What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate CP12?
Landlords are required to have their gas pipework and appliances inspected by certified engineers to ensure they are safe. The inspections are also known as CP12 certificates and are required to be conducted every year.
A CP12 is CORGI Proforma 12 - it was the official UK gas inspection document up to April 2009. Landlords must keep copies of their CP12 certificate for two years to be reviewed.
What is a CP12?
A landlord's gas safety cp12 certificate is an official document issued by a Gas Safe registered Engineer that confirms that all gas appliances and installations in the property have been inspected. It is a requirement in the UK for landlords to provide this certificate. This is to ensure the safety and health of their tenants. Landlords must arrange and keep up-to-date with CP12 Gas Inspections, maintain their gas systems in a good condition, and send the CP12 Documentation to their tenants within a 28-day period of each inspection.
The CP12 is the abbreviation used for CORGI Proforma 12 which was the official title of the document between 1991 and April 2009. Gas Safe Register replaced the Council for Registered Gas Installers in April 2009. 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 checkup and any immediate safety measures that are required. The location of each gas appliance is recorded as are any tests conducted on the flues and vents.
It is essential for landlords to have a CP12 because without one, tenants can report the landlord to the authorities under section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. This could lead to fines or even eviction in certain cases.
Gas appliances that are not working properly can create carbon monoxide. It is a colorless and odourless gas that can be fatal when inhaled. In addition blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from exiting the premises, posing an additional fire hazard. The CP12 also gives landlords the opportunity to inform tenants of the potential hazards within the property.
While it is a requirement by law to possess a CP12, the process can be a bit daunting for landlords. There are services available to simplify the process. For instance, Klipboard allows landlords to schedule their annual gas inspections in advance 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 health checkup?
As a landlord, you are responsible for providing a secure environment for your tenants. This includes ensuring that all gas appliances comply with standards. It is crucial to have CP12 inspections every year, and provide copies of these certificates when your tenants move into your property. If a landlord fails to provide a valid CP12 they could be penalized or even sentenced to prison.
A CP12 document is prepared by a qualified gas engineer who inspects every gas pipework, appliances and flues within your home. The CP12 contains the engineer's contact information and an explanation and the location of each appliance. The CP12 will also have an expiry date on it. When it expires, you will have to make another appointment with a skilled gas safe engineer in order 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 a part the regulations on building safety that are set by the Health and Safety Executive.
Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a CP12 inspection of their properties at the time they lease them out. They are also required to keep records of this and provide their existing or new tenants with a copy of the certificate. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in penalties or even jail time for the landlord.
The responsibilities of landlords are different according to how the property is used but there are some basic rules that everyone has to adhere to. These include making sure that the gas system is safe for tenants, maintaining and repairing the property, and providing all documentation required for selling or moving out.
If you believe that your landlord isn't upholding their legal obligations regarding building safety, then it's important to bring the matter to them. It's possible that they did not schedule an appointment for a CP12 appointment, and by bringing up the issue, you'll give them a chance to make it happen before they face any penalties. If they continue to not adhere to the law, then you can report them to the HSE for a crime against public health.
What is included in a health checkup?
The CP12 is a crucial tool to protect your tenants from the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is an obligation under the law in the UK for landlords, so make sure to display it prominently. Also give a copy to every tenant. This will show that you are committed to your tenants security and are taking proactive measures to ensure the standards of your property are maintained.
A CP12 is a report that contains details of all the gas appliances and pipework in your rental property. It must be completed and signed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It must comprise the following information:
Description and location of gas appliances. The appliances that have passed or failed the inspection. Name, registration number and signature of the engineer. The date of the inspection.
If any of the equipment isn't safe to use, the engineer must inform you and advise you of the required remedial work. You must make arrangements that the equipment be fixed before the CP12 can be issued.
In addition to inspecting the actual appliances, the CP12 will also check any exhaust systems and flues in your home. gas certificate ensures they are working at the correct pressure, are leak-free and that they operate safely. The test will also ensure that the appliances are burning gas in a correct manner.
Along with a report of the inspection, your CP12 will also contain the dates when future inspections are due. It is recommended that your next inspections take place 12 months after the previous one. This will ensure that you have a CP12 valid and prevent 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 provide an original copy of the CP12 to your tenant at the time of their move-in, and you must issue an updated CP12 after each inspection within 28 days.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations require that you ensure that all your properties that you rent are inspected annually for gas appliances. If your tenant refuses to allow you access to their property for these safety checks then you must write to them and explain that this is an obligation under the law. You can also ask them to give you access. If they do not agree to allow access, you may only shut off the gas supply after having taken all reasonable steps to gain access.
How do I get a CP12?
The process of obtaining an CP12 certificate in the UK is a simple procedure that involves finding a Gas Safe Registered engineer to conduct the safety inspection on your property. You can find many companies in your local area that provide CP12 inspections. A quick Google search will help you find one. Once you've located an engineer, you can arrange an appointment with them to arrive and conduct the test.
Landlords are legally obliged to have a CP12 certificate in place before renting out their properties. This is to ensure that all gas appliances, fittings, and flues are safe and working properly. Infractions to the regulations on gas safety could result in heavy penalties and even jail time in certain instances. The valid CP12 certification can also give landlords peace of mind that they are protecting their tenants and complying with the legal requirements.
The CP12 will indicate whether or not each appliance has been able to pass or fail the safety check. It will include any recommendations for action or repairs that are required to make the appliance safe. Landlords must act within 28 days. They must also provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
If a landlord doesn't have a CP12 in place, they could be fined by the Health and Safety Executive. They will also lose the right to evict 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 an obligation under the law but some landlords aren't willing to conduct an annual check. They typically make reasons like forgetting, being busy or going to a holiday destination. Carbon monoxide poisoning could pose an extremely serious threat to the safety of tenants.
Landlords can prevent this by reminding their tenants of the coming inspection. One option is to utilize tools for managing landlords like Klipboard, which allows users to set reminders for service appointments, such as CP12 renewals. These reminders can be delivered via SMS, email or through the mobile app, and can help them stay on top of their obligations to maintain their rental.