Gas Safety Certificate Replacement - How to Get One
You'll need a new gas safety certificate as soon as is possible in the event that yours was lost, destroyed or stolen. This doesn't need to be an expensive process.
Landlords must obtain a gas safety certificate (CP12) for each of their properties, and then renew it when the current one expires. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines.
What is a gas safety certification?
Gas safety certificates are the official paperwork given to landlords and homeowners after an Gas Safe registered Engineer has conducted an inspection of the gas appliances and installations in their property. It is crucial for health and legal reasons.
Gas Safety Certificates are typically provided on a standardised format in black and yellow. They will include the date, the date of inspection, the engineer's name, the address, and any repairs or issues that were found. It will also list all the gas appliances and installations that were inspected and will also indicate the fact that each one was able to pass or fail the safety inspections.
If any of the appliances or installations were classified as ID (immediate danger) or AR (at risk) The certificate will indicate this, and will also declare that they should be repaired or replaced immediately. The certificate will also note any appliances that were deemed as NCS (not to current standards) and that these should be replaced as soon as possible with newer models.
Gas safety professionals should be contacted as soon as possible by landlords who need an upgrade to their Gas Safety Certificate. The earlier they contact a gas safety professional, the more likely they are to receive their new certificate issued before their old one expires. Gas Safety Certificates expire and could result in fines or even imprisonment. It is recommended to get a new one before the old one expires.
Homeowners who are looking to sell their home should also make sure that they have a valid Gas Safety Certificate before putting it on the market. This will help put potential buyers' minds at ease about the safety of the property's gas appliances and installations, and may also entice them to buy the property.
It is not mandatory to possess a Gas Safety Certificate, but it is highly recommended. It can provide peace of mind and help to spot any issues early, which can help ensure the safety of your family and reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Who is in need of a certificate of gas safety?
Landlords are required to have their gas appliances checked by a registered engineer every 12 months and must provide tenants with a copy the certificate. This ensures that the landlord has taken steps to keep their property safe for the tenants and minimises the chance of a fire or accident arising from poorly maintained gas appliances. Landlords who do not have a valid gas safety certificate may be subject to penalties, or even criminal charges, so it is essential that they arrange to obtain a replacement CP12 as soon as possible.
The CP12 will not only confirm that all appliances are safe to use however, it will also let you know if any are unfit for purpose and, therefore, risky. The CP12 will identify any appliances that aren't fit for use. They will be identified with an ID code, AR, or NCS. This means that they must be replaced as soon as possible or risk immediate danger. If necessary the engineer has to ask permission to remove any appliance they believe to be unsafe.
Gas engineers, gas fitters and installers have to renew their CP12 every year to continue working legally. In reality, if the landlord is found to be in breach and charged with a crime, they could be prosecuted for letting their property out without a current CP12.
A CP12 replacement is also required if the original certificate has been lost or misplaced. If the original engineer appears on the Gas Safe Register they should be able to locate the record of inspection and issue a copy CP12 certificate. If not, a gas engineer can use the address of the property and date of inspection to search the Gas Safe Register.
For those looking to sell their home having the presence of a valid gas safety certification can help to increase the odds of a quick sale. Potential buyers will feel more confident knowing that the house was properly inspected and that all appliances are safe.
How can I get a certificate of gas safety?
There are many ways for landlords to get a gas safety certification. You can use a service that specialises in supplying certificates, or contact your local gas engineer and request them to come out and inspect your appliances. You will receive a copy of their certificate once they've completed the inspection. It is also recommended to give a copy of the certificate to your tenants either within 28 days after the inspection or at the start of their tenure.
Verify that the engineers conducting these inspections are Gas Safe registered and can show you their ID when they visit your home. They will make sure there aren't any leaks in the pipes, and that the flues and chimneys are not blocked to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide build-up. They will also ensure that the gas appliances are operating properly and that the ventilation is not blocked.
A gas safety certificate is a crucial document for any landlord, and should be properly preserved for future reference. The landlord can use it in a variety of situations for example, when selling the property, to prove that they have a warranty in the event of a disaster, or to avoid legal issues.
To avoid legal issues, a duplicate of the original document needs to be made as soon as possible in the event that it gets lost or destroyed. A duplicate could be a physical copy or a digital copy and it should be kept in a secure area to ensure its safe storage.
Gas safety certificates aren't subject to an extension of grace period, therefore it is crucial to renew them prior to their expiry date. If you don't complete this task, you could face hefty fines or even imprisonment.
Some landlords face difficulties getting access to their homes to conduct annual gas safety inspections. If you have a tenant who is not willing to let you in you should consider sending them a clearly written letter explaining why the checks are required. This can often convince them to allow you in. If it is not the case, you may start the eviction process by serving them with a Section 21 notice.
How much does a gas safety certificate cost?
The cost of gas safety certificates is contingent on several factors, including the quantity and type of appliances present in the property, its location, and the engineer's rates. The more number of appliances that are in a home and the larger the house, the more costly the inspection will be. However, Milton Keynes Gas Safety can usually find discounts and deals on these services if they shop around and look at prices. It is also beneficial to look into getting quotes from multiple engineers before making a decision.
The main purpose of the gas safety certificate is to confirm that all gas appliances and pipes are safe to use in a house, so the engineer will carry out a variety of tests. These will include checking that gas appliances are fitted correctly, ensuring there is adequate ventilation, testing the flues to ensure that harmful gases aren't released into the building, and making sure that there aren't any danger leaks in pipes or appliances.
The law requires landlords to conduct regular gas safety inspections of their rental properties. These checks are an important element of the landlord's responsibility and ensure that tenants live in a secure, comfortable house. A CP12 certificate of gas safety, also known as a landlord gas record, is evidence that regular inspections are completed. It will also detail the results of tests conducted on each gas appliance that is in the property. The CP12 will include any actions taken by the engineer as a result and the name and registration of the engineer who performed the test.
It is recommended to have a gas safety inspection done before new tenants move into the property. However this isn't always feasible. In these instances, it is best if you schedule the inspection a minimum of a week before the expiration date of the current inspection. This will allow you to avoid any premium charges which could be charged for an emergency or last-minute inspection.
It's also worth considering the possibility of a service agreement, which can combine gas safety inspections and boiler servicing in one practical package. They are more expensive than organizing the services separately, but can save landlords money over time by cutting down on maintenance costs.