What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate CP12?
Gas pipework and appliances in rental properties must be checked every year by certified engineers. These checks are also referred to as CP12 certificates and must be performed every year.
CORGI Proforma 12, or CP12, was the official UK Gas Inspection Document until April 2009. Landlords must keep copies of their CP12 certificate for 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 thoroughly examined and certified. It is required in the UK for landlords to present 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, ensure their gas systems in good condition, and provide the CP12 Documentation to their tenants within a 28 day period following each inspection.
The CP12 is the abbreviation of CORGI Proforma 12 which was the official title of the document between 1991 until April 2009. In April of that year, the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) was replaced by Gas Safe Register. This led to the CP12 was popularly referred to as the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
In addition to the details of the engineer that conducted the inspection in addition to the name of the engineer who performed the checkup, a CP12 will include the specific details of each appliance checked and any immediate actions required to ensure safety. The location of every gas appliance is documented along with the results of any tests conducted on the flues, ventilation or other vital information.
It is essential that landlords have a CP12, because tenants can complain about landlords under section 21 of 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act. In some instances, this could lead to fines or even eviction.
Gas appliances that are not working properly can produce carbon monoxide. This colourless, odourless gas can be deadly if inhaled. Blockages in flues can also stop harmful gases from exiting the property safely, creating an additional fire risk. The CP12 is also an opportunity for landlords to inform their tenants of any potential risks in the property.
While it is legally required to maintain a CP12 in place, the process can be daunting for a lot of landlords. There are services that can simplify the process. For instance, 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 both time and money, while also making sure they're up-to-date on their CP12s.
Who is responsible for the annual checkups?
As a landlord, you are responsible for providing a safe environment for your tenants. This includes ensuring that all gas appliances meet the standards. It is crucial to have CP12 inspections every year, and to provide copies of these certificates immediately after your tenants move into your property. If a landlord fails to provide a valid CP12 could be penalized, or even sent to jail.
A CP12 is a form of documentation created by a specialist engineer who will check all of the gas pipes, appliances and flues at your property. The CP12 will contain the details of the engineer's name and an explanation of the location of each appliance and its description. The CP12 will also have an expiry date on it. If it is expired, you will need to schedule another appointment with a reputable gas safe engineer to have it renewed.
The CP12 is only available to engineers registered with the Gas Safe Register. The document is part of the building safety regulations which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.
Landlords must legally conduct the CP12 inspection on their property when it is let. They are also required to keep records of this and provide their current or new tenants with a copy of the certificate. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in fines or even imprisonment for the landlord.
The responsibilities of landlords differ according to how the property is used, but there are some basic rules that everyone has to follow. This includes ensuring that the gas system and all appliances are safe for tenants to use, keeping up with repairs and maintenance, and providing any documentation required when selling or moving out of a home.
It's important to raise the issue in a respectful manner with your landlord if you feel that they're not meeting their legal obligations related to building safety. You may find that your landlord has neglected to schedule a CP12 and you can offer them a second chance to do so. If they continue not to comply with the laws you could be able to report them to HSE as an offence against public health.
What is included in a checkup?
The CP12 is an important tool that protects your tenants from the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is legally required in the UK for landlords, so be sure to display it prominently. Also give a copy to each tenant. This will demonstrate that you are committed to your tenants security and take proactive measures to ensure that your property is in good condition.
A CP12 is a report that contains details of all the gas appliances and pipework within your rental property. It must be completed and signed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It must include:
Description and the location of all gas appliances. The appliances that have passed or failed the inspection. The name, registration number and signature of the engineer. The date of the inspection.
The engineer should inform you if any equipment is unsafe to use and provide you with the remedial steps required. You must arrange for the equipment to be fixed before an CP12 can be issued.
The CP12 will not just check the appliances, but also the flues and exhausts within your home. This will ensure that they are operating at the correct pressure and free of leaks. It also checks that the appliances are burning gas in a safe manner.
In addition to a written report of the inspection, your CP12 will include the dates that all future inspections are due. It is recommended that you schedule your next inspection to be scheduled 12 months from the previous one. This will ensure that you have a CP12 valid and prevent any delays when issuance of new certificates.
A CP12 must be kept by a landlord on file for a minimum of two years. You must give a copy to your tenant when they move in and you must issue the new CP12 within 28 days after each inspection.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations require you to ensure that your properties rented to tenants are tested annually for gas appliances. If gas safety certificate check refuses to allow you to access their property to conduct these safety checks You must write to them and explain that this is a legal requirement. You can also ask them to grant you access. If they refuse, you will only be able to disconnect their gas if you take all "reasonable steps" to gain access.
How do I get a CP12?
Finding a Gas Safe certified engineer to carry out an inspection of safety on your home is the simplest method to obtain a CP12 in the UK. There are numerous companies that provide CP12 inspections, and it's a good idea conduct an easy Google search to find one near you. Once you have found an engineer, you can set up an appointment with them to visit and carry out 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 and flues work correctly and are safe. Failure to comply with gas safety regulations could lead to hefty fines and even imprisonment in some cases. A valid CP12 certificate gives landlords the peace of assurance that their tenants are safe and they are in compliance with legal requirements.
The CP12 will show whether the appliance has passed the safety test or failed. The CP12 will also list any recommendations or repairs needed to make an appliance safe. Landlords must make sure 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 also lose the right to evict tenants in accordance with Section 21 of 1988 Housing Act. This makes it more difficult for landlords worried about safety to rent their properties.
While a CP12 could be legally required, some landlords are reluctant to conduct an annual CP12 check. They typically make excuses such as not remembering, being too busy, or having to travel away on holiday. Carbon monoxide poisoning is an extremely serious threat to the safety of tenants.
Landlords can avoid this by reminding tenants of the upcoming inspection. One way to do this is to utilize tools for managing landlords like Klipboard, which allows users to set reminders for service appointments, which includes CP12 renewals. These reminders can be sent via SMS, email or through the mobile app, and will aid them in staying on top of their rental maintenance obligations.