What is a landlord gas safety certificate?

What is a landlord gas safety certificate?

In the UK, landlords must provide tenants with a landlord gas safety certificate when letting their property.

Being a landlord is about more than collecting rent, it’s caring for your tenant’s safety and wellbeing. This includes your responsibility to provide your tenants with a Gas Safety certificate.

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate

As a landlord in the UK, you’re required to provide tenants with a gas certificate for all gas appliances within your rental property. Don’t worry if being a landlord is new to you, our guide takes you through the process from start to finish.

What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?

A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate is a document which confirms the safety of gas installations. This document officially states that the gas appliances and flues within your property are safe to use. As a landlord, you need to provide a gas safety certificate for each individual gas appliance within your property.

Landlord Gas Safety Certificates are also known as a CP12 certificate.

Why are landlord gas safety certificates important?

For all gas appliance there are potential risks that it’s important to be aware of. Left unchecked, the following risks may occur:

Is a Gas Safety Certificate a legal requirement for landlords?

Yes. As a landlord you must adhere to the regulations set out in The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. These rules set out the legal safety requirements for gas appliances, fittings and flues installed within domestic properties. This includes the provision of annual gas safety certificates by landlords to ensure the safety of their property for tenants.

This legislation is regularly reviewed for changes, particularly when it comes to changes in technology. As a landlord, it’s a good idea for you to occasionally check this to make sure you don’t miss any important updates.

You can find more specific information around landlord responsibilities for gas safety in the dedicated section of the regulations here.

How often do landlords needs to provide a Gas Safety Certificate?

With new tenants you’re legally required to provide a Gas Safety Certificate prior to them moving into your property. For your existing tenants, the Gas Safety Certificate should be delivered no more than 28 days from the inspection.

Failure to provide these within the required timeframes may lead to your tenants making an official complaint to the HSE.

How often do landlords needs to renew gas safety certificates?

It’s a legal requirement that each certificate must be renewed annually to ensure the safety of your tenant(s). Additionally, it’s your responsibility as a landlord to make sure that each appliance and flue is safety checked within the 12 months following installation.

Landlord responsibilities

Are landlords responsible for gas safety checks?

Yes, when it comes to gas safety checks, you’re responsible for the following:

Ensuring the ongoing maintenance of gas safety checks through annual gas safety checks

Sourcing and arranging a gas safety registered engineer to conduct the gas inspection

Keeping accurate and up to date records detailing each gas safety inspection

Providing tenants with a copy of the gas safety certificate

Can I delegate my landlord responsibilities to tenants?

In a word, no. The legal responsibility lies with you, the landlord, when it comes to gas safety. It’s your responsibility to make the appropriate arrangements to have gas safety checks carried out with a qualified gas engineer. The cost of the inspection can’t be deferred to the tenant and must be paid by you. Additionally, all records covering the safety checks must be complied and stored by you.

Are there any exclusions to these responsibilities?

If your tenants choose to provide their own gas appliances, as opposed to being provided by you, you won’t be directly responsible for these. However, it’s your responsibility to ensure that they know how to access/stop the gas power in case of emergency.

Please note, although you’re not directly responsible for their own gas appliances it’s still your responsibility to ensure the maintenance and safety of any gas pipe work within the property.

What gas appliances are landlords responsible for?

You’re responsible for the maintenance and gas safety checks of any gas appliances that you provide within your rental property. These include:

Gas cooker

Gas boiler

Gas flues

Gas fire

Gas pipework

Does a gas safe registered engineer need to complete gas safety checks?

Yes. When it comes to performing a gas safety check, this must only be done by a gas safety registered engineer. It’s your responsibility as a landlord to make sure you hire someone who is gas safe qualified.

How do I find a gas safe registered engineer?

If you’re unsure where to look, it’s best to reach out to an established Gas Safety Certificate provider. Gas Safe Register is the only official gas registration body of gas business and engineers in the UK. All gas businesses must be on the Gas Safe Register, by law. The Gas Safety Register website allows you to search for a qualified engineer or check their credentials.

Do landlords need to keep records of gas safety checks?

When it comes to gas safety, your landlord responsibility doesn’t start and end with arranging the gas safety check. For each gas safety check carried out, you’re legally obligated to create a record. To help break down exactly what your records should include, HSE have provided a handy checklist:

• A clear description of the location and which appliance/flue was checked
• Details for the gas engineer performing the safety check. This must include their name, registration number and signature
• Date of inspection
• Property address for inspection
• Landlord’s details, including name and address
• Identification and description of any defects, and details of remedial action
• Confirmation that the gas inspection performed meets the requirements listed within The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Frequently asked questions