10 Things You Didn’t Know About CP12 Certificates (Landlord Gas Safety)
February 8, 2023 | Read: 7 minutes
When it comes to the laws about gas safety, no landlord or tenant should be uninformed; that’s why we’ve put together this essential list of need-to-know facts about CP12 certificates, also called Landlord Gas Safety Certificates.
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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…
Even as we begin to use cleaner forms of energy, it’s important to never underestimate the importance of gas safety.
CP12 certificates provide proof that landlords have fulfilled their legal and moral obligations to maintain the equipment 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?
The name of CP12 certificates is an abbreviation of CORGI Proforma 12. 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.
Today, Gas Safety Certificates are managed by the Gas Safe Register. CP12 certificates are more commonly known by the name: Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
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.
When CORGI lost its official standing as the regulatory body for UK gas engineers, the CP12 name became irrelevant. The document was renamed the Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.
However, old habits die hard and it’s likely you’ll hear both terms used regularly and interchangeably. While this will become less frequent as people adjust and older generations of engineers leave the profession, our aim is for this article to provide clarity on the subject.
3. How much does a CP12 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 the document that follows the job.
Prices for an inspection can range from as little as £35 to as much as £150, ore more.
Prices vary due to the size of the 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. However, additional costs may apply if 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. 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.
The responsibility is on the landlord to organise and pay for the inspection and certificate, as well as any repairs required.
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5. 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.
6. 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
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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7. 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.
Ultimately, this allows for any auditing to be carried out, should it be deemed necessary.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Go Paperless with Digital CP12 and Landlord Gas Safety Certificates
CP12 certificates are usually completed on bulky pads of triplicate paper.
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.
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.
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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!
