Why We Our Love For Gas Safety Certificate (And You Should Too!)

· 6 min read
Why We Our Love For Gas Safety Certificate (And You Should Too!)

Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12

Any person who rents out a piece of or their entire property is required to obtain 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 every inspection. This is useful in the event that they decide to sell their property.

Legal Requirements

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

Landlords who fail to adhere to the law put their tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and could face potential legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance coverage.

gas safe building regulations compliance certificate  require access to the property in order to conduct the inspection and issue the gas safety certificate. They also must be aware of the model and brand of each appliance as well as access to the manufacturer specifications. Engineers must also be able ensure that every appliance functions properly and that all fittings, pipework and other equipment are in good condition.

Any issues discovered during the inspection would be recorded on the CP12 and suggested solutions. If the issues are not fixed, then another inspection will be needed and a new certificate will be issued after the problem is resolved. The CP12 will include the date of the next inspection. It is crucial to plan this appointment quickly so that you do not run into any problems.

Only Gas Safe registered engineers are authorized to conduct an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords are able to search online for the Gas Safe engineer in their area. Landlords should pick an engineer that offers competitive rates and a reliable service to make sure their tenants are safe from potentially dangerous gas related issues.

What is a CP12?

A CP12 is a document issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following an extensive inspection of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues in a home. This certificate is a crucial part of the landlord's obligations under UK law and helps to ensure that tenants live in a safe and healthy environment. Landlords who don't comply with the law could face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

The CP12 is a complete document that contains all the gas appliances in the home as well as the specific details for every inspection and any issues identified. The document also includes the name of the Gas Safe registered engineer who performed 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 all tenants within 28 days of their annual inspection or prior to the tenant moving in.

When choosing a Gas Safe registered engineer to conduct a CP12 inspection it is essential to choose a reputable professional with the expertise and reputation needed to provide an accurate examination. The best method to confirm the credentials of an engineer is to examine their Gas Safe ID card, which contains their registration number and the kinds of work they are qualified to carry out. It's also an excellent idea to read reviews and suggestions from other landlords.

Landlords who neglect to maintain a valid CP12 are at risk of hefty legal penalties, which could include fines and even imprisonment. A CP12 is also required to be valid for insurance purposes. This makes landlords vulnerable financially in the case 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 do I obtain one?

A CP12 is a legal document that confirms that the gas appliances within a property have been properly tested for safety. Landlords are required to maintain and obtain one for each property they lease to tenants. A CP12 contains the details of the inspection including the degree to which each appliance passed, and any work needed to bring them up-to-standard. This lets tenants know exactly what they are getting from a rental property, and also helps keep landlords from having to pay unexpected costs in the event of an issue.

A landlord must give an official 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 before the expiration date because failing to do this could expose them to a penalty fine, or even criminal prosecution.

A CP12 certificate isn't just a legal requirement, but it is also essential for the health of your tenants and well-being. A CP12 certificate will reveal any issues that could arise regarding the gas supply and appliances in your rental properties, which can be fixed before they grow into larger issues.

You can find an engineer registered online if you are looking for an CP12. You can recognize them by the Gas Safe logo that they wear on their uniform or on their service vans. It is also advisable to check with the governing body of CORGI (now Gas Safe) to make sure that your engineer is authorized to carry out CP12 inspections.

Klipboard is a landlord software solution that lets engineers quickly and efficiently complete their CP12 Gas Safety Certificates while on the field without the need to keep the track of large paper pads. They can also set up service reminders to send notifications to their clients when their next check is due.

How long are they good for?

If a landlord is able to complete a CP12 and passes it, the certificate is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of inspection. This is why it's vital for landlords to schedule regular CP12 checks and to ensure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could face a fine.

Ofttimes, there are a variety of reasons why landlords might fail to receive their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent is that they forget. This isn't a good excuse and the best option in this case is to politely remind them that their gas safety checks are due and then schedule the check immediately.

It is important to note that there is no grace period when it comes to a CP12 and any landlord who fails to renew their certificate after the expiry date will be in breach of the law. This could mean that they will not be able to rent out their property, and could be at risk of being cut off from gas off if the problem isn't fixed straight away.

Gas Safe Register, which is operated by the UK Health and Safety Executive, registers all engineers who are authorised for CP12 inspections and to issue gas safety certificates. You can see the logo of this official organization on the uniforms and vans of their companies. 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 can I get one?

Only engineers registered on the Gas Safe Register can issue a CP12. This ensures that the engineer is qualified to conduct a thorough inspection. The engineer will inform the landlord if the appliance fails the test and will recommend that any repairs needed be made prior to issuance of a new certificate. The landlord must give an original copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the inspection taking place.

Failure to have a valid CP12 could pose significant health and safety risks for tenants as well as putting the landlord in breach of the law. In addition, faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide, which is colourless and odourless, but they can also trigger explosions and fires. In addition blocked flues could prevent harmful gases from safely being ejected from the building, increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.


A regular CP12 Gas Safety Check will help minimize the risks, as any issues that need to be taken care of can be addressed quickly. The landlord is also responsible for carrying out annual maintenance on all gas appliances and pipework in their rental properties, in line with the manufacturer's instructions or manuals. The landlord must also keep a log of all maintenance work.

With the help of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these crucial tasks is a lot easier for landlords. 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 authentic CP12 in the required timeframe. This will help avoid fines and other issues that may arise from failing to adhere to the law.