What Is a CP12?
A CP12, more formally a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is the certificate issued after a Gas Safe registered engineer checks every gas appliance, flue and piece of associated pipework in a rented property. It confirms the appliances are safe to use and complies with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.
Is It a Legal Requirement?
Yes -- if you let a property in Scotland (or anywhere in the UK) with any gas appliance installed, whether that's a boiler, gas fire, gas hob or gas cooker, you are legally required to have an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and to provide a copy of the current certificate to your tenants.
What the Check Covers
- Gas tightness testing on the supply to each appliance
- Checking each appliance is operating at the correct pressure
- Confirming safety devices are functioning correctly
- Checking flues and ventilation are adequate and unobstructed
- Visual inspection of pipework and connections
Timing: Don't Leave It Until the Deadline
The check must be carried out within 12 months of the previous one -- but you don't need to wait until the exact anniversary. It's good practice to renew a few weeks early, so a small delay in booking an engineer doesn't leave you with a gap in compliance, particularly during busier periods like autumn when boiler-related callouts increase across Glasgow.
What Happens If You're Non-Compliant
Landlords who fail to arrange an annual gas safety check can face prosecution, and in the event of an incident, a lack of a valid CP12 significantly worsens the legal position of the landlord. Beyond the legal risk, it's simply the responsible thing to do for anyone living in a property with your name on the gas safety record.
New Tenancies and New Appliances
A gas safety check is also required whenever a new gas appliance is installed, and it's good practice to provide a copy of the current certificate to new tenants at the start of their tenancy, alongside the standard 28-day requirement to provide it to existing tenants after each check.
Combining CP12 With a Full Service
A CP12 check confirms an appliance is safe, but it doesn't always go as far as a full manufacturer-recommended service. Many landlords choose to combine the two in a single visit -- the safety check for compliance, plus a full service to catch wear items and keep any boiler warranty valid, which is more cost-effective than booking two separate visits.
Keeping Track of Renewal Dates
With multiple properties, or even just one, it's easy to lose track of exactly when a certificate is due to expire. We can set up renewal reminders so you're never caught out by an expiry date creeping up unnoticed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CP12 if the property has no gas appliances at all?
No -- the requirement applies specifically to properties with gas appliances installed. An all-electric property has no CP12 requirement.
Who keeps a copy of the certificate?
The landlord must keep records for at least two years and provide a copy to tenants -- within 28 days of the check for existing tenants, and at the start of a new tenancy for new tenants.
Book Your CP12 With BeSafe 24-7
Our boiler servicing and CP12 service covers landlord gas safety checks across Glasgow, with documentation provided on the day and renewal reminders available.
Book your CP12 today -- call 0141 374 0545.