What is a gas safety certificate?

Under The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, owners of residential rented properties must arrange a gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer for all pipework, appliances and flues in each of the properties which the landlord owns and provides for tenants to use.

These properties could include the following:

• Homes rented by local authorities, housing associations, private sector landlords, housing co-operatives, hostels.
• Rooms let in bed-sit accommodation, private households, bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels.
• Rented holiday accommodation such as chalets, cottages, flats, caravans and narrow boats.
  
  

Following the gas safety check, a Landlord Gas Safety Record (gas safety certificate), also known as CP12, will be issued to the landlord, which details the checks carried out by the engineer and if the appliances checked meet the appropriate safety standards.

The landlord must keep a record of the safety check for two years, give a copy to each tenant within 28 days of the check being completed and issue a copy to any new tenants before they move in.