Landlord gas safety, explained

Why landlord gas safety checks matter

Landlord gas safety checks exist to protect tenants in properties with gas appliances. Gas leaks and poorly maintained appliances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and explosions — carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, and even small amounts can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. A registered Gas Safe engineer can identify hazards like a faulty gas cooker, a corroded boiler, or a blocked flue before they become dangerous.

All permanent and portable gas appliances and flues in the property require an annual gas safety check.

Health and Safety Executive

What a gas safety check involves

• Visual inspection — examining the condition of appliances and flues for damage, wear, or improper installation, including loose connections, rust, cracks, or heat exposure.
• Appliance testing — checking each appliance burns gas correctly and efficiently, including gas pressure, flue flow, and burner operation. Poor pressure or flow can mean incomplete combustion, which produces carbon monoxide.
• Safety checks — confirming safety devices are present and working, including carbon monoxide detectors and flame supervision devices that shut off the gas if the flame goes out.

What is a CP12 certificate?

Once a check passes, we issue a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, proving your gas appliances have been inspected and found safe. You must provide a copy to your tenants within 28 days of the inspection. The certificate details the inspection date, the engineer who carried it out, and the appliances checked.

How often do I need one?

By law, every gas appliance in your rental property needs a safety check every year. Even modern, well-maintained appliances can develop faults over time, so this isn’t a box you tick once.

What if my property is empty?

Gas safety checks still matter for an unoccupied property:

• Maintaining appliance safety — empty properties are prone to dust buildup and animal intrusion in flues and appliances.
• Peace of mind — a valid CP12 shows you’ve kept up safety standards even during vacancy.
• Legal compliance — regulations apply regardless of occupancy, and an up-to-date CP12 is mandatory before a new tenant moves in.

What appliances need checking?

Gas cookers and hobs, gas boilers, gas fires, and where fitted, gas water heaters and gas dryers. It’s worth noting that gas safety checks don’t cover LPG-powered cookers or hobs, since these aren’t connected to the mains gas supply — if you’re unsure whether an appliance in your property needs a check, ask us.

Failure to comply with gas safety regulations can mean hefty fines, or worse. We carry out CP12 inspections and can provide a digital copy of the certificate for your records — get in touch to book yours.