Landlord gas safety certificates explained

If you let a home with gas appliances, you need a gas safety check every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Here is what that means in practice.

What the law asks for

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:

• Have every gas appliance, fitting and flue they provide checked every 12 months
• Keep a record of each check (the Landlord Gas Safety Record, often still called a CP12) 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
• Make sure appliances are maintained in a safe condition between checks

Since October 2022, landlords in England must also fit a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that has a fixed combustion appliance, such as a boiler or gas fire.

What the check covers

The engineer tests each appliance for safe operation, checks flues and ventilation, checks that gas is burning correctly, and carries out a tightness test on the installation. If something fails, they will explain why and make it safe.

Book early, keep your date

A check carried out in the two months before the current record expires keeps the original expiry date. You do not lose time by booking early, and you avoid a lapse when a tenant is hard to reach.

Combine it with a boiler service

Most boiler warranties need an annual service. We can do the service and the gas safety check in a single visit, which means one appointment for your tenant and one call-out for you.

How we handle it

Send us your tenant’s details. We agree a time with them, confirm it with you, and email you the certificate when the check is done, with a copy for the tenant if you want one. Letting agents and maintenance companies can book several properties together.

Book a landlord gas safety check or read more on our landlords page.