What Is CP12 Certificate And How To Get It?

One of the most important things that landlords need to consider is gas safety. Although you do not need to take on the maintenance of gas appliances yourself, you have a responsibility to obtain a gas safety certificate for each property you rent out. 

In order to prove that your property does not have any gas-related issues, you are legally required to get a gas safety certificate CP12. This is why it is in your best interest to learn more about it. Fortunately, we have prepared the ultimate post just for you.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive right in.

What Is A CP12 Certificate?

A number of names are used for the gas installation certificate in the UK. You might have heard of the landlord’s gas safety certificate or the CP12. Both of these refer to the same document. CP12 actually stands for CORGI Proforma 12.  

The Gas Safe Register has been looking after gas safety since 1st April 2009 after it replaced the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). However, the same name was adopted for the document landlords have to obtain.

Other generic names were also adopted over the years such as Gas Safety Record and the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate. In fact, if you hire an older gas engineer, chances are that he or she would still call it the CP12. On the other hand, newly qualified engineers refer to it as the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.

Why Do You Need To Get A CP12 Certificate?

A CP12 certificate is used as evidence to prove that the landlord has fulfilled his or her legal obligation to perform safety checks of all the gas equipment in the property that has been rented out. 

The main reason why a qualified engineer needs to check all the gas appliances every year is that poorly installed or maintained equipment can be extremely dangerous. If you fail to obtain a CP12 certificate for the rented-out property, you would end up getting fined and even sentenced to prison for up to 6 months. 

The gas safety checks must be conducted on the pipework, boilers, ovens, chimneys, flues, and other fittings which exhaust or burn gas. The gas engineer would check the following.

• The appliances continue to burn gas properly. 
• There is adequate air supply to the appliances. 
• The correct pressure is used by the appliances.
• The safety devices of the appliances work as desired. 
• The chimneys and flues are clear so that gases and fumes can be discharged safely. 

After the inspection is complete, you will receive the CP12 certificate. It should contain the following information.

• The address of the property.
• The date of the gas safety inspection.
• The location and information of the gas appliances and flues. 
• The name, signature, and ID number of the Gas Safe registered engineer.
• If any problem has been identified and if there is a need for any follow-up action to resolve it.
• The name and address of the letting agent (if the property is being managed by a third party) or the landlord. 
• Confirmation from the Gas Safe registered engineer ensuring that the check has been properly completed and meets the legal requirements. 
• The date of the next gas safety check. It should be 12 months from the date of issuing the certificate. 

Now, if a new tenant is moving into your property, you will have to book the gas safety check before the move as you are legally bound to provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant beforehand. Moreover, you have to provide a copy of the latest gas safety certificate to existing tenants within 28 days from the date of its issue. 

How Much Time Would It Take For A Gas Safety Check To Be Completed?

Generally, gas safety checks are rather straightforward. This means that work should be done within 20 to 30 minutes. However, the amount of time it would take for the checks to be complete depends entirely on the number of gas appliances you have.

The more appliances your property has the more time it would take. Moreover, you also have to keep in mind that urgent repairs would add up time. Make sure that you provide access to the gas engineer so that he or she is able to get the job done quickly. 

What Would Happen If Gas Safety Issues Are Identified?

If your gas appliances have any problems, the gas engineer would advise you about the repairs needed to ensure that you can use them safely. If it is not possible for the repairs to be carried out immediately, you will have to ensure that nobody uses the appliances.

Furthermore, you will need to maintain the documentation for any follow-up work and action. Keep in mind that landlords have to keep gas safety records for at least 2 years. 

Who Can Issue The CP12 Certificate?

Only an engineer who has been registered with Gas Safe is permitted to perform gas safety inspections and provide a CP12 certificate. This is why it is recommended that you head over to the Gas Safe website to determine whether the gas engineer is even registered or not. 

The engineer should provide you with their Gas Safe registration card which you need to inspect. It would allow you to ensure that the engineer is qualified to conduct the gas safety checks.

The Cost of Gas Installation Certificate

When it comes to the cost of gas safety installation certificates, the cost varies depending on the company you decide to hire. However, you will need to spend anywhere from £35 to £150. To make sure that you are not overcharged, you should request at least 3 engineers to provide a quote. 

Takeaway

After you have gone over the post, you will know everything about the CP12 certificate. Once again, it is crucial that you choose a reputable gas engineer for a stress-free experience. The last thing you want is to suffer from a gas safety hazard.