CP12 Gas Safety Certificates – A Complete Guide
Navigating the ever-changing regulations and compliance standards in the UK housing sector can be challenging. The risk of fines or even prison terms for non-compliance puts significant pressure on landlords, but also means there is a significant and steady supply of jobs for gas engineers to complete annual safety checks.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and the inspection process. We’ll also provide tips on how you, as a gas engineer, can streamline and manage these tasks using technology.
Let’s start by breaking down what a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate is and the legal requirements associated with it.
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What is a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate?
In the UK, a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, guarantees that a property has undergone and passed its annual gas safety inspection. The assessment tests all gas-related equipment, such as ovens, heaters, and boilers, as well as any attached fittings or exhausts, ensuring they’re safe to use.
What Does a Gas Safety Certificate Say?
A CP12 Gas Safety Certificate confirms that all gas-related appliances meet safety standards.
The record lists details like:
- The company that carried out the assessment
- The customer and property location
- The appliances checked
- The specific tests performed and the results
- The status of CO and smoke alarms (whether they are installed and working correctly)
Should the inspection uncover any defects or instances of non-compliance, these are recorded and a warning notice is issued. The landlord is then required to fix the problems before the certificate can be finalised and approved.
Download a sample CP12 certificate to get a closer look:
What Are the Legal Requirements?
A CP12 Gas Safety certificate is a legal requirement for all rental properties in the UK. Tenants must be provided with a copy of the safety certificate when moving in and again within 28 days of issuing a new certificate. In addition, landlords must keep a record of gas safety inspections for at least two years. That being said, it’s a worthwhile process to ensure peace of mind for all homeowners.
What Do Engineers Need to Know to Fill This Out Correctly?
To accurately carry out the inspection and complete a CP12 certificate, engineers must have full access to all gas appliances and equipment within the property. They need information about the make and model of each appliance and, ideally, access to the manufacturer’s specifications. This ensures they can verify that the appliance’s settings and functionality meet the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How Is a CP12 Gas Safety Inspection Arranged?
Landlords are primarily responsible for arranging a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate; however, a tenant can also request one. If they don’t already have a contact, customers are advised to use the Gas Safe website and search for a registered engineer by postcode. This will ensure that checks and certificates issued comply with legal obligations and guarantee safety.
Heating and plumbing companies will also advertise their services to cater to this market. If these companies have already worked for a customer before, it’s common practise to issue reminders about an upcoming expiry date, prompting the landlord to arrange the inspection.
Read more about our automated reminders to see how Gas Engineer Software can help you effortlessly book more jobs.
Who Can Provide a Gas Safety Certificate?
Only engineers registered with Gas Safe are authorised to complete an assessment and issue a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate. These professionals will have the experience and knowledge to ensure that gas systems operate safely, gas pressure meets the manufacturer’s guidelines, and all safety devices are installed and functioning properly.
What Does a Typical Inspection Procedure Look Like?
- The presence of gas leaks
- The tightness of fittings and signs of wear
- That gas pressure meets the manufacturer’s specifications
- If there is appropriate ventilation
- Flue flow to safely remove combustible products
- For errors, misuse of devices, or damage
The landlord receives a warning notice if any issues are identified during the inspection. Repairs should be made as soon as possible to allow for a follow-up inspection. The certificate can be issued when the property meets gas safety standards.
Are There Any Challenges With the Certification Process?
Since they are often the most common type of job for heating & plumbing companies, most gas safety checks are straightforward.
However, working for customers with older or heritage-listed properties can be a little more tricky. This is because older properties may not have systems installed in ways that comply with modern standards, and it can be difficult to bring them into compliance. Moreover, some gas systems in these older properties might have been poorly maintained for a long time, adding to the issue.
Keeping up-to-date with changing regulations and standards adds another level of complexity to the certification process, and this is where Gas Engineer Software becomes invaluable. It offers an all-in-one solution to efficiently manage all work orders, schedules, invoices, and certificates. This software helps engineers eliminate paperwork clutter and manage their time better.
What are the Benefits of Using Gas Engineer Software?
Using Gas Engineer Software streamlines the CP12 Gas Safety inspection process through reliable scheduling, easy to create digital certificates, and professional paperwork. All the certificates created through Gas Engineer Software come with pre-filled with essential details like customer, property, and company information to help save time and effort.
The software then helps you stay organised by linking all certificates for each property using a unique job number and customer details. Any related documents like quotes and invoices, are also organised the same way, making sure that all important documents are always accessible and never misplaced.
See what Gas Engineer Software certificates look like by trying out our sample template:
Another major benefit of using Gas Engineer Software is the automated reminders. Landlords don’t want to miss the deadline for renewing their gas safety record, but keeping track of dates and heating & plumbing company contacts is just another thing to worry about.
Our software has a built-in reminder setting that will notify customers one month before the inspection is due, giving them ample time to arrange the annual inspection.
Reminders like these are not only helpful for customers, but generate reliable repeat business that provides a significant revenue bonus for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do landlords have to do a Gas Safety Certificate every year?
Yes, obtaining a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate annually is a legal requirement for all UK properties. This certificate must be issued by a registered Gas Safe engineer.
How do you get a CP12 certificate online?
While inspections can be booked online, the inspection must be conducted in person by a certified engineer who will examine and test the gas appliances and systems.
How long does a CP12 certificate inspection take?
A CP12 Gas Safety inspection usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of gas appliances and the extent of the issues identified. Older properties with more complex gas systems and issues may take longer to assess.
Can I do my own gas safety certificate?
No, a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate can only be issued by a UK Gas Safe registered engineer. To find your nearest Gas Safe registered engineer, check the Gas Safe website.
Is there a grace period for gas safety certificates?
It’s possible to schedule a gas safety inspection up to two months before the due date. However, there is no grace period for exceeding the certificate’s validity period.
To remain compliant, landlords must provide a new certificate to their tenants within 28 days of it being issued. Failing to do so can result in fines of up to £6,000 and/or six months in prison. In worst-case scenarios, if a fatality results from non-compliant gas systems, those responsible could be charged with manslaughter.
Can a plumber do a gas safety check?
No, only Gas Safe registered engineers can inspect and certify gas systems compliant with the CP12 Gas Safety regulations. However, many Gas Safe registered engineers also carry out plumbing work.
How long is a gas safety certificate valid for the UK?
The UK CP12 Gas Safety Certificate is valid for 12 months and can be renewed up to two months before the due date.
Want More?
To better understand what is required and get started, download our free CP12 template. This template can be completed online, and you can even customise it by adding your business logo and inserting digital signatures.
Next steps:
If you’ve been thinking about implementing software into your workflow to save time, here’s what you can do next:
- Visit our resources centre where you'll find more articles like this one and our free gas rate calculator.
- Start a free trial to see exactly how our software works for your business.
- Watch our video demo to get an idea of how our software works. You can also book a 1-on-1 session with our customer success team for a more personalised experience.
- Know an engineer who's still using paper? Help them and us out by sending our software their way!
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