Guides · Last checked 24 Oct 2026 · England

Gas safety certificate (CP12) for landlords: how often, who can issue it, what to keep

Every rental property with a gas supply needs a gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. The record (often called a CP12) must be given to existing tenants within 28 days of the check, to new tenants before they move in, and kept for two years. Penalties for non-compliance are unlimited fines and up to six months in prison.

What has to be checked

Every gas appliance and flue you provide (boiler, hob, fire, water heater) and the pipework. Appliances the tenant owns are excluded, but the pipework serving them is not. The engineer must be on the Gas Safe Register; ask to see the ID card, and check the number at gassaferegister.co.uk.

How often

Every 12 months. You can have the check done up to two months before the current record expires and keep the original expiry date, the same way an MOT works. That gives you a window to book an engineer without shortening the year. If you have the check done earlier than two months before expiry, the new 12 months runs from the new check date.

Who gets a copy

• Existing tenants: within 28 days of the check.
• New tenants: before they move in.
• The PRS landlord register: a copy and the issue date, updated within 28 days of each new check.
• Your own file: keep each record for at least two years.

Tenant won't let the engineer in

You must show you took all reasonable steps: at least three written attempts to arrange access, explaining that the check is a legal requirement, and keeping copies. Then keep trying. The duty does not go away, but a documented effort is your defence.

Penalties

Breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive: an unlimited fine and up to six months' imprisonment in the magistrates' court, more in the Crown Court. A missing or expired record also used to block a Section 21 notice; now it is simply a breach that sits on your register entry.

Certkept works the next due date out from the check date, emails you 60, 30 and 7 days before, and keeps the PDF with the property so it's ready for the tenant and the register.