CP12 Certificates? CORGI? Gas Safe register? Let's learn more about these landlord safety records...
If you are a landlord, it's your legal obligation to ensure you have an up-to-date CP12 certificate, also referred to as a gas safety certificate for each of your rental properties.
Without a valid CP12 certificate, you are in conflict with your obligations, so it makes sense to learn about the process, your legal requirements and everything else that's important to know about the CP12 gas safety certificate.
So, here goes...
PS Are you a landlord who needs a new boiler and a CP12 certificate? Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and you could get it installed as quick as tomorrow (including your gas safety certificate).
Gas Safety Certificate vs CP12 Certificate
Some people get confused by all of the many different names given to landlord safety certificates. Examples include CP12 certificates, CORGI certificates, landlord safety certificates and gas safety certificates, essentially they all refer to the same thing.
What does CP12 mean? The acronym CP12 stands for "CORGI Proforma 12".
From 1991 to 2009, the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) was responsible for the regulation of gas safety in the UK. But, in 2009 this changed and was replaced by the Gas Safe register.
From then on, the CP12 certificate officially adopted new names, such as the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Gas Safety Record, but many people continue to refer to it as the CP12.
PS Although there's no such thing as a homeowners gas safety certificate e.g. private homeowners, there are certain steps you can do to ensure your home is safe i.e. maintaining your gas safety records.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A CP12 certificate is proof that a landlord has achieved the legal requirement to test the safety of the gas appliances in their property.
If gas appliances are not installed correctly or not maintained and serviced, they can be a health hazard and pose a potential safety risk.
That is why a registered Gas Safe engineer is requested to legally test the equipment every year.
If a landlord does not attain a CP12 certificate for each and every one of their rental properties, fines can be issued, as well as potential jail time.
Safety checks need to be carried out on any and all types of gas appliances including gas boilers, fireplaces, chimneys and exhausts.
During the process and prior to issuing your CP12 certificate, the gas engineer will carry out the following types of checks:
Check that the equipment is operating at the correct pressure.
Check the appliances are combusting gas normally.
Check that there is sufficient air supply to the equipment.
Check that flues and exhausts are clearing fumes safely and without leaks.
That all appliances are operating as they are designed to.
After the engineer has executed all of the above checks, they will issue a valid CP12 certificate that will include the following details:
Name, ID number and signature of the Gas Safe registered engineer.
Date of the inspection.
Name and address of the landlord or letting agent.
Address of the property.
Location and details about each and every piece of equipment tested.
All issues and any action needed to remedy them.
Confirmation from the engineer that the check was completed properly, in compliance with legislation.
Date of the next scheduled gas safety check (typically one year from the date of issue).
Important reminder: if you have new tenants who are going to be moving into your property shortly, it's recommended that you organise a CP12 appointment shortly. New tenants are legally entitled to a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of moving in.
What if problems arise during the safety check?
If the registered Gas Safe engineer detects any problems during his audit of your gas appliances, he or she will advise the necessary steps to take in order to get your property back to a safe standard.
If these measures/fixes can't be carried out immediately, it is your responsibility as the landlord to make sure they do not get used by anyone.
During the entire process of checks and repairs, you should be making sure you have a complete and detailed paper trail of everything that has been done and that has been advised.
It is recommended that you keep a full record of gas safety checks and any associated work for at least 2 years.
CP12 Certificate Example:
How long will a Gas Safety Check take?
This will largely depend on the size of the rental property and how many gas appliances and equipment need to be tested and checked by the engineer.
On average, a Gas Safety check takes around 30-40 minutes to complete, however, if any issues are found during the audit and you decide to repair them, this will of course add more time and mean more cost.
To avoid delays, it's advised that you ensure all appliances are easily accessible and that there is enough gas in the property to operate all of the equipment without disruptions i.e. if your tenants have a gas meter, ensure it has adequate credit to keep the appliances running during the checks.
Who can provide the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate?
Not just anybody can issue a CP12 certificate, in fact, they have to be registered with Gas Safe. It's easy to verify if the person is on the register by looking at the official Gas Safe website.
Simply ask for the engineer's Gas Safe number and you can easily and quickly check their status online.
The engineer should carry around a Gas Safe card, which will also detail where they are authorised to operate within the UK.
Here is an example of a Gas Safe Register ID card:
How much does a Gas Safe Certificate cost?
Just like any type of contractor and company, they will all offer their own prices, so it's worth requesting a quote from several engineers within your area.
On average you can expect to pay from around £60, all the way up to £150, which of course varies depending on the size of your property, the number of gas appliances and how long the safety check will take to complete.
Unfortunately, the Gas Safe register does not control the price of safety checks, but as mentioned already, it's always advised to seek quotes from multiple vendors.
Bear in mind, that these costs do not include any repairs that may need to be carried out on your home/or appliances to get them to the standard required to pass the safety check.
Need a CP12 & New Boiler?
A CP12 certificate is a type of safety certificate required for all landlords who have had a new boiler installed in their rental properties.
The good news is that you can order this at the same time as you get your new combi boiler installed with Heatable. Simply add it to your cart when you are at the checkout.
CP12 Certificates & Boilers for Landlords Conclusion
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