As a landlord, ensuring the gas safety of your rental properties isn't just good practice, it's the law. The CP12 certificate, officially known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is your proof of compliance. Here's everything you need to know.

What Is a CP12 Certificate?

A CP12 (now officially called a Landlord Gas Safety Record or LGSR) is a document that proves all gas appliances, fittings, and flues in a rental property have been checked and deemed safe by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The term "CP12" comes from the old CORGI form number, but it's still widely used today.

Legal Requirement

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must have a valid gas safety check carried out every 12 months. Failing to comply is a criminal offence, punishable by an unlimited fine and, in serious cases, prison.

What Gets Checked During a Gas Safety Inspection?

A Gas Safe registered engineer will inspect:

Gas boilers and water heaters
Gas fires and room heaters
Gas cookers and hobs
Pipework and gas meters
Flues and ventilation
Safety devices and controls

The engineer will check for gas leaks, test gas pressure, ensure proper ventilation, inspect the flame picture, and verify all safety devices are working correctly.

What Information Is on a CP12?

• Property address and landlord details
• Engineer's name and Gas Safe registration number
• Date of the check and date of next check due
• List of all gas appliances checked
• Location and type of each appliance
• Results of safety checks (pass/fail)
• Any defects found and actions taken
• Flue and ventilation assessment results

Landlord Responsibilities

Annual Checks

Gas safety checks must be carried out every 12 months. You can have checks done up to 2 months early without affecting your renewal date, this gives you flexibility in scheduling while maintaining continuous compliance.

Provide Copy to Tenants

You must give a copy of the gas safety record to:

Existing tenants within 28 days of the check
New tenants before they move in

Keep Records

You must keep copies of gas safety records for at least 2 years. Many landlords keep them longer for their own peace of mind.

What If an Appliance Fails?

If a gas appliance fails the safety check, the engineer will classify it as:

Immediately Dangerous (ID): The appliance must be disconnected immediately
At Risk (AR): The appliance is not immediately dangerous but could become so. It should be repaired as soon as possible
Not to Current Standards (NCS): The appliance is safe but doesn't meet current installation standards

As a landlord, you're responsible for arranging repairs promptly. The property cannot be legally let with a failed gas safety check.

Tips for Landlords

Set calendar reminders for renewal dates
Use the same engineer each year for consistency
Keep digital and physical copies of all records
Include gas safety clauses in tenancy agreements
Ensure tenants provide access for inspections
Consider combining the check with an annual boiler service

Understanding Your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)