Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12
Anyone who leases out a portion or all of their property has to be issued an CP12 Gas Safety certificate. This will ensure that the appliances are safe and comply with the law.
Landlords must also keep the records of all inspections. This is important should the landlord decide to sell their property.
Legal Requirements
Anyone who rents out an apartment that has gas piping should be legally required to have it checked and a gas safety certificate Cp12 issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer once each year. Landlords are required to give the certificates to prospective tenants at the beginning of the tenancy and keep copies of any subsequent inspections for the duration of their ownership of the property.
Landlords who fail to follow the law put their tenants at risk of poisoning by carbon monoxide and may be liable to legal action. They also risk losing their insurance protection for landlords.
Engineers require access to the premises to carry out the inspection and issue a gas safety certificate. They also must know the model and make of each appliance as well as access to the specifications of the manufacturer. The engineers must be able to confirm that each appliance is functioning properly and that all pipework and fittings are in good working order and securely secured.
Any issues that are discovered during the inspection will be noted on the CP12 and the suggested remedies. If the faults cannot be corrected, another inspection is required and a new certification will be issued once the problem is resolved. The CP12 will contain the date of the next inspection. It is important to plan this appointment quickly in order to avoid any issues.
Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to complete an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search online for an Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords should choose an engineer who offers affordable prices and a reliable service to make sure their tenants are protected from dangerous gas-related issues.
What is a CP12?
A CP12 document is issued by a Gas Safe-registered engineer following a thorough examination of gas appliances fittings, flues, and fittings in the property. This certificate is a crucial part of the landlord's obligations under UK law, and helps ensure that tenants live in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who don't follow the law are subject to severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
The CP12 document is a complete listing of all gas appliances located 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, their Gas Safe registration numbers, and the date on which the inspection was conducted. Landlords must provide all tenants with a copy of the CP12 within 28 days of their annual inspection, or before the tenant is moved into.
When selecting a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection, it is important to choose a professional with the experience and reputation needed to provide an accurate inspection. The best method to confirm the credentials of an engineer is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which contains their registration number as well as the types of work they are able to carry out. It is also recommended to review and get recommendations from other landlords.
Landlords who fail to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of severe legal penalties, including fines and even jail time. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable financially in the event of a gas-related incident. The most effective method for avoiding 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 do I get one?
A CP12 is a legal document that demonstrates that gas appliances in the property have been examined for safety. It is a legal requirement for landlords to get and maintain one for each property they lease out to tenants. A CP12 contains details of the inspection including the degree to which each appliance was inspected, as well as any work needed to bring them up to date. This lets tenants know exactly what they are getting from a rental property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected costs if there is a problem.
A landlord must give an original copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days after the inspection. They must also keep records for their own reference. Landlords should also be sure to renew their CP12 prior to the date it expires in the event that they fail to do so could lead to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.
The requirement to obtain the CP12 isn't only a legal requirement, but is also essential to ensure the health and wellbeing of your tenants. A CP12 will detect any potential issues in the gas supply to your rental property or appliances, so that they can be addressed before they become bigger problems.
If you're looking to get a CP12 then you can locate an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vehicles. do i need a gas safety certificate should also contact CORGI, the organization that regulates the industry (now Gas Safe), to ensure that your engineer is registered to perform CP12 inspections.
Another option is to use a simple landlord software like Klipboard, which allows engineers to complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates quickly and effortlessly in the field, without having to keep track of bulky pads of paper. They can also create service reminders that notify their customers when the next check is due.
How long will they last?

The certificate issued to a landlord who successfully completes a CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months following the date of the inspection. It is therefore essential that landlords book regular CP12 inspections and make sure that their certificate does not expire. If it does not, the landlord could be fined for breaking the law.
There are many reasons why landlords fail to renew their CP12. One of the most common is that they simply forget. This isn't 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 also worth noting that there is no grace period for a CP12 and any landlord who does not have their certificate renewed after the expiry date will be in violation of the law. If the problem is not addressed immediately, they could be unable to rent out their property and may even be unable to access their gas supply.
All engineers who are authorised 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 the official organization on the uniforms and vans of their firms. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required to book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to find their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are 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 an in-depth inspection. The engineer will notify the landlord of any appliance that fails the test and recommend that any repairs needed be made prior to issuance of the new certificate. Landlords are required to provide tenants with a copy the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days following the inspection.
Failure to have a valid CP12 poses significant dangers to health and safety for tenants, as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. Not only do faulty appliances produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colourless, but they can also trigger fires and explosions. Blocked flues can also prevent harmful gases from being safely emitted from the building, increasing carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks can reduce the risk of these accidents since any issues can be addressed promptly. The landlord is also accountable to perform annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties, in line to the instructions of the manufacturer or manuals. 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 simpler to keep track of these crucial tasks. It's as simple as setting up a CP12 reminder or uploading the CP12 to the online Property Manager. Landlords can ensure their tenants receive an official CP12 within the specified time. This will help to avoid fines and other issues that could arise from failure to comply with the law.