What's The Most Common Gas Safety Certificate Debate Actually Isn't As Black And White As You May Think
Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who rents out part or all of their property has to be issued a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe and comply with the laws.
Landlords should also keep records of all inspections. This is useful should they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to anyone who leases a property with gas piping at least once a year. Landlords must present the certificates to prospective tenants on the start of a tenancy. They must also keep copies of any future inspections for as long as they own the property.
Landlords who do not comply with the law are placing their tenants at risk of dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning and could face possible legal action. They also risk losing the insurance protection for landlords.
To conduct an inspection and issue the gas safety certificate, engineers must have access to the property as well as the complete details of all appliances that require being checked, and the manufacturer and model information for each appliance, along with access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers should also be able to confirm that every appliance is operating properly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment is in good condition.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and the suggested remedies. If the issues cannot be fixed then another inspection is required and a new certificate will be issued after the problem is resolved. The CP12 will include the date of the next inspection. It is important to schedule this quickly so that you do not run into any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can search online for the Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords should select an engineer who offers affordable prices and a reliable service to ensure their tenants are protected from deadly gas related issues.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection thorough of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues in a home. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's obligations under UK law and helps to ensure that all tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not comply with the law could be punished severely, including penalties like fines and imprisonment.
The CP12 is a complete document that lists all of the gas appliances in the home, along with specific details of each inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also includes the name of Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date on which the inspection was conducted. gas safety certificate cp12 must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before a new tenant moves in.
It is essential to select a Gas Safe registered professional to conduct a CP12 examination. This professional should have the knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough examination. The most reliable method of confirming an engineer's credentials is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number and the type of work they are able to carry out. You can also look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords that fail to maintain an active CP12 face serious legal penalties, such as fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the absence of a CP12 can lead to the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords, leaving them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. The most effective method for avoiding the risk is to keep all of your properties' CP12s up-to date by scheduling annual inspections with a certified Gas Safe engineer.
How do I get one?

A CP12 is an official document that demonstrates that the gas appliances within the property have been examined for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains specifics of the inspection, including whether or not each appliance was passed, as well as any work needed to bring them up-to-standard. This allows tenants to know what they can expect from a rental property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected costs if there is any issue.
A landlord is required to provide a new tenant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days after the date of the inspection, as well as keeping records for their personal use. Landlords are also required to renew their CP12 prior to its expiration or they could be liable to a fine or criminal prosecution.
Achieving the CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but it's also important to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 will reveal any potential issues with the gas supply of your rental property or appliances, so they can be addressed before they become bigger problems.
You can locate an engineer who is registered online if you are searching for an CP12. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms as well as on their service vehicles. It is also advisable to check with the governing body of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a landlord software solution that lets engineers quickly and easily complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field without the need to keep track of bulky paper pads. They can also set service reminders for their clients, which will automatically notify them when their next inspection is due to be completed.
How long do they last? for?
The certificate issued to a landlord who successfully completes the CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months after the date of the inspection. It is therefore essential that landlords book regular CP12 inspections and ensure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does it, the landlord is breaking the law and could be subject to a fine.
Often, there are multiple reasons why landlords might fail to have their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they just forget. This isn't a good excuse, and the best option in this case is to gently remind them that their gas safety check is due and then schedule the check immediately.
It is also worth noting that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who fails to have their certificate renewed after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. If the issue isn't fixed immediately, they may be unable to rent their property and may even be unable to access their gas supply.
Gas Safe Register, which is run by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers that are authorized to conduct CP12 inspections and issues gas safety certificates. You will see the logo of the official organization on the uniforms and vans of their firms. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when you book an inspection. This registration number is unique and can be used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I get one?
A CP12 can only be issued by an engineer registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures that the engineer is competent to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will notify the landlord if the appliance fails the test and will recommend that any necessary repairs be completed prior to issuing an updated certificate. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days following the inspection.
A valid CP12 is vital to the health and safety of tenants. It also makes landlords in violation of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They may also trigger explosions and fires. Blockage of flues can also stop harmful gases from being safely emitted from the premises and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help minimize the risks, as any issues that need to be taken care of can be addressed promptly. According to the instructions or manuals provided by the manufacturer landlords are also responsible to perform annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. Landlords must also keep a record of every maintenance work.
With the aid of free software for landlords like BOXT it is simpler to keep track of these crucial tasks. It doesn't matter if it's setting a reminder to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants get a valid and up to date CP12 within the required timeframe. In the end, this will help avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not observing the law.