Landlord Gas Safety Certificates - What You Need to Know
If you're a landlord then it's your obligation to give your tenants a gas safety certificate. This should be done every year and before any new tenants move into the property.
Only engineers who have been registered with Gas Safe can perform a CP12 inspection. You can verify the credentials of engineers by checking their Gas Safe ID cards.
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Landlord gas safety certificates, or CP12 certificates, confirm that a landlord's gas appliances and flues have been checked by an engineer registered with the company and are safe to use. These certificates are a legal requirement for anyone renting a property and must be renewed every year to comply with UK laws.
During the inspection, a Gas Safe engineer will inspect all gas appliances, pipework and flues, looking for leaks or unsafe operation. The engineer will also test for carbon monoxide and make sure that there is adequate ventilation. The typical home inspection lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.
In the event of a problem the engineer will notify you of the issue and suggest any needed repairs to ensure the safety of your tenants. If you don't make the necessary repairs then you will not be able to obtain the landlord's gas safety certification.
A landlord gas safety certificate is an essential element of making sure your tenants' safety and health. Without one, you could be facing massive fines and your tenants could be put at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and other gas-related problems. It is important to note that the cost of a CP12 certificate can vary among different providers It's recommended to obtain multiple estimates for your property prior to making the decision.
No1PHD is your trusted service provider in Newport Pagnell. We have a national network of gas engineers, which means that we can send an engineer to your home quickly and efficiently, even if you require an immediate service. This is in stark contrast with sole-operator gas engineers who are often busy and not able to respond to urgent requests.
Landlords are also required to display their gas safety records, which they should give to tenants after their annual gas safety checks. This document will include the list of all gas appliances and flues that have been inspected along with the date on which it was completed.
Why do
mkgassafety.co.uk require a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
As a landlord, it is your duty to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your property are safe for use. This includes making sure that they undergo regular inspections and that you have an appropriate gas safety certificate. Failure to adhere could result in large fines or criminal legal proceedings.
It is recommended to have your landlord gas safety inspection conducted by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. This will ensure that your gas appliance and flues function properly, are free of defects and safe for your tenants to use.
After the annual check after the annual service, you must give a valid landlord gas safety certification to your tenants and display it in the property. It must be handed out to current tenants within 28 days after the inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
If you are a landlord with multiple properties, you must check them all and display the Gas Safety Certificate for each one. This will enable you to keep track of and renew each certificate prior to when it expires.
Landlords are also responsible for any sublet property they may own. The original landlord is responsible for certain responsibilities that cannot be transferred to a tenant who is renting out the property. However, they must ensure that responsibilities are clearly defined in the contract.
A CP12 gas safety certificate for landlords is proof that your gas appliances and flues have been tested and work correctly. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can conduct these tests. Therefore, make sure that the person you choose to hire is a registered Gas Safe ID card.
If your tenants do not allow access for the gas safety inspections, you can write a strongly worded letter explaining why it's important and what the consequences could be in the event that they continue to restrict access. You could also ask the court for a warrant to access.
It is also important to note that it is against the law for a tenant or landlord to forcibly enter their home. This is outlined in section 39 of Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations, 1998.
How do I get an Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (LGC)?
Gas Safe engineers will inspect the gas appliances and pipework in your home to get a landlord's gas safety certificate. The engineer will issue an CP12 certification that demonstrates the safety of your property's pipes and gas appliances. This is legally required for all landlords regardless of whether you own one property or a portfolio of rental properties.

Landlords must also make sure that their tenants are aware of the importance of regular maintenance and annual inspections of all gas appliances and pipework. This is particularly important for older or poorly maintained appliances that are more prone to malfunction or break down. If you're not sure the frequency of servicing your appliances, refer to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer to determine what is recommended.
You should also ensure that you conduct a gas safety check if your property is empty for a long period of time, since it could provide an possibility for vandalism or other criminal activity. After the inspection is completed you will be issued with a new Gas Safety Record that will detail all the results. The record can be distributed to your tenants to ensure that the home is safe to live in.
Your engineers will ask permission to cut off your gas supply if they discover any problems with your appliances. This is an important step to avoid any potential hazards to your tenants. It is crucial to adhere to the recommendations of your engineer as soon as you can, to ensure that you don't put anyone at risk.
Occasionally, it can be difficult to gain access to a property in order to carry out a gas safety check. In such cases you'll need to prove you've taken all "reasonable steps" to comply with your legal obligations, which includes sending letters to tenants and explaining that gas inspections are required for their security. You can ask the engineer to return at a later time or in extreme cases, you may have to seek legal advice.
Can I obtain a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate if I have multiple properties?
As a landlord, you are required to test your flues and gas appliances every year. This will ensure that your tenants are living in a safe environment and that the appliances are working safely. Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days after the date of the check and place it in a prominent place in the property.
The law that governs gas safety for landlords is revised frequently to reflect the most recent technologies and how we use our homes. The most recent amendments to Gas Safety Regulations, for instance, provide landlords with the option of renewing their certificates up to two months before the expiration date without losing any validity. This change helps reduce the risk of over compliance and improves maintenance planning.
Only an accredited Gas Safe Register engineer can issue the landlord with a gas safety certificate. Finding a reliable engineer to examine your home and all its gas appliances is crucial. After the inspection is completed they will provide you with an Gas Safety Certificate or CP12 which demonstrates that your home conforms to the applicable regulations.
It is worth persuading your tenant to allow you to access their home to conduct the annual gas safety checks. You can send an email to your tenant stating the importance of these checks as well as what is involved. If they refuse, you can consider serving them with a Section 21 notice or applying to the courts for an injunction.
It is important to renew your landlord's gas safety certificate prior to when the expiration date of your current certificate. Failure to do so could result in heavy fines, and your equipment could be unsafe for tenants to use.
It is crucial to schedule your gas safety inspection in advance if you own multiple properties. This will help you avoid the hassle of having tenants chase you for access, and will ensure that all of your properties have a valid Gas Safety Certificate.