10+ Things You Didn’t Know About CP12 Certificates (Landlord Gas Safety)
February 8, 2023 | Read: 9 minutes
When it comes to the law on gas safety, no landlord or tenant should be uninformed; that’s why we’ve put together this list of need-to-know facts about CP12 certificates, also called Landlord Gas Safety Certificates.
Faulty gas equipment can pose a threat to life and property and has the potential to be devastating.
From leaks causing illness or suffocation, to extreme faults causing explosions, it’s important to take gas safety seriously.
CP12 certificates provide proof that landlords have fulfilled their legal and moral obligations to maintain the assets present in their properties.
We’ve created this list of facts to explain more about these certificates, so let’s dive in. Below, you’ll find 10 need-to-know facts about CP12 certificates:
1. What is a CP12 Certificate?
CP12 is an abbreviation of full title: CORGI Proforma 12. A CP12 certificate is an official document that confirms a gas safety check was carried out by a gas safe registered engineer.
The CP12 certificate includes important information like the date of the inspection, the property address, and the results of each safety check
Today, Gas Safety Certificates are managed by the Gas Safe Register. On top of that, CP12 certificates are more commonly known by the name: Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
For almost two decades, from 1991-2009, the legally authorised regulatory body for UK gas installers was CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers). CORGI gave the CP12 certificate its official classification.
2. What’s the Difference Between CP12 and Landlord Gas Safety Certificates?
There is no difference between the two documents, CP12 is the original name for Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
Although CORGI lost its official standing as the regulatory body for UK gas engineers, old habits die hard and many businesses still call these certificates CP12s. You’ll likely you’ll hear “CP12” and “Landlord Gas Safety Certificate” used regularly and interchangeably.
While this will become less frequent as time moves on, our aim is to provide some clarity in this article.
3. How Much Does a CP12 Gas Safe Certificate Cost?
There is no set price for a CP12 certificate. Instead, it’s entirely up to your company how much to charge for the inspection and certificate.
Prices for an inspection can range from as little as £35 to as much as £150+.
Prices will vary due to the size of a property and the number of assets that require inspection (see more on this below). So again, it’s not necessarily the cost of the certificate itself.
Where that may change is whether additional copies are required. Prices might also increase if there’s a need for repairs or part replacements, but that will be a separate issue.
The cost of your Landlord Gas Safety check will depend on the Gas Safe registered business who carries out your annual gas safety check. We recommend getting at least three quotes from companies before arranging for the check to be carried out.
Gas Safe Register
4. The Importance of Gas Safety
Gas safety is at the heart of every responsible landlord’s duty of care. Ensuring that all gas appliances in rental properties are safe and well-maintained is not just a best practice—it’s a legal requirement for UK landlords.
A gas safety certificate is the official proof that gas safety checks have been completed and that all appliances are operating safely.
These safety checks are vital for protecting tenants from the dangers of gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, and potential fires or explosions.
By prioritizing gas safety, landlords demonstrate their commitment to:
- providing a secure living environment
- fulfilling their legal obligations, and
- building a reputation as reliable and responsible property owners.
Ultimately, regular gas safety checks help safeguard both tenants and landlords, ensuring peace of mind for everyone involved.
5. There’s an Annual Obligation
By law, gas safety regulations state that a landlord must arrange a gas safety inspection for every property they own on an annual basis.
An annual service of gas appliances, such as boilers, is recommended to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations.
The responsibility is on the landlord to organise and pay for the inspection and certificate, as well as any repairs required.
All gas appliances should be regularly serviced by a qualified engineer as part of the landlord’s responsibilities
The annual gas safety check is not only a legal requirement but also an opportunity to have all appliances properly serviced and maintained.
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6. There’s a Twelve-Month Lifespan
As stated earlier, gas certificates typically last for twelve months from the date of issue and not from the date of the inspection.
This is an important distinction.
After all, if any repairs or maintenance is required between the inspection and issue of the certificate then this will extend the date when the next inspection is required.
Gas safety compliance must be consistent and uninterrupted.
7. A Certificate Covers all Gas Equipment in a Property
The regulations around CP12 certificates cover all gas-related equipment in a property.
This includes gas appliances such as ovens and boilers, pipework and fittings responsible for the conveyance of gas, and exhaust equipment, such as flues and chimneys.
An inspection typically involves:
- Check appliances for gas tightness
- Check the standing and working gas pressure (if test points are available)
- Check the burner pressure/gas pressure against the manufacturer’s data plate
- Check for the satisfactory provision of all necessary ventilation
- Test the flue flow to ensure the removal of products of combustion
- Check that safety devices work properly
- Check for any user error or misuse of gas devices or items
During the gas inspection, a gas safe engineer will inspect all relevant appliances, boilers, and fittings to ensure they meet safety standards. Only a registered gas safe engineer is legally allowed to carry out the inspection and issue the certificate
Should any of the above checks fail then the landlord will need to arrange for any repairs to be made before a re-inspection can be carried out.
Again, it’s important that enough time is given between inspections and certificate expiry dates. This way, repairs can be made, new certificates issued, all without failing compliance.
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8. There are Specific Timeframes to Follow
Tenants must be issued with a copy of the CP12 certificate within 28 days of the document being issued. In addition, landlords are legally required to keep their copy of the form on file for a minimum of two years.
Landlords must maintain proper records of all gas safety inspections, including gas safety records and copies of each certificate. It is acceptable to keep an electronic copy of the gas safety record, provided it can be produced when needed.
Ultimately, this allows for any auditing to be carried out, should it be deemed necessary.
Note: Tenants and relevant parties should have access to these records, either as a physical document or an electronic copy. This can be achieved through use of a customer portal, like the one provided by Commusoft.
9. Responsibilities to New Tenants
Every tenant must receive a copy of the most recent CP12 certificate upon moving into the property for the first time.
The document should form part of their letting pack, along with their tenancy agreement and any other documents to which they’re entitled.
10. What is the Gas Safe Register?
After CORGI lost their official standing, the title passed to Gas Safe, which operates on behalf of the UK Health and Safety Executive.
Any engineer carrying out gas safety inspections and issuing CP12 certificates must be registered with the organisation. You’ll likely see a Gas Safe logo on the uniforms of gas safe registered engineers, or on the vans of companies you work with. It’s not a bad idea to incorporate these on your service van’s design.
Gas Safe has a “find an engineer” search function on its website which allows users to check on the registration status of a particular engineer and search for registered professionals in their area.
11. Obtaining a CP12 Certificate
To secure a CP12 gas safety certificate, landlords must hire a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect all gas appliances in the rental property.
As explained, the engineer will assess each appliance to ensure it operates at the correct pressure, combusts gas properly, has adequate ventilation, and that flues and exhausts are safely removing fumes. This is to ensure there are no risks to tenants.
If standards are met, a CP12 certificate is issued, detailing the engineer’s credentials, inspection date, property address, and appliance records.
Any issues and recommendations are also noted. Landlords can find qualified engineers via the Gas Safe Register or through their letting agent.
12. Go Paperless with Digital CP12 and Landlord Gas Safety Certificates
CP12 certificates are usually completed on bulky pads of triplicate paper. Switching to a digital certificate can help save time, reduce paperwork, and improve organization.
With an engineer’s day frequently involving dirty work, these pads can quickly become greasy and battered, resulting in unprofessional-looking documents. Gas engineer software can help field crews organise everything they handle in the field.
With gas certificate software, all forms will be legible, clean, and crisp. Copies can be instantly sent to everyone who is entitled to one. They can be stored on a computer instead of in bulky filing cabinets. Digital certificates offer a secure and professional way to manage gas safety documentation, making it easier to resend or access records if needed.
A digital and paper-free solution will also allow field service companies to improve their carbon footprint and work towards a more sustainable industry. In addition, touchscreen signature capture features mean there is no need to ever print out a physical copy.
Explore the custom forms feature with Commusoft and build bespoke forms for any situation!
Manage Digital Certificates with Commusoft:
Producing CP12 and Landlord Gas Safety certificates can be a cumbersome and time-consuming task. If you are looking for a digital solution for your business, come and see for yourself how Commusoft can help!
Our custom form tool can help transform how you use and manage gas certificates and empower your business to always stay ahead of the game. This way, you can meet the day-to-day demands of the modern field service environment with confidence.
We’re certain that your gas engineers will love being able to create these essential certificates quickly and efficiently through Commusoft’s user-friendly software.
Join hundreds of like-minded professionals and add Commusoft’s gas certificate software to your toolbox, today!
