Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion or all of their property must obtain an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures all appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords should also keep records of all inspections. This will be helpful if the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone renting out properties that have gas piping is legally required to have it inspected and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. The landlord must present the certificates at the beginning of a new tenancy to tenants and keep copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who fail to adhere to the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and could face potential legal action. They also risk losing their insurance protection for landlords.
Engineers need access to the property in order to conduct the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They also must be aware of the model and manufacturer of each appliance and access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must also be able to verify that every appliance is functioning correctly and that all fittings and pipework are in good order and properly secured.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection would be noted on the CP12 and suggested solutions. If the issues cannot be corrected, another inspection is required and a new certification will be issued when the issue is resolved. The date when the next inspection is due to be recorded on the CP12 and must be scheduled in a timely manner to prevent any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorised to complete an assessment and issue a gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords should choose an engineer who offers competitive rates and a reliable service to make sure their tenants are protected from deadly gas related issues.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances within a building. This certificate is an essential element of the landlord's obligations under UK law, and helps ensure that all tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who fail to comply with the law could be penalized severely, ranging from fines and prison.
The CP12 is a detailed document that contains all the gas appliances in the home as well as the specific details of each inspection, as well as any issues discovered. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date the inspection was conducted. Landlords must provide the CP12 copy to all tenants CP12 to all tenants within 28 days following their annual inspection or prior to the tenant moving in.
It is essential to select an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. The person you choose should have the expertise and experience to provide a thorough inspection. Checking the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best method of confirming their credentials. The card contains their registration number, as well as what types of work they're qualified to do. It is also a good idea to look up reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties, such as fines and imprisonment. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas related incident. To minimize the risk the best option is to schedule regular inspections by an Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s.
How can I get one?
A CP12 is an official document that demonstrates that the gas appliances within the property have been tested for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection including whether or not each appliance was passed, as well as any work needed to bring them up-to-standard. This helps tenants understand what they can expect when renting the property, and also can help avoid unexpected expenses for the landlord in the event that there is a problem.
A landlord is required to provide an applicant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection and keep records for their personal use. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or else they could be subject to a fine or criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain a CP12 certificate is not only an obligation under the law however, it is important for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 will detect any potential issues in your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so that they can be dealt with before they become a bigger issue.
If you're looking to get a CP12 You can locate an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognise them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or on their service vans. It's also worth contacting the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.
Klipboard is a software-based landlord solution that lets engineers quickly and efficiently complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field, without having to keep an eye on bulky paper pads. certificate cost can also set service reminders for their clients, and automatically send them a notification when their next check is due to be carried out.
How long do they last? for?
The certificate given to landlords who have successfully completed the CP12 is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and to ensure that their certificates do not expire. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could be subject to a fine.
There are many reasons landlords don't renew their CP12. One of the most frequent reasons is because they forget. This is not a good excuse and the best thing to do in this situation is to politely remind them that their gas safety check is due and then make sure to schedule the check as soon as possible.
It is also worth noting that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who fails to have their certificate renewed after the expiry date will be in violation of the law. This could mean that they will not be able to rent their property and may even be at risk of losing their gas supply off if the issue isn't addressed immediately.
Gas Safe Register, which is operated by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers who have been authorised to perform CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates . This is an official body and you will be able to see their logo on their uniforms and on the vans of the companies they are employed by. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when booking an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure of their status.

Where can I get one?
Only those who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue a CP12. This guarantees that the engineer is qualified to conduct an extensive inspection. The engineer will notify the landlord that the appliance has failed the test and recommend that any repairs required be made before issuing an updated certificate. The landlord is required to provide an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the date that the inspection took place.
Invalid CP12 can pose serious dangers to health and safety for tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Not only do faulty appliances generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is colourless and odourless, but they also can cause explosions and fires. In addition blocked flues can stop harmful gases from being safely emitted out of the home, thereby increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety inspections can help to minimize the risks, as any issues can be addressed promptly. The landlord is also accountable to perform annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties, in accordance to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. The landlords must also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.
Fortunately, with the aid of free landlord software such as BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is a lot easier for landlords. 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 tenants receive an up to date CP12 within the timeframe required. In the end, this will help avoid the fines and disruption that could result from not complying with the law.