Gas Safety Certificates CP12

Who needs a Gas Safety Certificate?

In the UK, a gas safety certificate (commonly known as a Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 certificate) is required for certain individuals and situations involving gas appliances. Here’s who needs one:

  1. Landlords:

    • Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords are legally required to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate for all gas appliances, pipework, and flues in their rental properties. This must be done annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

    • The certificate ensures the safety of tenants, and landlords must provide a copy to their tenants within 28 days of the check or to new tenants before they move in.

  2. Property Owners Selling or Renting:

    • While not a legal requirement for homeowners selling their property, some buyers or mortgage lenders may request a Gas Safety Certificate as part of the sale process to confirm the safety of gas installations.

    • If you’re renting out a property (even short-term, like Airbnb), you’ll need one if gas appliances are present.

  3. Businesses with Gas Appliances:

    • Commercial property owners or businesses (e.g., restaurants, offices) with gas appliances must ensure annual gas safety checks are conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This applies to ensuring employee and customer safety.

  4. Homeowners (Optional):

    • Homeowners living in their own property aren’t legally required to have a Gas Safety Certificate. However, it’s recommended to get annual checks for safety, especially if you have gas boilers, cookers, or fires.

What is included in a Gas Safety Check ?

A gas safety inspection will cover all gas systems and appliances, The gas supply (meter and pipework), gas boiler,hob/cooker/oven and any gas fires.

General:

  • The Meter is inspected and control valve is tested. Earth bonding tested.

  • The whole installation is tested for tightness to detect any gas leakage

  • Standing pressure and working pressure are measured to ensure adequate supply

  • Ventilation is visually inspected to comply with current standards

  • sufficiently located and suitable CO detector is present

Boiler/water heater:

  • Electrical safety checks to confirm compliance to regulations

  • Test burner and gas pressures against the manufacturer’s data

  • Visually inspect the flame picture where necessary (older Boilers)

  • Measure Combustion analysis to ensure flue flow and combustion is correct

  • ake burner pressure and gas rate to confirm the correct supply of gas

    and integrity/size of pipework

  • Test safety devices are working and for any misuse of gas appliances.

Hob/cooker:

  • Electrical safety check

  • Visual inspection of combustion and suitable ignition

  • Test Control knobs and flame supervision devices

  • Inspect integrity/stability of appliance and any seals

  • Measure clearances

  • Test gas rating or burner pressure

Gas fires:

  • Inspect for adequate ventilation

  • Test ignition and safety device

  • Flue flow test with smoke, visually inspect any room/space through which the chimney/flue travels including loft spaces.

  • Remove the fire and backboard to inspect the builders entrance is free of debris

  • visually inspect the integrity of the flue/chimney

  • Test and set the burner pressure if necessary.

How Long Does A Gas Safety Check Take?

The gas safety check takes around 20 minutes per appliance to complete so for 2 items 40 minutes and 60 minutes for 3 etc.

What If My Property Fails Its Gas Safety Check?

If a gas appliance or installation doesn’t pass the gas safety check, your engineer will advise on the severity and remedial work required. If the required work is minor and is completed within 7 days a certificate can be issued with no further cost.

If an appliance does not pass then action will need to be taken depending on the seriousness of the issue:

A problem with the meter will require a visit from Transco and may take a number of days before the repair. Faulty or leaking installations may need to be switched off and disconnected depending on the problems highlighted.

they will be categorised as either:

Immediately Dangerous (ID) - installations and appliances pose an immediate danger to your property or tenant’s life.

At Risk (AR) - classification means one or more faults could pose a life-threatening risk.

If your property receives either of these results, the engineer will disconnect the gas supply and apply a ‘do not use’ warning sticker. You must seek remedial work as soon as possible.

How Long Does A Gas Safety Certificate Last?

Your certificate lasts for 12 months. You can arrange a gas safety check 10 to 12 months after the last check without affecting the original expiry date. The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Gas Safety Regulations 2018 set out the rules.

How Long Must The Landlord Keep The Gas Safety Certificate Once It Has Expired?

It is worth hanging on to your old gas safety check records for at least two years because they demonstrate a history of compliance and proper maintenance of the appliances.

What If The Tenant Owns Their Own Gas Appliances?

Appliances owned by your tenant aren’t your responsibility, but it’s up to you to ensure the safety of connecting flues. It would be in your interests to remind your tenants that their appliances should be checked by a Gas Safe-registered engineer each year. You could offer to include the appliance in your checks and servicing plans and pass on any additional costs.

When Should I Provide My Tenants With A Copy?

It’s a legal requirement to give new tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate before they move into the property. Existing tenants should receive it no more than 28 days after the inspection. If you don’t issue a copy, your tenants can complain to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

What Are The Penalties For Not Having A Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords can be imprisoned for up to 6 months and issued unlimited fines for failing to have a valid gas safety certificate. Your local council can also take action.

How Do Gas Safety Certificates Impact Service A Section 21 Notice?

You cannot serve a Section 21 notice unless you have provided your tenants with a copy of the gas safety certificate, How to Rent guide and EPC. In addition, you may have to cover your tenants’ legal costs.

What Information Does A Gas Safety Certificate Include?

A gas safety certificate should include all of the following information:

  • Address of the property where the check is completed

  • Description of the locations of each inspected appliance/chimney/flue

  • Name and address of the landlord

  • Any gas safety defects and remedial action carried out

  • Name, registration number and signature of the engineer

  • Date of the check

  • Confirmation that the engineer has examined the following on any gas appliance they have performed work on:

  • The effectiveness of any flue

  • The supply of combustion air

  • Its operating pressure and/or heat input

  • Its operating function to ensure safe functioning

  • A statement confirming the check complies with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Certificates include :

  • A description and location of each appliance or flue checked

  • The name, registration number and signature of the individual carrying out the check

  • The date on which the appliance or flue was checked

  • The address of the property checked

  • The name and address of the landlord (or their agent where appropriate)

  • Any safety-related defect identified and any remedial action taken

  • Confirmation that the safety check has included an examination of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) of

  • regulation 26(9) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

By law, you cannot rent your property to anyone until you have the required gas safety certification. Any potential tenants or letting agents will ask for a valid certificate.

By law, you have to produce one on request. A good landlord will want to ensure their tenants and property is safe.

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