Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Any person who rents out a piece of their property or the entire one must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe, and that they are in compliance with the laws.
Landlords also need to keep the records of all inspections. This will be helpful if the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone renting out a property that has gas piping must be legally required to have it inspected and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. Landlords need to present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy tenants and retain copies for as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who don't comply with the law are placing their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and could face possible legal actions. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance cover.
Engineers require access to the property in order to carry out the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They must also be aware of the model and brand of each appliance as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. Engineers should also be able to ensure that every appliance functions correctly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment are in good condition.
Any issues discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the problem is not fixed, a second inspection is required, and a new certification will be issued once the issue is fixed. The date on which the next inspection is due will be included on the CP12 and should be scheduled quickly to prevent any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers can complete an assessment and issue gas safety certificates. Landlords can check online for the Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can search online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a registered Gas Safe engineer following a thorough inspection of gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings in the building. This certificate is a vital part of the landlord's obligations under UK law. It is a way to ensure that tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. how long does a gas safety certificate last who do not adhere to the law face severe penalties which include fines and even imprisonment.
The CP12 document contains a complete listing of all gas appliances located in the building and provides specific details about each inspection and any issues that were discovered. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed the test, their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection or prior to the time a new tenant moves in.
When selecting an Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection, it is important to select a qualified professional with the expertise and reputation required to conduct an accurate examination. The best method to confirm an engineer's credentials is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number as well as the types of work they're qualified to carry out. You can also read reviews and recommendations by other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, which could include fines and even imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 can lead to the cancellation of landlords' insurance policies which could leave them financially vulnerable in the event of a gas-related incident. The most effective strategy for protecting yourself from these risks is to ensure that you keep all of your properties' CP12s up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a qualified Gas Safe engineer.
How can I get one?

A CP12 is an official document that proves that the gas appliances within a property were checked for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, such as the degree to which each appliance was passed, as well as any work required to bring them up to date. This lets tenants know exactly what they can expect from renting a property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected expenses if there's any issue.
A landlord must give an original copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days of the inspection. They must also keep records for their own reference. Landlords are also required to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or else they could face an infraction or a criminal charge.
Getting an CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but is also essential for the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 certificate will highlight any potential problems in the gas supply or appliances in your rental properties that can be addressed before they grow into larger issues.
If you're looking to get a CP12, you can find an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms or that is displayed on their service vans. It's also worth contacting the governing body of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is fully registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to use a streamlined landlord software solution, like Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and effortlessly on the job without having to keep track of large pads of paper. what is gas safety certificate can also set service reminders for their clients, which will automatically send them a notification when their next inspection is scheduled to be completed.
How long will they last?
When a landlord completes an CP12 and passes it, the certificate is valid for a period of 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 then the landlord is in violation of the law and could be punished with a fine.
Ofttimes, there are a variety of reasons why landlords might not receive their CP12 renewed. One of the most common is that they simply forget. This is not an excuse. The best thing to do is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then make it a point to schedule it right away.
A CP12 does not have an extension period. Any landlord who fails to renew their certificate prior to the expiry date is in violation of the law. This could mean they will not be able to rent their property and may even be in danger of being cut off from gas off if the problem isn't resolved immediately.
Gas Safe Register, which is operated by the UK Health and Safety Executive, registers all engineers that are authorized for CP12 inspections and issues 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 work for. They will also carry a Gas Safe registration number which they will need to provide when they book an inspection. This registration number is unique and can be used to check their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where do I get one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer registered on the Gas Safe Register. This guarantees that the engineer is qualified to conduct a thorough inspection. The engineer will inform the landlord that the appliance has failed the test and recommend that any necessary repairs be completed prior to issuing a new certificate. The landlord must give 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 risk to the health and safety of tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They can also cause fires and explosions. In addition blocked flues can stop harmful gases from being safely emitted out of the home, thereby increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help to reduce the risk, since any issues that require to be taken care of can be addressed quickly. The landlord is also accountable to perform annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipes in their rental properties, in accordance to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. The landlord should also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the aid of free software for landlords, such as BOXT, it is much easier to keep track of these important tasks. If this is done by setting a reminder to issue a CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants receive an up to date CP12 within the timeframe required. Ultimately, this helps to avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not observing the law.