The Most Common Gas Safety Certificate Debate Actually Isn't As Black And White As You Might Think

· 6 min read
The Most Common Gas Safety Certificate Debate Actually Isn't As Black And White As You Might Think

Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12

Anyone renting out a part of their property must have a CP12 gas safety certificate. This will ensure that the appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.

Landlords should also keep records for all inspections. This is important should the landlord decide to sell their property.

Legal Requirements

Gas Safe registered engineers must inspect and issue a gas safety cp12 certificate to anyone renting out an apartment with gas pipes at least once a year. The landlord must present the certificates at the start of a new tenancy tenants and keep copies as long as the property is owned by them.

Landlords who fail to adhere to the law place their tenants in danger of poisoning by carbon monoxide and may be liable to legal action. They also risk losing their insurance coverage for landlords.

Engineers need access to the premises to conduct the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They also need to know the model and make of each appliance as well as access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers must also be able ensure that every appliance functions correctly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment is in good working order.

Any problems identified during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and remedies suggested. If the problem is not fixed, a second inspection is required and a new certification will be issued when the issue is fixed. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is crucial to schedule this inspection as soon as possible in order to avoid any issues.

Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorised to complete an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords should pick an engineer that offers competitive prices and a reliable service to make sure their tenants are protected from dangerous gas related issues.

What is what is CP12?

A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough examination of gas appliances, fittings and flues in the property. This certificate is a vital part of the landlord's duties under UK law. It helps to ensure that tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who don't adhere to the law face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

The CP12 document is a complete list of all gas appliances located in the home, as well as specific details regarding each inspection and any issues that were identified. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who conducted the test, their Gas Safe registration number, and the date of the inspection. Landlords must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before a new tenant is moved into.

It is important to choose a Gas Safe registered professional to conduct a CP12 exam. The person you choose should have the expertise and experience to provide a thorough inspection. The best method to confirm the credentials of an engineer is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which will show their registration number as well as the types of work they are able to do. You can also read reviews and recommendations by other landlords.

Landlords who do not maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of serious legal penalties, including penalties like fines or even imprisonment. 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 accident. The best way to avoiding these risks is to keep all of your properties' CP12s up to date by scheduling annual inspections with a licensed Gas Safe engineer.

How can I get one?

A CP12 is an official document that confirms that gas appliances in the property were inspected for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for every property they lease to tenants. A CP12 includes specifics of the inspection, including the degree to which each appliance was passed, as well as any work required to bring them up to date. This lets tenants know what to expect when renting out the property, and also helps to avoid costly costs for landlords if an issue arises.

A landlord must give an official 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 are also required to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires or they could be subject to an infraction or a criminal charge.

The requirement to obtain a CP12 certificate is not only an obligation under the law, but it is also essential for your tenants' health 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.

You can search for an engineer registered on the internet if you're looking for a CP12. You can recognise them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniforms, or that is displayed 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 registered to carry out CP12 inspections.

Another option is to utilize a streamlined landlord software solution, like Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and easily in the field, without having to keep track of bulky pads of paper. They can also set reminders for service for their clients, and automatically send them a notification when their next check is due to be completed.

How long do they last? for?

The certificate given to a landlord who successfully completes the CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months following the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords to schedule regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificates do not expire. If it does, the landlord is breaking the law and could be subject to a fine.

There are  gas safety certificate and boiler service  why landlords fail to renew their CP12. One of the most frequent is that they just forget. This is not a valid excuse and the best option in this situation is to gently remind them that their gas safety checks are due and 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 does not 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 being cut off from gas off if the issue isn't resolved immediately.

All engineers who are 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. The logo of this official organization on the uniforms and vans of their businesses. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required when booking an inspection. This number is unique and can be used to verify their status on the Gas Safe Register.

Where can I find one?

Only those who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue a CP12.  boiler service and gas safety certificate  assures that the engineer is fully qualified to conduct a thorough inspection of gas appliances and flues. The engineer will inform the landlord if the appliance fails the test and suggest that any necessary repairs be made before issuing a new certificate. Landlords must 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 risk to the health and safety of tenants as well as putting the landlord in violation of the law. Appliances that are not functioning properly can create inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They also can cause fires and explosions. Additionally blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from safely being ejected from the property, 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 addressed can be dealt with quickly. The landlord is also responsible for ensuring that annual maintenance is carried out on all gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. Landlords are also required to keep a log of all maintenance work.

Fortunately, with the aid of free landlord software such as BOXT, keeping track of these important tasks is a lot easier for landlords. Whether this is by setting an appointment to issue an CP12 or uploading the document to the online Property Manager, landlords can ensure that their tenants receive a valid and up to date CP12 within the required timeframe. In the end, this will help avoid the hassles and fines that could result from not following the law.