Gas Safety Checks For Landlords
A gas safety certificate is a document that confirms that the flues and appliances in your home were inspected and certified safe by an engineer. It includes the list of all appliances that were checked, along with any immediate safety measures needed.
Landlords must submit this document prior to signing a lease. It is also known as a CP12 or CORGI Proforma 12, which was the official UK inspection document until April 2009.
What is a Gas Safety Certification?
Gas safety certificates, also referred to by the abbreviation CP12 These are official documents that prove that the appliances in your home have been inspected and deemed as safe by a certified engineer. Gas appliances and installations in rental properties must be tested and certified to ensure tenants' safety. Gas checks are mandatory for landlords. In the event of a non-conformity, it can lead to severe consequences like fines or even jail.
There are many things that a certified engineer will check during a gas safety inspection including the condition of the boiler and other appliances, making sure that they're operating correctly, checking their connection to the gas supply pipe and checking for any signs of tampering or damage, and ensuring that there is sufficient ventilation around the appliance, and that harmful gases can escape safely. The engineer will also examine the flues and chimneys to ensure they are in good working order.
Landlords must have their gas appliances certified safe by law before they can rent out their properties. It's not too late for homeowners to have their gas appliances checked and certified as safe.
The head of the certificate will contain information about the person who performed the inspection. The name of the engineer will be included along with their and Gas Safe registration numbers. This will also include the date of the inspection, as well as the address of the property where the inspection was conducted.
The body of the certificate will then include a list of all the appliances and installations inspected, indicating whether they passed or failed the inspection. The report of the inspection findings will then be presented, including any safety issues or concerns that were identified. If the property is an House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), this will be noted as will the obligations of the head landlord in the event that it's not the owner who is responsible for arranging the gas safety inspection.
How do I get an official certificate of gas safety?
If you're a landlord and want to ensure that the gas appliances in your property are safe for tenants to use, you must obtain gas safety certificates. Also known as a CP12 or Corgi Proforma 12, it is the official document that proves your property's gas appliances and installations have passed an inspection. The process to obtain one is fairly simple. MK Gas Safety begins when you find an engineer who is Gas Safe registered and willing to inspect your property. You can fill out an easy form online or contact the company directly. Once you have found an engineer they will arrange an appointment to visit your property and conduct the inspection. Landlords must provide their tenants an original copy of CP12 in no more than 28 days.
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all the flues and gas appliances in your home are maintained and in good working condition. Carbon monoxide leaks could be fatal if they are not discovered at the right time. This is why regular inspections and testing are crucial.
Once the engineer has completed the inspection, they will give you a CP12 and then sign it. It should contain the information of the engineer, including their name, registration number and the date of inspection. It should also contain an inventory of all the gas appliances and installations that were examined, along with details about whether each appliance was successful or not.
You might be required to submit the CP12 in the event that you intend to sell your house in the future. This is a standard form of document that will help speed up the conveyancing process and provide potential buyers with confidence that the property they're purchasing is gas-safe.
If you live in a shared residence or flat, it is not always the landlord's job to schedule an annual inspection and issue you a CP12. It's important to keep the date when your boiler last saw an inspection and keep a plumber on call in case something goes wrong.
Where can I find a gas safety engineer who is competent?
If you're looking to ensure the security of your gas appliances and address any issues that could arise, contacting an Gas Safe engineer is essential. These experts are licensed to conduct regular safety checks, illegal gas work, and giving you the certificate. Gas Safe Register allows you to search for gas engineers in your area.
Asking for the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is a good idea once you find one. The card will contain a photo of the engineer as well as their Gas Safe licence number, and the types of procedures they are qualified to perform. Check the back of the card to see the list of qualifications.
It is also crucial to check the engineer's license and qualifications are valid. It is not common for gas engineers who are not licensed to do unsafe work and leave you with defective appliances that could cause fires, explosions, or carbon monoxide poisoning. You can report an engineer you suspect is not Gas Safe registered by visiting the official Gas Safe Register site or calling their helpline.
Every year, landlords and homeowners are required to have gas appliances in their homes inspected by an engineer registered with Gas Safe. Failure to do so could result in fines or even a prosecution. If you're considering purchasing an investment property, it is crucial to know when the gas appliances in the house were last checked. You can usually request a copy of the Gas Safety Record from the seller, or employ an Gas Safe registered engineer to check the property's gas appliances.
Regular gas inspections aren't only required by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998, but they could also save you lots of money. By having your gas appliances regularly inspected to identify possible issues before they become serious and avoid costly repairs. Regular inspections will also assist you in avoiding hazards such as carbon monoxide, which is difficult to spot because it is not colorless and smellless.
What to expect during a gas safety check
Having regular gas safety checks is essential to reduce the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is also a requirement for landlords to have their gas appliances checked annually in accordance with the law in The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. It is essential to select a competent plumber to conduct the inspection and issue the required CP12 certificate. A good method of doing this is to ask friends and family members for recommendations or look online for reviews of local engineers.
During the gas safety check the engineer will check the gas appliances in your home. The engineer will examine the operating pressure of your gas appliances and their flame failure safety device, thermostats, and whether they are operating properly. They will also determine whether there is a carbon monoxide leak and if there are carbon monoxide alarms. They will also test the flue system and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of obstructions and that gases are able to escape safely.
If your gas appliances are currently in use it is a good idea to switch off the gas appliances an hour before the technician arrives. This will cut down on time and ensure that the appliance will be cool enough to test. It is also beneficial to get rid of any clutter or objects near your gas appliance. This will make the engineer's job easier.
After the engineer has completed and has completed their work, they will issue the CP12 certificate confirming that your gas appliances and pipes are safe to use. This certificate will be provided as both a paper and digital version for you to keep as proof of your conformity with the law. The engineer will inform you what steps to take if you have any problems.
It's important to note that a CP12 is not a boiler service and does not pay for any repairs or parts. Boiler services must be booked separately by the landlord and performed every year, if not more, to ensure that your boiler is working in the most efficient and safe way possible.