Landlord gas safety certificates (CP12): your legal duties, explained
A landlord gas safety certificate (CP12) is a legal requirement. Here is what it covers, when to renew it, and what happens if you do not comply.
If you let a property with gas appliances, a valid gas safety certificate is not optional — it is a legal requirement. The record, often called a CP12, must be renewed every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
For landlords and letting agents managing properties in London, staying on top of this protects tenants, keeps you compliant, and avoids serious penalties.
What the law requires
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:
- Ensure gas appliances, fittings, flues and pipework are safe.
- Arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Keep a record of the check for two years.
- Give a copy of the record to existing tenants within 28 days of the check, and to new tenants before they move in.
The certificate covers gas appliances such as boilers, gas fires, cookers, and the pipework that supplies them.
Who can carry out the check
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can issue a gas safety record. Do not use anyone who is not registered, even if they are cheaper. Using an unqualified person can put lives at risk and leave you non-compliant.
You can check an engineer’s registration on the Gas Safe Register.
What happens if you do not comply
Failing to carry out an annual gas safety check is a criminal offence. You could face fines and, in serious cases, prosecution. More importantly, a faulty gas appliance can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which is why the checks exist in the first place.
If a gas issue is found, it must be fixed safely before the property is occupied or the appliance used.
Getting it done
Our property surveys & safety service and our heating service cover gas safety checks for landlords and businesses across London. If you manage several properties, our guide to managing maintenance across multiple properties can help you keep the paperwork and visits on schedule.
For authoritative detail, the HSE gas safety for landlords pages explain the rules, and the Gas Safe Register lets you verify any engineer.
