Gas Safety Checks For Landlords
A gas safety certificate is a document that confirms that your home's flues and appliances have been examined and declared safe by a qualified engineer. It includes a list of all appliances examined, as well as any immediate safety measures required.
Landlords are legally required to provide this documentation to tenants prior to when the lease starts. 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, are official documents that confirm that the appliances in your home have been inspected and deemed as safe by a trained engineer. Gas installations and appliances in rental properties should be tested and certified to ensure the safety of tenants. Inability to conduct regular gas checks could be a cause for serious consequences, including a fine or even imprisonment.
A certified engineer will examine several elements during a gas safety inspection, including the condition of the boiler, other appliances, and their connection to the supply pipe, looking for signs of tampering or damage, and ensuring there is adequate ventilation around the appliance to ensure that harmful gases can safely escape. The engineer will also examine the flues and chimneys to make sure they are in good working order.
Landlords must have their gas appliances certified as safe under the law before they can rent their properties. It is not too late for homeowners to have their gas appliances inspected and certified as safe.
The front of the gas safety certificate will show details about the engineer who carried out the inspection, including their name and Gas Safe registration number. gas safety milton keynes will also contain the date of the inspection and the address of the building where the inspection was conducted.
The body of the certificate will then list the appliances and installations that were examined. It will indicate whether they were able to pass the inspection or not. This will be followed by a brief summary of the findings, which will include any issues or safety concerns that were identified during the course of the inspection. If the property is classified as a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) it will be noted together with the obligations of the head landlord in the event that it's not the owner who is responsible for arranging the gas safety check.
How do I get a certificate of gas safety?
Gas safety certificates are required by landlords who wish to make sure that their tenants are able safely use gas appliances. Also known as a CP12 or Corgi Proforma 12, it is the official form that demonstrates your property's gas appliances and installations have passed an inspection. The process to obtain one is quite simple. It all starts when you locate a Gas Safe registered engineer that's willing to conduct an inspection of your property. You can complete an easy online form or contact the company directly. When you have found an engineer, they will schedule a time to visit your property. Landlords are required to provide their tenants with a copy of CP12 within no more than 28 days.
As a property owner, it is your obligation to ensure that all gas appliances and flues are in good condition and properly maintained. Carbon monoxide leaks can cause fatalities if not detected at the right time. Regular inspections and certifications are essential because of this.
Once the engineer has completed the inspection, they'll issue you with a CP12 and then sign it. It should contain information about the engineer, including their name and registration number, as well as the date of the inspection. It should also contain an inventory of all the gas appliances and installations that were examined, along with details about whether each appliance passed or failed the inspection.
If you are planning to sell your home in the near future, you may be asked to sign the CP12 when you are planning to sell your home. This is a standard document that will speed up the conveyancing process and give potential buyers confidence that the property they're buying is safe to use gas.
If you live in a flat or shared home it's not always your landlord's responsibility to arrange the annual inspection and provide you with the CP12. It's important to keep the date when your boiler last saw a service and have a plumber on call in the event of a problem.
Where can I find an engineer for gas safety who is competent?
If you're looking to ensure the safety of your home's gas appliances and address any issues that may arise, finding an Gas Safe engineer is essential. They are certified to conduct routine safety checks, illegal gas work, as well as giving you an official certificate. Gas Safe Register allows you to find gas engineers in your area.
If you find an engineer, it is an excellent idea to request their Gas Safe ID card. The card will contain a photo of the engineer and their Gas Safe licence number, and the type of procedure they are qualified to perform. It's an excellent idea to examine the back of the card to find an overview of their qualifications.
You should also make sure the engineer has been certified for a time and that their license is valid. Gas engineers who are not licensed are known to carry out dangerous work, leaving you with faulty appliances which could cause fires, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning. You can report an engineer who you suspect is not registered with Gas Safe by visiting the official Gas Safe Register site or calling their helpline.
Landlords and homeowners are required to ensure that their homes' gas appliances are inspected by an Gas Safe registered engineer every year. Infractions to this requirement can result in fines and even prosecution. If you're considering purchasing a property, it is essential to determine when the gas appliances in the house were last examined. You can typically request a copy of the Gas Safety Record from the seller, or hire an Gas Safe registered engineer to check the property's gas appliances.
In addition to being a requirement of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 Regular gas inspections can also save you money. Conducting regular inspections of your gas appliances will allow you to spot issues before they become more severe and can save you money on repairs. Moreover, regular inspections can also help you avoid dangers like carbon monoxide leaks that are difficult to spot because they are colourless and odourless.
What can you expect when you go through a gas safety check
Regular gas safety checks are vital to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. It is also a requirement for landlords to check their gas appliances every year in accordance with the law in The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998. It is important that you choose a plumber that is certified to conduct the inspection and issue the CP12 certificate. One way to do this is to ask friends and family for recommendations or browse on the internet for reviews of local engineers.
When conducting a gas safety test the engineer will check all your gas appliances. The engineer will test the operating pressure of your gas appliances, their flame failure safety device, thermostats and ensure that they are in working order. They will also check if there is a carbon monoxide leak and if there's carbon monoxide alarms. Then they will test the chimney and flue system to make sure that there aren't any blockages and that gases are able to escape safely.
It's a great idea switch off your gas appliances at least an hour before the technician arrives. This will save time and ensure that the appliance is sufficiently cool to allow testing. It is also a good thing to clear any clutter or objects close to your gas appliance. This will make the engineer's job simpler.
The engineer will issue a CP12 certificate that confirms the safety of your gas appliances and pipework. The certificate will be issued in both a paper and digital version that you can keep as proof of your conformity with the law. If you have any concerns, the engineer will advise you of the steps to correct them.
It's important to note that a CP12 is not a boiler repair service and does not cover the cost of any repairs or parts. The landlord should book boiler services separately and carry out them at least once a year to ensure your boiler is running effectively and safely as it can.