20 Misconceptions About Gas Safety Certificate: Busted

· 6 min read
20 Misconceptions About Gas Safety Certificate: Busted

Why Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate CP12

Any person who rents out a piece of their property must obtain a CP12 gas safety certificate. This ensures that all appliances are safe and in compliance with the law.

Landlords must also keep the records of all inspections. This will be helpful in the event that the landlord decides to sell their property.

Legal Requirements

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

Landlords who do not adhere to the law put their tenants at risk of dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning and could face potential legal action. They also risk losing their landlord insurance coverage.

In order to conduct an inspection and issue a gas safety certificate engineers need access to the property and the full information of all appliances in need of checking and the make and model details for each appliance, along with access to the manufacturer's specifications. Engineers should also be able to verify that each appliance functions properly and that all pipework, fittings and other equipment are in good condition.

Any issues discovered during the inspection will be recorded on the CP12 and suggested solutions. If the faults are not fixed, a second inspection will be required and a new certification will be issued once the problem is resolved. The CP12 will include the date of the next inspection.  how long does gas safety certificate last  is crucial to schedule this quickly in order to avoid any problems.

Only Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified to complete an assessment and issue the gas safety certificate. Landlords can search on the internet for Gas Safe engineers in their area. Landlords should choose an engineer with affordable prices and a reliable service to ensure their tenants are protected from potentially dangerous gas-related issues.

What is what is CP12?

A CP12 is a certificate issued by an Gas Safe registered engineer following a thorough inspection of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues at a property. This certificate is an essential element of the landlord's responsibilities under UK law. It is a way to ensure that tenants are living in a healthy and safe environment. Landlords who do not comply with the law could face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

The CP12 is a complete document that includes all the gas appliances that are in the property, along with specific details of each inspection, as well as any issues that were discovered. 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 an original copy of CP12 to each tenant within 28 days after their annual inspection, or prior to the tenant moving into.

It is essential to select the right Gas Safe registered professional to conduct an CP12 examination. The person you choose should have the experience and reputation to provide a thorough inspection. Verifying the Gas Safe ID card of an engineer is the best way to verify their credentials. The card contains their registration number as well as what kind of work they're competent to do. You can also review and get recommendations from other landlords.

Landlords who fail to maintain an active CP12 are subject to severe legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. In addition, lack of a CP12 could lead to the invalidation of insurance policies for landlords and leave them financially vulnerable in the case of a gas-related event. 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 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 includes the details of the inspection, including if each appliance was passed or failed, as well as any work needed to bring them to a standard. This ensures that tenants know what to expect when renting out a property and it helps to avoid costly costs for landlords if an issue arises.

A landlord must provide an original copy of the CP12 to the new tenant within 28 days following the inspection. They must also keep records for their own reference. Landlords should also make sure to renew their CP12 before it expires because failing to do so could lead to a penalty fine or even criminal prosecution.

Getting a CP12 certificate isn't just legal however, it's also important for your tenants' health and well-being. A CP12 will detect any potential issues with your rental property's gas supply or appliances, so that they can be addressed before they become bigger problems.

If you're interested in getting a CP12 You can locate an engineer registered with Gas Safe online. You can identify them using the Gas Safe Logo that they wear on their uniforms or on their service vehicles. You should also check with CORGI, the governing body (now Gas Safe), to confirm that your engineer is registered to carry out CP12 inspections.

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

How long are they good for?

The certificate given to landlords who have successfully completed a CP12 is valid for a period of 12 months following the date of the inspection. It is therefore important for landlords book regular CP12 inspections and to ensure that their certificate doesn't expire. If it does then the landlord is in violation of the law and could be punished with a fine.

There are a variety of reasons why landlords may fail to receive their CP12 renewed. One of the most frequent is that they simply forget. This isn't an excuse. The best thing to do is to remind them politely that their gas safety inspection is due, and then plan it 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 fails to renew their certificate prior to the expiry date will be in breach of the law. If the problem is not fixed immediately, they may be unable to rent their home and 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 can see the logo of this official organization on the uniforms and vans of their businesses. Gas Safe registration numbers are also required to book an inspection. This number is unique to them and can be used to search their information on the Gas Safe Register if you are unsure of their status.

Where can I find one?

A CP12 can only be issued by an engineer who is registered on the Gas Safe Register. This ensures the engineer is fully qualified for an extensive inspection. If an appliance fails the check the engineer will inform the landlord and suggest any needed repairs before a new certificate is issued. The landlord is required to provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to tenants within 28 days of the date that the inspection took place.

Failure to have a valid CP12 could pose significant risk to the health and safety of tenants, as well as putting the landlord in violation of the law. Faulty appliances can produce inodorless and colourless carbon monoxide. They also can cause explosions and fires. Additionally blocked flues can stop harmful gases from being safely expelled out of the home, thereby increasing the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Regular CP12 Gas Safety checks can reduce these risks since any issues can be resolved quickly. In accordance with the instructions or manuals issued by the manufacturer landlords are also accountable to perform annual maintenance on gas appliances and pipework within their rental properties. The landlords must also keep a record of the maintenance work carried out.

With the help of free landlord software like BOXT, keeping track of these crucial 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 ensure their tenants have an official CP12 within the specified time. Ultimately, this helps to avoid the fines and disruption that can come from not observing the law.