Licence Checker England

Landlord guide

Gas safety certificates for landlords

If your rental property has any gas appliances, such as a boiler, hob, fire, or water heater, you are legally required to arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

The resulting document is usually called a CP12 or Landlord Gas Safety Record, and it is a routine part of landlord compliance across England.

At a glance

  • Gas appliances and flues must be checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  • Existing tenants must receive the record within 28 days of the check.
  • A valid gas safety record is commonly required for licensing compliance too.
  • If the property has no gas supply or appliances, a CP12 is usually not required.

What does the law require?

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:

  • Have all gas appliances, fittings, and flues checked every 12 months
  • Use a Gas Safe registered engineer - you can verify registration at gassaferegister.co.uk
  • Give a copy of the safety record to existing tenants within 28 days of the check
  • Give a copy to new tenants before they move in
  • Keep records for at least 2 years

What does the check cover?

The engineer will inspect and test:

  • Gas boilers and central heating systems
  • Gas fires and gas room heaters
  • Gas cookers, if provided by the landlord
  • Gas water heaters
  • Flues and ventilation for all gas appliances
  • Gas pipework and fittings

Tenant-owned appliances, such as a cooker they brought themselves, are not your responsibility, but the pipework and gas supply that feeds them still is.

What does it cost?

A standard gas safety check typically costs between £60 and £120, depending on the number of appliances and your location. Some engineers offer combined packages with boiler servicing.

Penalties for non-compliance

Failing to carry out annual gas safety checks can result in:

  • Criminal prosecution - a fine of up to £6,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months per offence
  • Civil liability - if a tenant is injured or killed due to a gas safety failure, the landlord can face more serious claims
  • Insurance implications - your landlord insurance may be invalidated
  • Licensing conditions - if your property requires a licence, a valid gas safety certificate is usually a licence condition

Timing and renewals

You can have the check done up to 2 months before the expiry date of the current certificate without losing any time. The new certificate will run from the expiry date of the old one, not from the date of the new check.

No gas appliances?

If the property has no gas supply and no gas appliances, you do not need a gas safety certificate. However, if there is a gas meter or capped-off gas supply, it is still sensible to have the setup checked or formally disconnected.

Related next reads

Use these guides to move from the current topic into the next licensing or due diligence question.

EPC requirements for landlords

Minimum energy efficiency standards, when you need an EPC, the current minimum rating, and upcoming changes landlords should prepare for.

Landlord compliance checklist

A plain-English checklist of the main legal requirements for private landlords in England, from safety certificates to deposit protection.

Next steps

Use the tools and supporting pages below to move from general guidance to a council-specific or property-specific starting point.

Check a postcode →

Start with a specific property and see which council area and local licensing data it matches.

Browse the council directory →

Compare council summaries if you already know the area you need to research.

Explore the licensing map →

Use the map as a discovery page when licensing varies by area or council.

EICR guide→

Open the most closely related guide for the next part of the licensing or compliance picture.

Full compliance checklist→

Read the supporting guide if you need a wider compliance or licensing view.

Need more than a guide?

If you want more than general guidance, use the product options below to move into a written review, deeper due diligence, or ongoing monitoring.

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  • Guide and council-page linking
  • Official verification paths where available
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Delivery: Concise report by email, usually within 2 working days

  • Human-reviewed summary
  • Likely licensing routes flagged
  • Official links included
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Licensing Due Diligence Report

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A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.

Best for: Best for buyers, investors, agents, landlords refinancing, and conveyancers handling material decisions.

Delivery: Analyst-reviewed report with stronger risk framing

  • Executive-summary style output
  • Risk and uncertainty framing
  • Route-by-route interpretation
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A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.

Best for: Best for landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates without building their own tracking process.

Delivery: Monthly monitoring and change alerts

  • Selected council or area monitoring
  • Scheme-change alerts
  • Saved watchlist concept ready for rollout
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These options are designed to save research time, improve clarity, and support decision-making. Final reliance should still be tied back to the relevant council and, where necessary, professional advice.

This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.