What Is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate (formally called a Gas Safety Record or CP12) is a document produced by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an annual inspection of all gas appliances, pipework, and flues in a property. It confirms that the gas installation is safe and compliant. Landlords are legally required to have a valid gas safety certificate for all rented properties with gas appliances.

Legal Requirements for Landlords

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:

• Have all gas appliances, pipework, and flues checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer
• Obtain a gas safety certificate (CP12) following each inspection
• Provide a copy of the current certificate to tenants within 28 days of the inspection
• Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in
• Keep records of gas safety checks for at least two years
• Failure to comply can result in criminal prosecution and significant fines

What Buyers Will Expect to See

Buyers purchasing a tenanted property will expect to see a current gas safety certificate as part of the compliance documentation. The certificate must be dated within the last 12 months. An expired certificate — or no certificate at all — will raise concerns and may affect the buyer's confidence in the property's compliance history.

• A current gas safety certificate (dated within the last 12 months)
• Confirmation that any defects identified have been remediated
• Gas safety certificates for the last two years (buyers may ask for historical records)
• An expired certificate is a compliance issue that should be resolved before marketing

What to Do If Your Certificate Has Lapsed

If your gas safety certificate has expired, arrange a new inspection with a Gas Safe registered engineer before marketing begins. Do not market the property with an expired certificate — this is a compliance issue that will be identified during the conveyancing process and may delay or complicate the sale.

• Book a gas safety inspection with a Gas Safe registered engineer
• Check the Gas Safe Register at gassaferegister.co.uk to find a registered engineer
• The inspection typically takes 30–60 minutes per appliance
• Costs typically range from £60 to £120 depending on the number of appliances
• You will receive the certificate (CP12) on the day of the inspection
• Provide a copy to your tenant and keep a copy for your records

Properties Without Gas

If your property does not have any gas appliances or a gas supply, a gas safety certificate is not required. However, if the property has a gas meter but no appliances, it is worth confirming this in writing to avoid buyer queries.

What to Do Next

Check whether your gas safety certificate is current. If it has expired or is due to expire before your expected completion date, arrange a new inspection. Provide a copy of the current certificate to your solicitor for disclosure to the buyer.