Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who rents out part or all of their property must obtain a CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This ensures all appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.
Landlords should also keep a record for all inspections. This will be useful in the event that the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who leases an apartment that has gas piping should be legally required to have it examined and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. Landlords are required to give the certificates to tenants on the start of the tenancy and keep copies of any future inspections for the duration of their ownership of the property.
Landlords who do not comply with the law are placing their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and are facing possible legal actions. They also risk losing their landlord insurance coverage.
Engineers need access to a property to conduct the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They must also be aware of the model and brand of each appliance and access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers must also verify that each appliance functions properly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment are in good working order.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the faults are not corrected, a subsequent inspection is required and a new certification will be issued after the issue is resolved. The date on which the next inspection is scheduled will be included on the CP12 and should be scheduled in a timely manner to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords are able to search online for Gas Safe engineers in their area. gas safety certificate how often should choose an engineer with competitive prices and an efficient service to ensure their tenants are protected from potentially dangerous gas related issues.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues and fittings within a property. This certificate is a crucial part of a landlord's responsibilities under UK law, and helps ensure that all tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not follow the law are subject to severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 is a complete document that contains all the gas appliances in the home as well as the specific information about every inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also contains the name of Gas Safe registered engineer, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date the inspection was conducted. Landlords are required to provide the CP12 copy to all tenants CP12 to all tenants within 28 days after their annual inspection, or before a tenant moves into.
It is essential to select a Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. The professional must have the knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough examination. Verifying the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best method of confirming their credentials. This card includes their registration number as well as what kind of work they're competent to perform. It is also a good idea to look up reviews and suggestions from other landlords.
Landlords who neglect to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, which could include fines and even jail time. In addition, lack of a CP12 could result in the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords and leave 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 licensed Gas Safe engineer.
How do I obtain one?
A CP12 is an official document that proves that the gas appliances inside a property were checked for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for each property they lease to tenants. A CP12 includes details of the inspection including the degree to which each appliance was passed, as well as any work needed to bring them back up-to-date. This lets tenants know exactly what they can expect from renting a property, and also helps stop landlords from incurring unanticipated costs in the event of an issue.
A landlord must give an original copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They should also keep records to use for their own reference. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to its expiration, or they could be liable to being fined or even a criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain a CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but it's also important for the health and well-being of your tenants. A CP12 will reveal any potential problems in the gas supply to your rental property or appliances, so they can be addressed before they become a bigger issue.
If you're interested in getting a CP12, you can find an engineer who's registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or that is displayed on their service vans. It is also advisable to check with the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to use a simple landlord software such as Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and conveniently in the field, without having to keep track of heavy pads of paper. They can also set service reminders for their clients, which will automatically send them a notification when their next check is scheduled to be completed.
How long will they last?
If a landlord has completed a CP12 and is able to pass it the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificates do not expire. If it does not the landlord is fined for breaking the law.
There are many reasons why landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most frequent is that they simply forget. This is not an excuse. The most effective way to handle this is to gently remind them that their gas safety inspection is due and make it a point to schedule it right away.
A CP12 does not come with a grace period. Any landlord who fails renew their certificate before the expiry date is in breach of the law. This could mean that they will not be able to rent out their property, and could be at risk of losing their gas supply off if the issue isn't resolved immediately.
Gas Safe Register, which is managed by the UK Health and Safety Executive Registers all engineers that are authorized to perform CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. You will see the logo of this official organisation on the uniforms and vans of their businesses. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required to book an inspection. This number is unique and can be used to verify their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I get one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures the engineer is fully qualified for an in-depth inspection. If an appliance fails the check the engineer will inform the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before the new certificate is issued. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days following the inspection.

A valid CP12 is essential for the safety and health of tenants. It also makes landlords in violation of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create carbon monoxide that is colorless and smellless. They can also cause fires and explosions. The blocked flues also hinder harmful gases being safely expelled from the premises which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks can minimize the risks, since any issues can be addressed promptly. The landlord is also accountable to perform annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipes in their rental properties, in line with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. Landlords are also required to keep a record of all maintenance work.
With the aid of free software for landlords such as BOXT, it is much easier to keep track of these vital tasks. It's as simple as setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure that their tenants get a valid CP12 within the specified time. This will help avoid fines and other issues that could arise from failure to follow the law.