Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (CP12): What Tenants and Landlords Need to Know

What is a CP12 Certificate?

A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, officially known as a CP12, is a legal document that proves a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer has checked the gas appliances and pipework in a rented property and found them to be safe. It is not a service or a repair job, but a specific safety inspection. The landlord must provide a copy of this certificate to their tenant within 28 days of the check being completed, and to a new tenant before they move in.

What the Engineer Checks During a CP12 Inspection

The engineer’s job is to ensure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use and not posing a risk. The check follows strict criteria and includes:

• Gas Appliances: Checking all provided appliances like boilers, cookers, and gas fires for safe operation, correct installation, and adequate ventilation.
• Flue and Chimneys: Ensuring combustion gases (like carbon monoxide) are being safely expelled to the outside air and that flue ways are not blocked.
• Gas Pressure and Flow: Verifying that gas is reaching appliances at the correct pressure.
• Safety Devices: Testing that critical safety features, such as a boiler’s flame failure device, are working correctly to shut off the gas if a fault occurs.
• Visual Pipework: Inspecting accessible gas pipework for signs of corrosion, damage, or poor installation.

The engineer will issue a ‘pass’ certificate if everything is safe. If any fault is found that is ‘immediately dangerous’ or ‘at risk’, they will turn the appliance off and explain the issue to the landlord, who must arrange a repair before a certificate can be issued.

Landlord Responsibilities and Legal Duties

The law, under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, places clear duties on landlords. They must:

• Ensure an annual gas safety check is carried out on every gas appliance and flue they provide.
• Use a Gas Safe registered engineer for all gas work, including this check.
• Keep a record of each safety check for at least two years.
• Provide a copy of the current certificate to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before they occupy the property.

This duty applies to all types of tenancy agreements, including houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Failure to comply is a criminal offence and can lead to substantial fines or even imprisonment. Crucially, it also invalidates the landlord’s property insurance in the event of a gas-related incident.

What Tenants Should Know and Do

As a tenant, you have a right to live in a property with safe gas appliances. You should receive a copy of the current CP12 certificate. If you don’t, ask your landlord or letting agent for it. You are also responsible for the safety of any gas appliances you own, but the landlord remains responsible for the pipework and any appliances they supplied.

You must allow the landlord or their engineer access to carry out the annual check, provided they give you reasonable notice (usually at least 24 hours). If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide (symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness), you must act immediately: turn off the gas at the meter, open windows, leave the property, and call the National Gas Emergency line.

What Happens If There’s No Certificate?

If a landlord fails to provide a valid CP12, they are breaking the law. As a tenant, you should first request the certificate in writing. If it is not provided, you can report the landlord to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is the enforcing authority. The HSE can take legal action. Furthermore, without a valid certificate, a landlord cannot legally evict a tenant using a Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notice. For landlords, operating without a certificate risks prosecution and leaves them fully liable for any injury, carbon monoxide poisoning, or explosion caused by unsafe gas appliances.