What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate CP12?
Landlords are required to get their property's gas pipework and appliances checked by qualified experts to ensure that they are safe. The checks are also known as CP12 certificates and should be conducted every year.
CORGI Proforma 12, or CP12, was the official UK Gas Inspection Document until April 2009. Landlords have to keep copies their CP12 certificate for a period of two years, in order to be reviewed.
What is a CP12?
A landlord gas safety certificate cp12 is a document from a Gas Safe registered engineer that certifies that the gas appliances and installations have been examined and certified. It is a legal requirement in the UK for landlords to give this certificate. This is to ensure the health and safety of their tenants. Landlords are required to arrange and stay up-to-date with CP12 Gas Inspections, keep their gas systems in a good condition, and provide the CP12 Documentation to their tenants within a 28 day time frame following each inspection.
The CP12 is the abbreviation for CORGI Proforma 12 which was the official title of the document between 1991 and April 2009. In April of that year, the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) was replaced by Gas Safe Register. As a result, the CP12 became commonly known as the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
A CP12 will also contain the name of the engineer who conducted the inspection and any immediate safety actions that are required. The location of each gas appliance is recorded, along with any tests performed on ventilation and flues.
It is important that landlords have a CP12, because tenants can file complaints against landlords in accordance with section 21 of the 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act. In some instances this could result in fines or even the possibility of eviction.
Gas appliances that fail can release carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas that could be fatal when inhaled. Filter obstructions can hinder harmful gases from leaving the building safely, resulting in an additional fire hazard. The CP12 is also an opportunity for landlords to inform tenants of any risks that could be present in the building.
While it is legally required to maintain a CP12 in place but the process can be difficult for a lot of landlords. Luckily, there are services that can help make the process simpler. For example, Klipboard allows landlords to schedule their annual gas inspections ahead of time and receive reminders when it's time to renew. These services can save landlords time and money while making sure they're current on their CP12s.
Who is responsible for the checkup?
As landlords, you need to provide a secure place to live for your tenants, and this means ensuring that all of the gas appliances meet standards. It is essential to have CP12 inspections conducted every year, and to provide copies of these certificates when your tenants move in. If a landlord fails to provide an authentic CP12 could be penalized, or even sent to jail.
A CP12 document is produced by a qualified gas engineer who inspects all the gas pipework, appliances, and flues in your home. The CP12 will include the details of the engineer and a description of the location of each appliance and its description. The CP12 will also include an expiry date on it. After gas certificates expires you'll need to make another appointment with a qualified gas safe engineer to renew it.
It is also important to note that the CP12 can only be produced by engineers who are registered with the Gas Safe Register. This is because the document is part of the regulations on building safety, which are determined by the Health and Safety Executive.
Landlords are legally required to conduct the CP12 inspection on their property when it is rented. They are also required to keep records of this and provide their existing or new tenants with a copy of the certificate. If the landlord fails to comply, they could be fined or imprisoned.
The responsibilities of landlords vary depending on the way in which the property is used but there are some general guidelines that everyone must follow. These include making sure that the gas system is safe for tenants, repairing and maintaining the property, and supplying the necessary documentation to sell or move out.
It's crucial to discuss this matter in a respectful manner with your landlord if you feel that they're not fulfilling their legal obligations with regard to safety in the building. You may find that your landlord has forgotten to book a CP12 and you could give them another chance to do so. If they continue to not comply with the law, you can report them to the HSE for an offence against public health.
What is included in the examination?
The CP12 is an important tool to protect your tenants from the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a legal requirement in the UK for landlords, so be sure to display it prominently. Also give an exemplar to each tenant. This will demonstrate that you are concerned about your tenants' safety, and take proactive steps to maintain your property standards.
A CP12 is an inspection report that provides information about all gas appliances and pipework in your rental property. It should be completed by a licensed and qualified Gas Safe engineer. It will comprise the following information:
Description and the location of gas appliances. The appliances that passed or failed inspection. The name of the engineer, registration number and signature of the engineer. The date of the inspection.
If the equipment isn't safe to use, the engineer has to inform you and inform you of the required repairs. You must then make arrangements to have it repaired before a new CP12 can be issued.
The CP12 will not just check the appliances in themselves, but also the exhausts and flues in your home. This ensures that they're operating at the right pressure, are not leaky and operate safely. It also ensures that the appliances are burning gas in a safe manner.
Your CP12 will also contain the dates for future inspections. It is recommended that you schedule your next inspections to take place one year after the previous one. This will ensure that you always have a CP12 valid and avoid any delays when you issue new certificates.
A CP12 certificate must be kept on file by a landlord for a minimum of two years. You must present the certificate to your tenant at the time they move in and you must issue an updated CP12 within 28 days of each inspection.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations stipulate that you must ensure that all your properties rented to tenants have their gas appliances inspected annually. If your tenant is unwilling to let you into their property to conduct these safety checks, you will need to write to them and explain that this is an obligation under the law. You should also ask them to give access. If they do not agree, you will only be able to disconnect their gas after taking all "reasonable steps" to gain access.
How do I get a CP12?
Getting a CP12 certificate in the UK is a simple procedure that requires locating a Gas Safe Registered engineer to conduct a safety check on your home. There are numerous companies that provide CP12 checks and it is a good idea to do a quick Google search to locate one near you. Once you've located an engineer, you can set a time to have them arrive and conduct the test.
Landlords must possess a CP12 certification before renting their homes. This is to ensure that all gas appliances, fittings, and flues are working safely and properly. Infractions to gas safety regulations could result in heavy fines, and even prison in certain instances. The valid CP12 certification also gives landlords peace assurance that they're protecting their tenants and meeting legal requirements.
The CP12 will indicate if each appliance has passed the safety test or failed to pass. It will include any suggestions for actions or repairs that are needed to make the appliance safe. Landlords must respond within 28 days. They must also provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 certificate within 28 days from the date of the inspection.
If a landlord doesn't have a CP12 in place, they may be punished by the Health and Safety Executive. In addition, they will lose the right to expel their tenants using Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. This makes it more difficult for landlords worried about the safety of renting their properties.
While a CP12 could be legally required, some landlords are reluctant to perform an annual check. They often give reasons like not remembering, being too busy, or having to travel out on vacation. Carbon monoxide poisoning could pose dangerous to the safety of tenants.
Landlords are able to prevent this by reminding their tenants of the coming inspection. One such way is to utilize tools for managing landlords like Klipboard, which allows users to schedule reminders for service appointments, including CP12 renewals. These reminders can be delivered via email, SMS or via the mobile app. They can help them stay on top of their obligations to maintain their rental.