What Is A CP12 Certificate? The Essential Annual Guide For Landlords

A CP12 certificate is like a landlord’s badge of honour, proving that they have passed the legal requirements of testing gas appliances on their property. Another name it often goes by is a Gas Safety Certificate – among others.

Whether you’re a landlord or tenant, it’s vital to understand what a CP12 certificate is. Without one of these certificates, landlords do not comply with legal requirements and can’t receive money for a rental property as it’s deemed unsafe.

So, now that you have a brief idea of what these are, let’s take an in-depth look at CP12 certificates to find out more about what they mean, what they cover, and pretty much everything in between!

CP12 Certificates: The Basics

CP12 stands for “Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) Proforma 12”.

From 1991 to 2009, CORGI was the UK’s gas safety regulator and coined the term CP12. In 2009, the company was taken over by the Gas Safe Register but the “CP12 certificate” name has stuck.

Other names for CP12s are:

• CORGI Certificates
• Landlord Gas Safety Certificates
• Gas Safety Certificates

Purpose of CP12 certificates

Landlords need a valid Gas Safety Certificate for all their rental properties. Landlord gas safety regulations are a legal requirement to prove rental property gas safety. All gas equipment needs to be inspected every 12 months if you want to stay compliant.

A gas safety inspection is carried out by registered gas engineers who provide landlords with their Gas Safety Certificate (CP12). The certificate is valid from the date it is issued, not from the date of inspection.

What does a CP12 cover?

If you’re a tenant, before you sign on the dotted line for your new rental agreement, ask for a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate. This certificate covers all gas-related appliances on the property and is proof that your landlord isn’t cutting corners when it comes to your safety.

Unsafe gas appliances, fittings, or flue flow can have serious health and safety implications, from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning to starting fires.

What does a Gas Safe-registered engineer do?

• Check appliances for gas tightness
• Assess gas equipment for faults or damage
• Combustion check
• Check the burner pressure and gas pressure against the manufacturer’s data plate
• Ensure that safety devices are in working order
• Check standing and working gas pressure
• Test the flue flow and chimney

All rental properties should be fitted with gas safety devices such as CO alarms. While gas safety inspections ensure a gas appliance is safe, faulty components may pose a risk.

Getting A CP12 Certificate

Scheduling annual inspections

Getting your CP12 certificate can be daunting – but it doesn’t have to be when you have Eco Happy on your side! Say goodbye to pulling your hair out from complex scheduling systems and hello to simplified perfection.

We’ll ensure your CP12 form and a landlord gas safety check are completed before expiry, ensuring you stay compliant for all your rental properties. Contact us today to schedule your next annual inspection!

What if repairs or replacements are needed?

Gas safety checks cover gas pressure and flue flow, and once an inspection is done, the Gas Safe registered engineer will issue landlords with their Gas Safety Certificate.

But what happens if a gas appliance isn’t safe or needs repair?

If Gas Safe engineers pick up issues during an inspection, they will document their findings in the report, using symbols like this:

• Immediately Dangerous (ID): An appliance is a danger to tenants and should be repaired as soon as possible. The gas supply to these appliances will usually be shut off.
• At Risk (AR): This is for faulty appliances that could become problematic. The gas supply will also usually be disconnected from these appliances.
• Not to Current Standards (NCS): This means an appliance is outdated but still safe to use; however, a replacement is recommended.

If you have any of these findings in your report, ensure these appliances are NOT used until the necessary repairs are done. The inspector will schedule a follow-up review to ensure you’re compliant.

What is issued on Landlord Gas Safety Certificates?

Here’s a CP12 example and what goes on your landlord gas safety record:

• The date of inspection
• The address of your property
• A description, including its location, of all test points
• Results of the operational gas safety for each appliance
• Gas readings from your gas meter
• Any faults noticed, together with required action to fix them (including a follow-up inspection date)
• The name and registration number of the inspector

How long does it take to get a CP12 certificate?

You’ll usually receive your CP12 Safety Certificate within 48 hours after an inspection is completed. It will be sent to you via email. However, this may take a little longer if the inspection falls over a weekend.

How much does a Gas Safety Certificate cost?

• The average price of a CP12 certificate is £80.
• If you have more than one boiler, gas hob or fireplace on your property, you may be charged an additional £10 per appliance.
• Inspectors registered with the Gas Safe Register will do a gas safety check before giving you your CP12 certificate.

Meeting CP12 Requirements

It’s a legal requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations of 1998 to ensure all gas appliances, fittings and flues are safe and secure.

Landlords need to have new gas appliances inspected by a Gas Safe-registered engineer within 12 months of their installation, including new fittings and flues. Landlords need to keep records of these annual gas safety checks and provide copies to tenants within 28 days.

Landlords can also be proactive by keeping an eye on the boilers and central heating in their properties. This can prevent any surprises should the time come for the annual inspection. To help with this, landlords can consult Eco Happy’s DIY Boiler Check Guide.

Under the Gas Safety Regulations of 2018, an annual gas safety check can be done two months before the annual expiry date. These checks can be done at the 10-month mark, as opposed to waiting the full 12 months.

• Certificates must be renewed every 12 months from the date of inspection (not from the date of issue).
• Copies must be provided to all tenants within 28 days of issue.
• It is the law that landlords are required to keep copies of their certificates for two years.

Implications of non-compliance

Without a Gas Safety Certificate, landlords may be liable to pay hefty fines, face lengthy court battles or possibly serve jail time.

To keep you on the right track, here’s a list to ensure you’re taking the necessary compliance steps:

• Notify your tenants about any potential safety concerns in writing.
• Ensure the gas supply is disconnected from faulty equipment and put up “Do Not Use” signs.Taking photos as proof of these signs can be helpful.
• Make sure tenants do NOT use these appliances until the repairs and a follow-up inspection have been done.
• Ensure the Gas Safe inspector has recorded these faults on their report.
• Arrange repairs or replacements as soon as possible.
• Get the inspector to sign off on a new report stating that the maintenance and repairs have been done.
• Send a copy of this report to your tenants.

Tips for staying compliant

1. Ensure the gas safety inspectors you use are registered with the Gas Safety Register. Ask to see their ID card (with a unique registration number) and check their qualifications for specific gas work.
2. Set reminders for your annual checks to avoid falling into the non-compliant zone.
3. Keep a paper trail of all correspondence relating to your Gas Safety Certificate. This includes communication with your tenants and inspectors.

FAQs

Who is responsible for a gas certificate? 

All landlords, hotels, B&Bs, and boarding schools are responsible for annual Gas Safety Certificates (CP12 certificates).

Can you evict a tenant without a Gas Safety Certificate?

No. Without this certificate, your insurance coverage will be cancelled and landlords can’t use Section 21 of the Eviction Act. This means you will be unable to evict a tenant if you have an invalid Gas Safety Certificate.

What’s the difference between a CP12 and a Gas Safety Certificate?

There is no difference between these two certificates. A CP12 certificate has several different names such as Gas Safety Certificate, Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and CORGI Certificate.

Should I service my boiler once a year to remain compliant?

Knowing how often should a boiler be serviced is the first step to being compliant with your CP12 certificate. Since the CP12 certificate must be renewed annually, it is also a good idea to stick to yearly boiler servicing by registered Gas Safe engineers to ensure you remain compliant and prevent any unforseen repairs.

Conclusion

You are now armed with everything a landlord needs to know regarding CP12 certificates and remaining compliant.

As tenants, knowing that your landlord has ticked all the compliance boxes gives you peace of mind about your safety.

As landlords, we understand that this process can be time-consuming and stressful. Understanding the importance of a Gas Safety Certificate is important if you want to stay compliant and continue to rent out your properties.

Speak with the Eco Happy team today for all your Gas Safety Certificate needs!