Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion of or their entire property is required to obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that the appliances are safe and complies with the law.
Landlords should also keep records for all inspections. This is useful if they ever decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone renting out properties that have gas piping should be legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once a year. Landlords must present the certificates at the beginning of a new tenancy to tenants and retain copies for as long as the property remains owned by them.
Landlords who don't comply with the law put their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning and may face legal actions. They also risk losing the insurance protection for landlords.
In order to conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate, engineers require access to the property and the full information of all appliances that require checking and the make and model information for each appliance, in addition to access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers must also ensure that every appliance functions properly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment are in good condition.
Any issues discovered during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issues are not corrected, a subsequent inspection is required and a new certificate will be issued once the issue is resolved. The date when the next inspection is due will be included on the CP12 and must be scheduled promptly to avoid any problems.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorised to complete an assessment and issue an official gas safety certificate. Landlords can check online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords can check online for a Gas Safe engineer in their area.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 is a document issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings at a property. This certificate is an essential element of the landlord's responsibilities under UK law. It assists in ensuring that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords that do not adhere to the law can be punished severely, including fines and prison.
The CP12 document is a comprehensive listing of all gas appliances in the building as well as specific details regarding each inspection and any issues that were identified. The document also contains the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test as well as 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 before the tenant moves into.
When choosing the Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct an CP12 inspection it is essential to choose a professional with the expertise and reputation required to conduct an extensive examination. The best method to confirm the credentials of an engineer is to check their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number as well as the type of work they are able to carry out. It is also a good idea to read reviews and suggestions from other landlords.
Landlords who neglect to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, including fines and even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This leaves landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas related incident. To reduce the risk the best option is to schedule annual inspections by a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that all your properties have CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is a legal document that confirms that the gas appliances in a property have been properly checked for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and have one for each building they rent to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, such as the degree to which each appliance was inspected, as well as any work required to bring them up-to-standard. This helps tenants understand what they can expect when renting an apartment or house, and helps to avoid costly expenses for the landlord in the event that an issue arises.
A landlord must provide a new tenant with the copy of their CP12 within 28 days of the inspection, as well as keeping records for their own use. Landlords should also make sure to renew their CP12 before the expiration date because failing to do so could lead to a penalty fine or even criminal prosecution.
A CP12 certificate isn't just an obligation under the law, but it is also important for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 certificate will reveal any issues that could arise in the gas supply or appliances in your rental properties and can be rectified before they become bigger issues.
If landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service looking to get a CP12, you can find an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniform or on their service vans. It's also worth contacting the governing body of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to utilize a simple landlord software, like Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and conveniently in the field without needing to keep track of heavy pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that send notifications to their clients when the next check is due.
How long will they last?

The certificate issued to the landlord who has successfully completed the CP12 is valid for 12 months following the date of the inspection. This is the reason it is important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 checks and to ensure that their certificate doesn't run out. If it doesn't the landlord is penalized for violating the law.
There are a variety of reasons landlords don't renew their CP12. One of the most common is that they just forget. This is not an excuse. The most effective way to handle this is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due and schedule it immediately.
It is important to note that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who doesn't renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. This could mean they will not be able to rent out their property and could be at risk of having their gas supply cut off if the problem isn't fixed straight away.
Gas Safe Register, which is run by the UK Health and Safety Executive is a register of all engineers who are authorised to perform CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. It is an official organization and you will be able 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 you book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find their details on the Gas Safe Register if you are ever unsure of their status.
Where can I purchase one?
A CP12 is only issued by an engineer registered on the Gas Safe Register. This guarantees that the engineer is fully qualified for a thorough inspection. If an appliance fails to pass the test the engineer will notify the landlord and recommend any necessary repairs to be made before the new certificate is issued. The landlord must give an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the inspection taking place.
A valid CP12 is vital to the safety and health of tenants. It also makes landlords in violation of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can generate carbon monoxide, a gas that is odorless and colourless, but they also can cause explosions and fires. Additionally blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from being safely emitted from the building, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety inspections can help to reduce the risk of these accidents as any problems can be dealt with promptly. The landlord is also responsible 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 landlords must also keep a record of the maintenance work they carry out.
With the aid of landlord free software like BOXT, keeping track of these important tasks is a lot easier for landlords. Whether it's by setting a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can make sure that tenants have an official CP12 in the required timeframe. This will prevent fines and other issues that can arise from failing to follow the law.