What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate CP12?
Gas pipes and appliances in rental properties should be inspected annually by qualified engineers. The checks are also known as CP12 certificates and are required to be carried out every year.
CORGI Proforma 12, or CP12, was the official UK Gas Inspection Document until April 2009. Landlords should keep copies of their CP12 certificates for two years in case of audits.
What is a CP12?
A landlord's gas safety Cp12 certificate is an official document issued by an Gas Safe registered Engineer that confirms all gas appliances and installations inside the property have been thoroughly checked. It is an obligation for landlords in the UK to ensure their tenants' health and well-being. Landlords must organize and keep up-to-date with CP12 Gas Inspections, keep their gas systems in a good state, and give the CP12 Documentation to their tenants within a 28 day period following each inspection.
The CP12 is the abbreviation used for CORGI Proforma 12 which was the official title of the document from 1991 until April 2009. Gas Safe Register replaced the Council for Registered Gas Installers in April 2009. 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 conducted the checkup and any immediate safety precautions that are required. The location of each gas appliance is recorded, and any tests that are performed on flues and ventilation.
It's important for landlords to have a CP12 since without one, tenants can be able to report the landlord's authorities under section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. This could lead to fines or even eviction in some instances.
Faulty gas appliances can produce carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas that could be fatal if inhaled. Blockages in flues can also prevent harmful gases from leaving the property safely, creating an additional fire hazard. The CP12 also gives landlords the opportunity to inform tenants of the potential hazards within the premises.
Although it is a requirement by law to possess a CP12 but the process can be daunting for many landlords. There are services that can 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 help landlords save time and money while making sure they're current on their CP12s.
Who is responsible for the health checkups?
As a landlord, you have to provide a safe place to live for your tenants and that includes making sure that all of the gas appliances are up to standards. This is why it's so important to get CP12 checks done every year and to hand out copies of these certificates to your tenants immediately upon moving in. If a landlord fails to provide an authentic CP12 they could be fined or even sent to prison.
A CP12 document is created by a specialised gas engineer who inspects all the gas pipework, appliances, and flues in your home. The CP12 will contain the details of the engineer's name and a description of the location of each appliance and its description. The CP12 will also include an expiry date on it. When it expires, you'll have to schedule another appointment with an experienced gas safe engineer to renew it.
The CP12 is only accessible to engineers registered with the Gas Safe Register. The document is a part of the building safety regulations that are administered by the Health and Safety Executive.
Landlords are legally obligated to carry out an CP12 check on their properties at the time they rent them out. They must also keep a record of this and give a copy to their new or existing tenants. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in fines or even imprisonment for the landlord.
The responsibilities of landlords vary depending on the way in which the property is used, but there are some fundamental rules that everyone must abide by. These include making sure that the gas system and all appliances are safe for tenants to use, maintaining repairs and maintenance and supplying any documentation required when selling or moving out of a property.
It's crucial to raise the issue in a respectful manner with your landlord if you believe that they're not fulfilling their legal obligations in regards to safety in the building. You may discover that your landlord has forgotten to reserve the CP12 and you are able to offer them a second opportunity to do so. If they don't adhere to the law, you can file a complaint with HSE as an offence against public health.
What is included in a health checkup?
The CP12 is a device that can protect your tenants from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a legal requirement in the UK for landlords, so make sure to display it prominently. Also give a copy to each tenant. This will show that you value your tenants security and are taking proactive measures to maintain property standards.
A CP12 is a report that contains details of all the gas appliances and pipework within your rental property. It must be completed by a registered and certified Gas Safe engineer. It must include:
Description and location of gas appliances. The appliance's condition, whether it passed or failed the test. The name, registration number and signature of the engineer. The date of the checkup.
If any of the equipment is unsafe to use, the engineer must inform you and inform you of the needed remedial work. You must make arrangements for the equipment to be fixed before an CP12 is issued.
In addition to examining the actual appliances In addition to checking the appliances, the CP12 will also examine any exhaust systems and flues in your property. This ensures that they're operating at the right pressure, are leak-free and are operating safely. The test will also confirm that the appliances are burning gas in a correct manner.
Your CP12 will also include the dates for all future inspections. It is recommended that the next inspections take place one year after the previous one. This will ensure that you have a CP12 valid and will avoid any delays when issuing new certificates.
A CP12 certificate must be kept on file by a landlord for at least two years. You must give a 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 of your properties that you rent are inspected every year for gas appliances. If your tenant is not willing to allow access for these checks, you must write to them explaining that the safety checks are legally required and ask them to allow access. If they do not agree the request, you'll only be able to disconnect their gas after you have taken all "reasonable steps" to gain access.
How do I get a CP12?
Getting the CP12 certificate in the UK is a simple procedure that involves finding a Gas Safe Registered engineer to conduct a safety check on your home. There are numerous companies in your area that offer CP12 inspections. A quick Google search can help you locate one. Once you have found an engineer, you can schedule a time for them to visit and conduct the test.
Landlords must hold a CP12 certification before renting their property. This is to ensure that all gas appliances, fittings, and flues are working safely and properly. Gas safety regulations could result in massive fines and even imprisonment if they are not followed. A valid CP12 certificate provides landlords with the peace of mind they require to ensure their tenants are safe and they meet legal requirements.
The CP12 will indicate if each appliance has passed the safety test or failed to pass. The CP12 will also include any recommendations or repairs that are required to make an appliance safe. Landlords are required to ensure that they follow the recommended actions within 28 days. They should also provide their tenants a copy of CP12 within 28 days after the inspection.
The Health and Safety Executive may fine a landlord who does 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 who are worried about security to rent their properties.
While a CP12 could be an obligation under the law, some landlords are reluctant to perform an annual check. They typically make reasons such as forgetting, being busy or needing to go to a holiday destination. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be dangerous to the safety of tenants.
Landlords can avoid this by providing their tenants with explicit reminders about the upcoming inspection. One option is to utilize tools for managing landlords like Klipboard that allows users to schedule reminders for service appointments, which includes CP12 renewals. These reminders are sent by SMS, email or a mobile apps and can assist tenants to stay on up to date with their maintenance obligations.