A landlord gas safety certificate, properly called a Landlord Gas Safety Record and still widely known as a CP12, is the annual check that every landlord in England, Wales and Scotland must have carried out on every gas appliance and flue in a let property, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It must be renewed every 12 months, a copy given to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before they move in, and records kept for two years. Missing it is a criminal offence, invalidates most landlord insurance and, in England, blocks a section 21 notice.
This guide explains what the check covers, who can do it, how it differs from a boiler service, the timing rules and the practical way most landlords handle it.
What the gas safety check covers
The engineer inspects every gas appliance the landlord supplies, including the boiler, hob, cooker, gas fire and water heater, along with the pipework and flues. For each appliance they check:
- the gas pressure and burner operation
- the flue is safe, effective and correctly terminated
- ventilation is adequate
- safety devices work
- the appliance is stable and correctly connected
They also test the pipework for leaks and check the emergency control valve is accessible. The result for each appliance is recorded as pass, at risk, immediately dangerous or not to current standards. Anything unsafe is dealt with on the spot, and an immediately dangerous appliance is disconnected with the tenant’s agreement.
Who can issue it
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer with the right categories on their card. Check the registration number on the Gas Safe Register website before booking. The record itself can be paper or digital, and it must carry the engineer’s registration number, the address, the appliances checked, the results and the dates.
Gas safety check versus boiler service
They are different jobs. The gas safety check is a safety inspection of every appliance and is a legal duty. A boiler service is maintenance of one appliance, with the casing off, components cleaned and combustion tested, and is a condition of the boiler’s warranty. Most landlords have both done in the same visit, which saves a call-out. Our guide to how long a boiler service takes explains what the service involves.
Timing rules
- The check must be done every 12 months.
- It can be done up to two months before the expiry date without losing time; the new record keeps the original anniversary.
- New tenants must receive a copy before they move in. Existing tenants within 28 days of the check.
- Records must be kept for two years.
- A copy should be displayed in properties with shared gas appliances, such as HMOs.
What happens if you miss it
The Health and Safety Executive prosecutes landlords who fail to obtain a gas safety record, and fines can be substantial, with imprisonment possible where a tenant is harmed. Landlord insurance policies almost always require a current record. In England, a landlord who did not give the tenant a gas safety record before they moved in cannot serve a valid section 21 notice, which has caught out many landlords trying to regain possession. Our guide to OFTEC registered engineers covers the equivalent duty of care for oil-heated lets, where there is no legal certificate but the same safety expectations apply.
What the tenant should do
Tenants must allow access for the check, and landlords should give reasonable notice and keep a record of attempts if a tenant refuses. Tenants should not carry out gas work themselves and should report smells, soot or a yellow flame at once.
Oil-heated lets
There is no CP12 equivalent for oil, but landlords still have a duty to keep the heating safe. An annual service by an OFTEC registered engineer, with a written record, is the accepted way to show it. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in any room with a fixed combustion appliance in England, whichever fuel it burns.
How DCI Boilers can help
DCI Boilers carries out landlord gas safety checks across Cornwall and Devon, combined with a full boiler servicing visit in the same appointment, with Gas Safe registered engineers, a fixed price and the record sent to you the same day. For oil-heated lets, our OFTEC registered engineers provide an annual service with a written record. Any faults found are quoted at a fixed price for boiler repairs.
Need help now? Call DCI Boilers on 07888 862 603 or get a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CP12 the same as a gas safety certificate?
Yes. CP12 is the old form name. The correct term is Landlord Gas Safety Record, and any Gas Safe engineer can issue one.
How often does a landlord gas safety check need doing?
Every 12 months, and it can be done up to two months early without losing the anniversary date.
Does a gas safety check include a boiler service?
No. They are separate, but most engineers will do both in one visit if you ask.
Do I need a gas safety certificate if the property has only oil heating?
No, the legal certificate applies to gas only. An annual OFTEC service with a written record is the accepted equivalent for oil.