tests carried out on the flues, ventilation or other vital information.
It is crucial that landlords have a CP12, because tenants can report landlords under section 21 of 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act. In certain cases it could lead to fines or even the possibility of eviction.
Faulty gas appliances can produce carbon monoxide. It is a colorless and odourless gas that could be fatal when inhaled. In addition, blocked flues can prevent harmful gases from safely exiting the building, creating another fire risk. The CP12 is also an opportunity for landlords to inform tenants of any potential risks in the building.
While it is legally required to keep a CP12 in place however, the process can be difficult for a lot of landlords. There are services available to help ease the process. Klipboard for instance, allows landlords to schedule annual gas inspections and get reminders regarding when to renew. These services will save time and money for landlords as well as making sure they're current on their CP12s.
Who is responsible for the examination?
As a landlord, you are responsible for providing a safe environment for your tenants. This means ensuring all gas appliances are up to standards. This is why it's crucial to have CP12 inspections done each year and to hand out copies of these certificates to your tenants when they move in. A landlord who doesn't provide a valid CP12 could be penalized, or even sent to jail.
A CP12 document is produced by a qualified gas engineer who checks every gas pipework, appliances and flues that are in your home. The CP12 will contain the engineer's details and an explanation of the location of each appliance and its description. The CP12 also has an expiry date. After it expires you'll need to make another appointment with a skilled gas safe engineer to renew it.
The CP12 is only accessible to engineers registered with the Gas Safe Register. This is due to the fact that the document is part of the building safety laws that are formulated by the Health and Safety Executive.
Landlords are legally obliged to carry out an CP12 check on their properties when they are rented out. They must also keep records of this and provide their current or new tenants with a copy of the certificate. Failure to comply with this requirement could lead to fines or even imprisonment for the landlord.
The responsibilities of landlords differ according to how the property is used but there are some general rules that everyone must adhere to. These include making sure that the gas system is safe for tenants, maintaining and fixing the property, and providing the necessary documentation for selling or moving out.
If you think that your landlord isn't adhering to their legal obligations in regards to safety in the building, it's important to bring this up with them. You may discover that your landlord didn't remember to book a CP12 and you can give them another chance to do so. If they don't comply with the laws you may report them to HSE as a crime against the public health.
What is included in the checkup?
The CP12 is a tool which can shield your tenants from poisoning by carbon monoxide. It's an obligation for landlords in the UK So ensure you display it prominently and present a copy to your tenants. This will demonstrate that you care about your tenants' safety, and take proactive steps to maintain property standards.
A CP12 report includes information about the gas appliances and pipework that are installed in your rental property. It must be prepared by a licensed and qualified Gas Safe engineer. It must comprise the following information:
Description and the location of gas appliances. If the appliance passed or failed the inspection. Name, registration number and signature of the engineer. The date of the checkup.
The engineer should inform you that any equipment is unsafe to use and give you the necessary remedial work. You should then make arrangements that it be repaired before a new CP12 is issued.
The CP12 will not only inspect the appliances in themselves but also the exhausts and flues within your home. This ensures that they're operating at the correct pressure, are not leaky and are operating safely. The test will also ensure that the appliances are burning gas properly.
As well as a report of the inspection In addition, your CP12 will also contain the dates when future checks are due. It is recommended that your next inspections are scheduled 12 months after the previous one. This will ensure that you have a CP12 valid and avoid any delays when issuance of new certificates.
A CP12 certificate must be kept on file by a landlord for a minimum of two years. You must provide a copy of the CP12 to your tenant at the time of their move-in and you must issue a new CP12 following each inspection within 28 days.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations require that you ensure that all your rented properties are checked every year for gas appliances. If your tenant is unwilling to allow you access to their property for these safety checks, you will need to write to them and explain that this is an obligation under the law. You can be asking them to allow you access. If they still refuse, you can only disconnect the gas supply after having taken all reasonable steps to gain access.
What is the best way to get CP12?
The process of obtaining a CP12 certificate in the UK is a simple process that requires you to find an engineer who is Gas Safe registered to carry out an inspection of your home. You can find many businesses in your area that offer CP12 inspections. A quick Google search will help you find one. Once you've found an engineer, you can set up an appointment with them to visit and perform the inspection.
Landlords are legally obliged to have a CP12 certificate in place prior to renting out their properties. This is to ensure that all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings are in good working order and safe. Failure to adhere to gas safety regulations could lead to hefty fines, and even prison in certain instances. Having a valid CP12 certification can also give landlords peace of assurance that they're protecting their tenants and that they are meeting the legal requirements.
The CP12 will show whether the appliance has passed the safety test or failed. It will also include any recommendations for action or repairs needed to ensure the appliance's safety. Landlords must ensure that they follow the recommended actions within 28 days. They must also provide their tenants the copy of CP12 within 28 days after the inspection.
The Health and Safety Executive may fine the landlord if they do not have a CP12 on file. They will also lose the right to expel tenants under Section 21 of 1988 Housing Act. This makes it harder for landlords to rent out their properties, particularly in the event of security issues.
While a CP12 could be a legal requirement but some landlords aren't willing to perform an annual check. Many landlords use excuses like forgetting, being busy or taking a vacation. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious threat to the health of tenants.
Landlords can prevent this by reminding their tenants of the coming inspection. Klipboard is an application that permits users to schedule reminders for appointments like CP12 renewals. These reminders can be delivered via email, SMS or via the mobile app, and will aid them in staying on top of their rental maintenance obligations.