Gas Safety Certificate Replacement - How to Get One
If your gas safety certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed you'll have to obtain an updated one as soon as you can. However, this doesn't have to be an expensive process.
Landlords are required to get a gas safety certificate (CP12) and renew it every time the current certificate expires. In the event of a non-compliant, it could result in heavy fines.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate is the official document that is given to landlords and homeowners after an Gas Safe registered engineer has examined their home's gas appliances and installations. It is crucial for health and legal reasons.
A Gas Safety Certificate will usually be on the standard form that is black and yellow and will contain the date of the inspection, the details of the engineer, the address of the property and information about any issues discovered or repairs made. It will also list all the gas appliances and installations that were examined, and it will note the fact that each one was able to pass or fail the safety checks.
The certificate will show the appliances or installations that were rated as AR (at risk) or ID (immediate threat) and will recommend that they should be repaired or changed immediately. The certificate will also list any appliances that are classified as NCS (not in compliance with current standards) and state that they must be replaced with more modern models as soon as possible.
gas safety certificate homeowner who require a Gas Safety Certificate replacement should contact a gas safety professional as soon as possible. The earlier they get in touch, the more likely they will to be able to have their new certificate issued prior to when their old one expires. If the landlord's Gas Safety Certificate expires, they risk being penalized, or even imprisoned, which is why it is recommended to have a new certificate in place before the current one expires.
Before putting their property for sale, homeowners who want to sell it should make sure they have an Gas Safety Certificate. This will put potential buyers at ease and will encourage them to buy the property.
It is not required to possess a Gas Safety Certificate, but it is highly recommended. It will give peace of mind and aid to spot any issues early, thereby helping keep your family safe and reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Who requires an official certificate of gas safety?
Landlords must have their gas appliances checked every 12 months by a registered engineer and give a copy to their tenants. This is to ensure that the landlord has taken necessary steps to make the property safe for their tenants and minimises any risk of accidents resulting from poorly maintained appliances. Landlords without a valid gas safety certification may be subject to fines or even criminal charges, so it's important that they make arrangements for an alternative CP12 as soon as is possible.
The CP12 will not only verify that all appliances are safe to use, but it will also inform you if any are unsafe and, consequently, dangerous. Any appliances that are considered unfit for use will be marked with the code ID, AR or NCS, meaning they need to be replaced as soon as is possible or are in immediate danger. The engineer will also ask permission to remove any appliance they consider unsafe, if needed.
Gas engineers, gas fitters, and installers must renew their CP12 every year to continue working legally. In reality, if an unconforming landlord is found and prosecuted, they could be found guilty for letting their home out without a valid CP12.
A CP12 replacement is also needed in the event that the original certificate is lost or misplaced. If the original engineer appears on the Gas Safe Register they should be able locate the record of inspection and issue a copy of the CP12 certificate. If not then a gas engineer can utilize the address of the property and date of inspection to search the Gas Safe Register.
For those looking to sell their property having an approved gas safety certificate will increase the chances of a speedy sale. Potential buyers will feel more confident knowing that the property was properly inspected and that all appliances are safe.
How do I get an official certificate of gas safety?
If you are a landlord, there are several ways to obtain an official gas safety certificate. You can hire a company that specialises in supplying them, or you can contact your local gas engineer and ask them to come out and inspect your appliances. You will receive a copy of their certificate once they've completed the inspection. You should also give an original copy of the certificate to your tenants either within 28 days of the inspection or at the start of their tenancy.
Check that the engineers performing these inspections are Gas Safe-registered and that they are able to show you their ID when they visit your house. They will ensure that the pipes are free from leaks, and also that the chimneys and flues are clear to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide build-up. They will also ensure that the gas appliances work correctly and that the ventilation is not blocked.
Gas safety certificates are crucial documents for landlords, and should be kept for future reference. The landlord can use it in many different situations, such as when selling the property, proving warranty in case of a disaster or to avoid legal issues.
If the original document is destroyed or lost for any reason, a copy must be prepared immediately to avoid legal issues. A duplicate could be a digital or physical copy, and should be stored in an area that is safe.
There is no grace period to obtain an gas safety certificate, therefore you should always renew before the expiry date. If you don't complete this task you could be facing hefty fines or even imprisonment.
Some landlords face difficulties accessing their properties to carry out the annual gas safety inspections. If you have tenants who are reluctant to let you in you should consider sending them a strongly worded letter explaining why the checks are required. Often, this will encourage them to allow you in. If you do not have a Section 21 notice, you can start the eviction process by serving it to them.
How much will it cost to obtain a gas safety certification?
The cost of a gas certificate security is contingent on a number of factors, including the type and quantity of appliances in the property, the location and the cost of the engineer. Typically, the higher the number of appliances in the house the more expensive the inspection will be. If homeowners look around and compare services and prices, they will often find discounts and deals. It is also helpful to look into getting quotes from several engineers before making an investment.
The primary purpose of the gas safety certificate is to verify that all gas appliances and pipework are safe to use in a property, so the engineer will carry out a range of checks. This includes checking that gas appliances are fitted properly, ensuring that there is adequate ventilation, testing the flues to ensure that harmful gases are not released into the home, and making sure that there aren't any danger leaks in the pipes or appliances.
The law requires landlords to conduct regular gas safety inspections on their rental properties. These are an essential aspect of landlord responsibility and will assist in ensuring that tenants have safe, comfortable homes. A CP12 certificate of gas safety, or landlord gas record, is evidence that these regular inspections are conducted. It also outlines the results of tests conducted on each gas appliance in the property. The CP12 will also list any actions the engineer took as a result of the inspection and the name and registration number of the person who conducted the test.
It is ideal to conduct a gas safety check completed prior to the new tenants moving into the property. However, how to get gas safety certificate is not always possible. In these instances it is best to to schedule the inspection at least a week prior to when the current one expires. This will help you avoid any additional charges for an emergency or last-minute inspection.
It is also worth considering a service contract, which will include gas safety inspections and boiler maintenance in one practical package. They're more expensive than organizing the services on their own, but could save landlords money in the long run by reducing maintenance costs.