Landlord gas safety certificates (CP12)
Your annual legal check, done properly and on time.
If you let a property with gas appliances, the law says every appliance and flue you provide must be safety checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The record of that check is what most people still call a CP12. We carry out the check, give you the record and flag anything that needs fixing, so you can meet your duties without chasing paperwork.
What the law asks of landlords
The duties come from the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. In plain terms:
- Have every gas appliance and flue you provide checked for safety every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Keep gas appliances, fittings and flues maintained in a safe condition
- Keep a record of each check for at least two years
- Give existing tenants a copy within 28 days of the check, and new tenants a copy before they move in
- For lets of under 28 days, such as holiday lets, display a copy somewhere prominent in the property
Keeping your renewal date
HSE rules let you have the annual check done up to two months before it is due and still keep the original deadline date. That means you can fit the check around a tenant's schedule without losing months off your cycle.
Put the date in your diary the day you get the record. Missing a check is one of the easiest ways for a landlord to end up in trouble, and HSE says breaking the regulations can lead to a substantial fine or a prison sentence.
What we check
On each appliance we provide the landlord's record for, the engineer checks it is working safely: gas tightness, burner pressure or heat input, ventilation, flue operation and that safety devices work.
The record lists each appliance and its location, the engineer's name, registration number and signature, the date, the property address, your name and address, and any defects with the action taken. Electronic copies are fine as long as they can be printed when needed.
Tenant-owned appliances, agents and holiday lets
If a tenant owns a gas appliance, you are not responsible for the appliance itself, but you are still responsible for the pipework, and HSE recommends including all flues in your check. Holiday cottages, chalets and caravans you let are covered by the same duties.
Using a letting agent? Your contract should say clearly who arranges the checks. If it is the agent, they take on the duty, but HSE advises landlords to ask for copies to make sure the work was done. Remember the separate rules on carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes too.
Gas and electrical checks are separate duties
Your gas safety certificate only covers gas. Electrical safety is a separate legal requirement for landlords in England: gov.uk guidance says the electrical installation in rented properties must be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years.
That inspection produces a report, usually an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which some people call an electrical safety certificate. Tenants get a copy, and so does the local council if it asks. We are Gas Safe registered gas engineers, so the EICR needs a qualified electrician rather than us. Most lets also need a valid energy performance certificate (EPC).
If a tenant won't give access
Your tenancy agreement should allow access for safety checks, but HSE is clear that you must not force entry. What a landlord must do is show they took all reasonable steps to comply.
HSE suggests leaving a note after a missed visit with your contact details, writing to explain that the annual gas safety check is a legal requirement for the tenant's own safety, and offering them the chance to pick a time. Keep a record of every attempt. We can work directly with tenants to find a slot that suits them.
How to get a gas safety certificate from us
Send us the property address, the tenant's contact details and a list of the gas appliances you provide: boiler, hob, gas fires and anything else. The engineer carries out the safety inspection on each appliance and the gas flues, and you get the landlord gas safety record with any defects clearly noted.
Keep your copy of the gas safety record with the tenancy paperwork and set a reminder for next year. If you'd like the boiler serviced at the same visit, say so when you book.
What is included
- Safety check on every gas appliance and flue you provide
- Gas tightness test on the installation
- Landlord gas safety record with all the details the regulations require
- Clear notes on any defects, with a price to put them right
- Optional boiler service at the same visit
Landlord gas safety certificates (CP12) FAQs
How often do I need a landlord gas safety certificate?
Every 12 months for each gas appliance and flue you provide. You can have the check done up to two months early and keep the same deadline date, which helps when tenants are hard to pin down.
Is a gas safety check the same as a boiler service?
No. The safety check confirms appliances are safe to use and is the legal minimum. A service cleans and checks the boiler so it keeps running well. Many landlords book both at one visit, which saves a second trip. See our boiler service cost page.
What happens if an appliance fails?
The engineer will explain the defect and how serious it is. If an appliance is dangerous, it will be turned off and labelled so it is not used until it is repaired. We price any fix before doing it.
Do I need a certificate for a holiday let?
Yes. HSE includes rented holiday accommodation in the landlord duties. For stays of under 28 days, you display a copy of the record in a prominent place in the property rather than handing one to each guest.
Can you deal with my tenants directly?
Yes. Give us their contact details and we can arrange access with them, then send the record to you.
Do you do checks for letting agents with several properties?
Yes. Have a look at our commercial heating page for planned maintenance across a portfolio.
How long does a landlord have to keep a gas safety certificate?
At least two years, according to HSE. Many landlords keep every record for the life of the tenancy and beyond, which makes it easy to show a full history of annual checks if a tenant, agent or council ever asks.
What does LGSR stand for?
Landlord Gas Safety Record. It is the same document people call a CP12 or a gas certificate: the record the Gas Safe registered engineer completes after checking each gas appliance and flue you provide.
Can a landlord be fined for not having an EICR?
Yes. Under the electrical safety rules for rented homes in England, gov.uk says local councils can impose a financial penalty of up to £40,000 on landlords who breach their duties. The EICR is carried out by a qualified electrician, separately from your gas safety check.
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