Landlord Gas Safety Certificates

A landlord gas safety certificate (CP12) is the legal minimum set out by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations: every gas appliance and flue in a rented property must be checked for safety once every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer, with a copy of the certificate given to tenants within 28 days.

It's worth being clear, though, that an annual safety check on its own isn't the same as proper maintenance. The regulations' own guidance is explicit that "neither should it be assumed that carrying out annual safety checks will be sufficient to provide effective maintenance." A safety check confirms an appliance isn't dangerous at that moment. It doesn't mean it's been serviced, or that it's running efficiently.

The service we offer

With that in mind, we'll normally recommend servicing a gas fire or boiler at the same time as issuing a landlord certificate, unless the appliance has recently been commissioned, or you can show us a recent service record. It costs a little more on that visit, but it means the appliance is both certified safe and properly maintained, and it reduces the chance of a tenant call-out over winter.

What we check

• Gas soundness of the installation pipework
• Correct operating pressure and burner settings
• Effectiveness of flues and ventilation
• Safety devices operate correctly, including flame failure and pilot mechanisms
• Signs of unsafe operation: irregular or yellow flames, staining or soot marks around an appliance

Why this matters

Faulty appliances, blocked flues and poor ventilation are how carbon monoxide poisoning happens. See our guide to carbon monoxide for the warning signs. As a landlord, that risk sits with you by law, and a certificate that's actually backed by proper maintenance is the best protection you can give your tenants.