What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate CP12?
Gas pipework and appliances in rental properties must be checked every year by certified engineers. The checks are also known as CP12 certificates and must be conducted annually.
A CP12 is CORGI Proforma 12 - it was the official UK gas inspection document until April 2009. Landlords should keep copies of their CP12 certificates for two years for potential audits.
What is a CP12?
A landlord gas safety certificate cp12 is documentation from an Gas Safe registered engineer that confirms the property's gas appliances and installations have been thoroughly inspected and passed. 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 responsible for scheduling and keeping up to date with CP12 gas inspections, maintaining their gas systems in good working order and providing the CP12 documentation to their tenants within 28 days after each inspection.
The CP12 is the abbreviation used for 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 referred to as the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
A CP12 will also contain the name of the engineer who performed the inspection, as well as any immediate safety precautions that are required. The location of every gas appliance is documented along with the results of any tests carried out on flues, ventilation and other important information.
It is essential for landlords to have a CP12 because without one, tenants can be able to report the landlord's authorities in section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. In some instances it could lead to fines or even the possibility of eviction.
Gas appliances that fail can create carbon monoxide. This colourless, odourless gas can be deadly when inhaled. Blockages in flues can also hinder harmful gases from leaving the building safely, resulting in an additional fire hazard. The CP12 also gives landlords the chance to inform tenants of any risks that could be present in a property.
Although it is required by law to possess a CP12, the process can be a bit daunting for landlords. There are a variety of services that can help 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 will save time and money for landlords as well as ensuring that they are up-to-date on their CP12s.
Who is responsible for the checkup?
As a landlord you are responsible for providing a safe environment for your tenants. This means ensuring all gas appliances comply with standards. This is why it's so important to have CP12 checks carried out every year and to provide copies of these certificates to your tenants as soon as they move into. A landlord who fails to provide a valid CP12 could be fined or even sent to jail.
A CP12 document is produced by a qualified gas engineer who checks all the gas pipework, appliances and flues that are in your home. The CP12 will include the engineer's details as well as an explanation of the location of each appliance and its description. The CP12 also has an expiry date. Once it has expired you must schedule another appointment with a reputable gas safe engineer to get it renewed.
The CP12 is only accessible to engineers registered with the Gas Safe Register. The document is a part of the laws governing safety in the construction industry, which are governed by the Health and Safety Executive.
Landlords are legally obliged to conduct an CP12 inspection of their properties when they are rented out. They are also required to keep a record of this and give a copy to their current or new tenants. Failure to do this could lead to fines or even imprisonment for the landlord.
The responsibilities of landlords differ depending on the way in which the property is used but there are some general rules that everyone has to adhere to. This includes ensuring that the gas system and appliances are safe for tenants to use, keeping up with maintenance and repairs and providing any documentation required when selling or moving out of a home.
If you believe that your landlord isn't upholding their legal obligations regarding building safety, then it's a good idea to bring this issue to them. It's possible that they simply forgot to book an appointment with a CP12 appointment and by raising the issue, you'll give them the chance to do so before they are subject to any penalties. If they fail to comply with the laws, you could be able to report them to HSE as a crime against the public health.
What is included in a routine checkup?
The CP12 is a tool which can shield your tenants from poisoning by carbon monoxide. It's legally required for landlords in the UK, so make sure you display it prominently and provide a copy to your tenants. This will show that you prioritize your tenants' safety and you take proactive steps to ensure that your property is maintained to standards.
A CP12 is an inspection report that provides information about all gas appliances and pipework that are in your rental property. It must be completed by a licensed and qualified Gas Safe engineer. It will include:
Description and location of gas appliances. The appliance's condition, whether it passed or failed the inspection. The name or registration number, as well as the signature of the engineer. The date of the checkup.
If any of the equipment isn't safe to use, the engineer should inform you and advise you of the necessary remedial steps. You should then make arrangements for it to be repaired before the new CP12 is issued.
In addition to inspecting the appliances In addition to checking the appliances, the CP12 will also examine any exhaust systems and flues in your property. This will make sure that they operate at the right pressure and free of leaks. The test will also confirm that the appliances are burning gas in a correct manner.
As well as a report of the inspection, your CP12 will also include the dates that all future inspections are due. It is recommended that the next inspections are scheduled 12 months after the previous one. This will ensure that you have a current CP12 and avoid any delays in the process of distributing new certificates to your tenants.
A CP12 certificate must be kept on file by a landlord for a minimum of two years. You must give the certificate to your tenant each time they move in. Additionally, you must give a new CP12 within 28 days of the date of each inspection.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations stipulate that you must ensure all your properties rented to tenants have their gas appliances checked every year. However, if your tenant is not willing to allow access for these checks, you must send them a letter explaining that the safety checks are a legal requirement and ask them to grant access. If they do not agree the request, you'll only be able to shut off their gas if you take all "reasonable steps" to gain access.
How do I obtain a CP12?
To obtain the CP12 certificate in the UK is a straightforward process that involves finding an engineer registered with Gas Safe to carry out an inspection of your property. There are a variety of companies that offer CP12 inspections, and it's a good idea to conduct an easy Google search to locate one near you. Once you've located an engineer, you can schedule an appointment with them to come and carry out the test.
Landlords are legally required have a CP12 certificate in place before renting their properties. This is to ensure that all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings are safe and working properly. Gas safety regulations can lead to severe fines or even jail time when they are not adhered to. A valid CP12 certificate gives landlords the peace of mind they require to ensure their tenants are safe and that they meet legal requirements.
The CP12 will indicate if each appliance has passed the safety test or failed. The CP12 will also contain any recommendations or repairs needed to make an appliance safe. Landlords must respond within 28 days. They must also provide their tenants copies of CP12 within 28 days after the inspection.
If a landlord doesn't have a CP12 in place, they may be punished by the Health and Safety Executive. They also lose the right to evict tenants in accordance with Section 21 of 1988 Housing Act. This makes it more difficult for landlords to rent out their properties, particularly in the event of security concerns.
While a CP12 is a legal requirement for landlords, there are some who are hesitant to conduct an annual inspection. Many landlords use excuses such as forgetting, being busy, or going on vacation. This can be a serious risk to tenant safety, as carbon monoxide poisoning is a hidden danger that can cause serious illness and even death.
Landlords can stop this from happening by providing their tenants with explicit reminders about the upcoming inspection. One option is to use an application for managing landlords, such as Klipboard which allows users to set reminders for service appointments, such as CP12 renewals. These reminders are sent by SMS, email or mobile apps and will assist tenants to stay on up to date with their maintenance obligations.