What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate CP12?
Gas pipes and appliances in rental properties must be examined annually by qualified engineers. The inspections are also known as CP12 certificates and should be performed annually.
CORGI Proforma 12, or CP12 was the official UK Gas Inspection Document up to April 2009. Landlords are required to keep copies of their CP12 certificate for two years to be reviewed.
What is what is CP12?
A landlord gas safety certificate cp12 is documentation from a Gas Safe registered engineer that certifies that the gas appliances and installations have been checked and approved. It is a legal requirement in the UK for landlords to present 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 following each inspection.
The CP12 is an abbreviation form of CORGI Proforma 12, which was the official title for the document from 1991 until April 2009. In April of that year, the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) was replaced by Gas Safe Register. The CP12 was changed to the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
A CP12 will also contain the name of the engineer who performed the checkup and any immediate safety actions that are required. The location of each gas appliance is also recorded, along with the results of any tests conducted on flues, ventilation and other essential information.
It's important for landlords to have a CP12 since without one, tenants could report the landlord to the authorities in section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. This could lead to fines and even eviction in some cases.
Gas appliances that fail can create carbon monoxide. The odorless, colorless gas can be deadly if inhaled. Additionally blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from safely leaving the property, posing an additional fire risk. The CP12 also allows landlords to inform tenants about the potential hazards within the property.
While it is legally required to maintain a CP12 in place but the process can be daunting for many landlords. There are a variety of services that can simplify the process. For example, Klipboard allows landlords to schedule their annual gas inspections in advance and receive reminders when it's time to renew. These services will save time and money for landlords while ensuring that they are up-to-date on their CP12s.
Who is responsible for the health checkups?
As a landlord, you're responsible for providing a safe environment for your tenants. This includes making sure all gas appliances are up to standards. This is why it's crucial to have CP12 inspections done each year and to provide copies of these certificates to your tenants immediately upon moving into. If a landlord fails to provide an authentic CP12 they can be fined or even sentenced to prison.
A CP12 document is created by a qualified gas engineer who inspects all the gas pipework, appliances, and flues within your home. The CP12 will contain the engineer's details and an explanation of the location of each appliance and its description. The CP12 also has an expiry date. After it expires you will have 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. The document is a part of the laws governing safety in the construction industry that are administered by the Health and Safety Executive.
Landlords are legally required to conduct a CP12 inspection on their property immediately after it is let. safety certificates must also keep a record of the check 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 vary based on the purpose of the property, however there are some basic rules that all landlords must follow. These include ensuring that the gas system is safe for tenants, maintaining and fixing the property, and providing the necessary documentation to sell or move out.
It's crucial to discuss this matter politely with your landlord if you think that they're not meeting their legal obligations in regards to safety in the building. You may discover that your landlord has neglected to book a CP12 and you can give them a second chance to do it. If they continue to not comply with the law, then you can be able to report them to the HSE for an offence against public health.
What is included in a routine checkup?
The CP12 is a tool that will protect your tenants from poisoning by carbon monoxide. It's a legal requirement for landlords in the UK therefore ensure that you keep it in your property and provide a copy to your tenants. This will show that you are concerned about your tenants' safety, and take proactive steps to maintain your property standards.
A CP12 is a report that contains information on all gas appliances and pipework within your rental property. It must be completed and signed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It will include:
Description and the location of all gas appliances. The appliance's condition, whether it have passed or failed the inspection. The name, registration number and signature of the engineer. The date of the checkup.
The engineer must inform you that any equipment is unsafe to use and give you the remedial steps required. You must make arrangements for the equipment to be repaired before the CP12 is issued.
The CP12 will not just check the appliances themselves but also the flues and exhausts in your home. This will ensure that they operate at the right pressure, are not leaky and operate safely. It also checks that the appliances are burning gas in a safe manner.
Your CP12 will also include the dates for any future inspections. It is recommended that your subsequent 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 the landlord's file for a minimum of two years. You must give an original copy of the CP12 to your tenant at the time of their move-in and you must issue an updated CP12 following each inspection within 28 days.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations stipulate that you have to ensure that all your properties that are rented are inspected for gas appliances every year. If your tenant is not willing to allow access for these checks, you must inform them that the safety checks are a legal requirement and ask them to allow you access. If they still refuse, you can only disconnect the gas supply once you have taken all'reasonable steps' to gain access.
What is the best way to get CP12?
To obtain a CP12 certificate in the UK is a straightforward process that requires locating an engineer who is Gas Safe registered to conduct a safety check on your home. There are many businesses in your area which offer CP12 inspections. A quick Google search will help you find one. Once you've located an engineer, you can schedule an appointment for them to come out and perform the inspection.
Landlords are legally obliged to be able to show a CP12 certificate before renting out their properties. This is to ensure that all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings function correctly and are safe. Failure to comply with gas safety regulations could result in heavy fines, and even prison in certain instances. A valid CP12 certification can also give landlords peace of assurance that they're protecting their tenants and meeting legal requirements.
The CP12 will provide information on whether or not each appliance has passed or failed the safety check. The CP12 will also include any recommendations or repairs required to ensure the safety of the appliance. Landlords are required to 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 could be fined by the Health and Safety Executive. They will also lose the right to evict tenants in accordance with Section 21 of 1988 Housing Act. This makes it more difficult for landlords who are worried about security to rent their properties.
While a CP12 may be a legal requirement, some landlords are reluctant to conduct an annual check. They typically make excuses such as forgetting, being too busy or needing to go out on vacation. This poses a serious threat to the safety of tenants as carbon monoxide poisoning is a hidden danger that can cause serious illness and even death.
Landlords can prevent this by providing their tenants with clear reminders of the upcoming inspection. Klipboard is an application that allows users to set reminders for appointments, like CP12 renewals. These reminders are sent via SMS, email or mobile apps, and can help tenants stay on up to date with their maintenance obligations.