How often does a landlord need a gas safety certificate?

Every gas appliance, flue and pipework in a rented home must be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer at least every 12 months. The certificate (often called a CP12) is valid for one year.

Do I have to give my tenant a copy of the gas safety certificate?

Yes. Existing tenants must get a copy within 28 days of the check, and any new tenant must get a copy before they move in.

What is the penalty for not having a gas safety certificate?

Failing to arrange the annual check is a criminal offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and can lead to an unlimited fine and, in serious cases, prosecution. It can also invalidate your landlord insurance.

How long must I keep gas safety records?

You must keep a copy of each gas safety record until two further checks have been carried out — in practice, at least two years.

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Gas safety certificate for landlords (CP12): the 2026 rules

If you rent out a home with any gas appliance, the law says it must be checked every year. Here is exactly what you need, when, and what happens if you miss it — in plain English.

Written for UK landlords · Last updated August 2026 · 5 min read

The quick answer: A Gas Safe registered engineer must check every gas appliance, flue and pipe in your rental at least every 12 months. You give the record (the CP12) to existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenant before they move in. Keep each record for at least two years. Missing the check is a criminal offence with an unlimited fine.

What is a gas safety certificate?

A gas safety certificate — its official name is a Landlord Gas Safety Record, and most people call it a CP12 — is the document a qualified engineer gives you after checking the gas in a property. It confirms the boiler, cooker, fire, flues and pipework are safe to use. Only an engineer on the Gas Safe Register is allowed to do the check and issue the record.

How often do you need one?

Once every 12 months, on every gas appliance and flue in the property. You can have the check done up to two months before the current one runs out without losing those two months — the new certificate's expiry still runs from the old deadline, so your annual date never drifts later. If there is no gas at the property at all, you do not need a certificate.

Who gets a copy, and when?

This is where landlords most often trip up, so it is worth being precise:

Existing tenants must receive a copy of the new record within 28 days of the check being done.
New tenants must be given a copy before they move in.
You must keep a copy yourself until two further annual checks have been carried out (so, at least two years of records on file).

🔔 How ProPixa handles this for you

The hard part isn't the check — it's remembering the date a year from now. ProPixa stores each property's gas safety certificate, reads the expiry, and warns you months before it runs out, while there's still time to book someone. Your tenant can see the valid certificate in their own app, so the 28-day copy rule takes care of itself.

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What does it cost?

A gas safety check for a typical home with a boiler and a couple of appliances usually costs somewhere around £60–£90, depending on where you are and how many appliances you have. It is a business expense you can set against your rental income for tax.

The penalties for getting it wrong

This is a criminal matter, not paperwork. Failing to arrange the annual gas safety check is an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It carries an unlimited fine in the magistrates' court, and in serious cases — especially where a tenant is harmed — landlords can face prosecution. A missing or out-of-date certificate can also void your landlord insurance, leaving you exposed if anything goes wrong.

There's a second, quieter consequence. Since Section 21 "no-fault" evictions were abolished in England in 2026, possession now runs through the grounds-based process — and a landlord who hasn't met safety duties like the gas certificate is in a far weaker position if a dispute or possession claim ever arises. Staying compliant protects you, not just your tenant.

Your gas safety checklist

Book a Gas Safe registered engineer — check their ID card shows the appliances they're qualified for.
Have every gas appliance, flue and pipe checked, once a year.
Give existing tenants the record within 28 days; give new tenants theirs before move-in.
Keep every record for at least two years.
Set a reminder for next year's date — or let ProPixa watch it for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is a gas safety certificate the same as a boiler service?

No. A gas safety check confirms appliances are safe; a boiler service is about keeping your boiler running well and is not a legal requirement. Many landlords sensibly do both at once, but they are separate things.

Can I do the check myself?

No. Only an engineer on the Gas Safe Register can legally carry out the check and issue the record, no matter how experienced you are.

What if my tenant won't let the engineer in?

You must show you made repeated reasonable attempts — put requests in writing and keep a record. Courts recognise that a landlord who genuinely tried has met their duty, so document everything.

Does a property with only electric heating need one?

No. If there is no gas supply or gas appliance in the property, a gas safety certificate isn't required. You'll still need an electrical safety check (an EICR) though.

Never miss a compliance deadline again

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