If you let a property with gas appliances, the law requires an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer — the record of that check is the CP12, or Landlord Gas Safety Certificate. Here is what it covers, your legal duties, and what happens if you do not have one.
What is a CP12 / Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the official record of the annual gas safety check the law requires landlords to have carried out on the gas appliances, fittings and flues they provide. It is completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and lists what was checked and whether it passed.
Your legal duties as a landlord
- Annual check. Gas appliances and flues you provide must be checked every 12 months.
- Give tenants a copy. Existing tenants must receive a copy within 28 days of the check; new tenants must get it before they move in.
- Keep records. You must keep copies for at least two years.
- Use a registered engineer. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can carry out the check and issue the certificate.
What gets checked?
We inspect each gas appliance you provide — boiler, cooker, fire — checking it is burning correctly, at the right pressure, with adequate ventilation and a safe flue, and testing for leaks. Anything unsafe is recorded and you are told straight away.
What happens if you don’t have one?
Letting without a valid certificate breaches the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. It can lead to fines and prosecution, may invalidate your insurance, and — importantly — a valid gas safety record is also needed to rely on a Section 21 eviction notice. Above all, it leaves your tenants at risk.
How to stay compliant without the hassle
You can have the check done up to two months before the current certificate expires without losing the original anniversary date — so you never have to risk it lapsing. We set up renewal reminders for landlords and letting agents across East London, and can carry out a boiler service at the same visit. See our landlord gas safety certificate page or call 07724 566154.
Frequently asked questions
How often do I need a CP12?
Every 12 months for the gas appliances and flues you provide as a landlord.
Do I need one as a homeowner?
No — it is a legal duty for landlords. Homeowners are not required to have an annual check, though it is strongly recommended for safety.
Can I renew before it expires without losing time?
Yes. Renewing within two months of expiry keeps the original anniversary date, so you do not lose any of the remaining cover.
About the author: J. Ahmed is the founder of Gas First Ltd and a Gas Safe registered engineer (587401), working across East London since 2016.