11 "Faux Pas" That Actually Are Okay To Create With Your Gas Safety Certificate
Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone renting out a part of or their entire property must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe, and that they are in compliance with the law.
Landlords must also keep records for every inspection. This will be useful if the landlord decides to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone renting out properties that have gas piping is legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. Landlords must present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy tenants and keep copies for as long as the property is owned by them.
Landlords who do not comply with the law put their tenants in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and may be liable to legal actions. They also run the risk of losing their landlord insurance cover.
To carry out an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate engineers need access to the building as well as the complete details of all appliances that require being checked, and the manufacturer and model details 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 is in good condition.
Any problems found during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and solutions will be suggested. If the issue are not fixed, then another inspection will be needed and a new certificate will be issued after the problem is resolved. The date on which the next inspection is due to be included 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 the gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to look online for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords should pick an engineer with competitive prices and an efficient service to ensure their tenants are safe from potentially dangerous gas related issues.
What is what is CP12?
A CP12 is a certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances fittings, flues, and other appliances in a home. This certificate is an essential part of the landlord's obligations under UK law and helps ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords that do not comply with the law could be penalized severely, ranging from fines and prison.
The CP12 document contains a complete list of all gas appliances within the building as well as specific details about every inspection and any issues that were found. The document also lists 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 are required to provide an original copy of CP12 to each tenant within 28 days after their annual inspection or prior to the tenant moving in.
It is important to choose an Gas Safe registered professional to conduct the CP12 examination. This professional should have the experience and reputation to conduct a thorough test. Examining the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the most reliable method of confirming their credentials. This card includes their registration number as well as the types of work they are qualified to do. It's also a good idea to read reviews and recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who do not have an active CP12 are subject to serious legal penalties including fines and imprisonment. A CP12 is also required for insurance purposes. This leaves landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas-related incident. To minimize the risk, the best strategy is to schedule regular inspections by a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your properties are all equipped with CP12s.
How do I get one?
A CP12 is a legal document that confirms that gas appliances in the property have been tested for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to get and maintain one for each building they rent out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection, including whether each appliance passed or failed, and the work required to bring them to a standard. This allows tenants to know what they can expect from a rental property, and can help prevent landlords from incurring unexpected costs if there is a problem.
A landlord must provide an original copy of the CP12 to a new tenant within 28 days after the inspection. They must also keep records for their own reference. Landlords must also renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or they could be liable to being fined or even a criminal prosecution.
Getting a CP12 certificate is not only a legal requirement however, it is important for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 certificate will highlight any issues that could arise regarding the gas supply and appliances in your rental properties and can be rectified before they grow into larger issues.
You can search for an engineer who is registered online if you are looking for a CP12. You can identify them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vans. It's also worth checking with the CORGI's governing body CORGI (now Gas Safe) to ensure that your engineer is fully registered to carry out CP12 inspections.
Another option is to use a streamlined landlord software solution such as Klipboard which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and conveniently on the job without having to keep track of bulky pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that send out notifications to their clients when their next check is due.
How long are they expected to last?
When a landlord completes a CP12 and passes it, the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of inspection. It is therefore essential that landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificates do not expire. If it doesn't the landlord will be punished for breaking the law.
There are many reasons landlords do not renew their CP12. One of the most frequent is that they just forget. This isn't a good excuse and the best thing to do in this situation is to politely remind them that the gas safety check is due and then schedule the check immediately.

It is also important to remember that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who doesn't renew their certificate prior to the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the issue isn't resolved immediately, they could be unable to rent out their home and even lose their gas supply.
All engineers who have been authorized to conduct CP12 inspections and issue gas safety certificates are registered with the Gas Safe Register which operates on behalf of the UK Health and Safety Executive. You will see the logo of this official organisation on the uniforms and vans of their companies. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when booking an inspection. This registration number is unique and can be used to verify their status on the Gas Safe Register.
Where can I purchase one?
Only those who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue a CP12. This ensures that the engineer is qualified to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will notify the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and will recommend that any repairs required be made prior to issuance of the new certificate. Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
Inability to obtain a valid CP12 could pose significant health and safety risks for tenants as well as putting the landlord in violation of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create colourless and odourless carbon monoxide. how to get gas safety certificate may also trigger explosions and fires. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases from being safely evacuated from the premises, increasing carbon monoxide poisoning.
A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help reduce these risks, as any issues that require to be taken care of can be addressed promptly. In accordance with the directions or manuals provided by the manufacturer landlords are also accountable to perform annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties. Landlords are also required to keep a record of every maintenance work.
With the aid of software that is free for landlords such as BOXT, it is easier to keep track of these vital tasks. It doesn't matter if it's setting an alarm to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants receive an accurate and up-to date CP12 within the required timeframe. This will help avoid fines and other problems that could arise from failure to follow the law.