Getting an annual gas safety certificate and servicing your appliances might not be the most glamorous part of being a landlord, but it’s one of the most important. After all, you want your property – and your tenants – to be safe, not a potential hazard.
Gas safety regulations apply to privately rented properties all around the UK, so there’s no wriggling out of them, no matter where your flat or house happens to be.
Below, you’ll find a practical guide to gas safety checks, including how long they take, how long your certificate lasts, and where to find a reputable one without paying over the odds.
- Gas safety for landlords: checks, certificates, cost and more
- Getting your gas safety certificate through OpenRent
- What happens if my property fails a gas safety check?
Avoid stress, penalties, and last-minute panic. Get a Gas Safe engineer to update your gas safety certificate. Book Now
Gas safety for landlords: checks, certificates, cost and more
Here you’ll find clear answers to the questions landlords most often have about gas safety. From arranging inspections and understanding how long checks take, to knowing what a gas safety certificate covers and how much it costs.
Do I need a gas safety check?
If you’re a UK landlord with gas appliances – boilers, central heating, flues – then yes, an annual check by a Gas Safe registered engineer is required.
Your legal responsibilities cover any gas appliances you provide for your tenants. If the tenants supply their own appliances, you’re not responsible for the appliance itself, but you are responsible for any installation work, pipework, or connections you’ve provided.
If your property has no gas supply at all, a gas safety check isn’t needed.
How long does a gas safety certificate last?
A gas safety certificate (CP12 form) is valid for one year from the date it’s issued, so it’s important to make sure it’s renewed before it expires.
Since April 2018, regulations have allowed a bit of flexibility: if a landlord arranges the next check 10-12 months after the previous one, the original expiry date is preserved.
For example, if a check was done on 1st March 2024 and the next one takes place on 20th February 2025, the 2026 check should still be completed by 1st March.
The rules are designed to reward landlords who stay on top of their checks, so it’s worth making the most of this allowance.
How long does a gas safety check take?
A typical gas safety check usually takes around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the property and the number of appliances being inspected. The Gas Safe engineer will examine all gas appliances, pipework, and flues to ensure they’re safe and working correctly.
Most checks can be completed in a single visit, and the engineer will fill in the certificate on the spot if everything is in order. It’s standard practice to give tenants at least 24 hours’ notice before the engineer attends.
How much is a gas safety certificate?
The cost of a gas safety certificate can vary depending on the size of your property, the number of appliances to be checked, and the engineer or company you use. A standard one-bedroom flat with a single boiler will usually be at the lower end of the scale, while larger properties with multiple appliances will cost more, as each appliance must be inspected individually.
For a simple and affordable option, OpenRent offers gas safety certificates starting from just £55, helping you meet your legal obligations quickly and without unnecessary expense.
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What about carbon monoxide and smoke alarms?
It’s not just gas appliances you need to think about as a landlord. Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are essential safety features in any rented property. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless gas that can be deadly if inhaled, so every room with a gas appliance should have a working detector. Smoke alarms, meanwhile, provide early warning of fires, giving tenants crucial time to escape.
Landlords are legally required to ensure that these alarms are installed and maintained. For a full guide on your responsibilities and best practices for installation and upkeep, read our detailed blog post.
Getting your gas safety certificate through OpenRent
We work with local, vetted Gas Safe engineers across the UK to offer a thorough and affordable gas safety service. When you order a gas safety check through OpenRent, you can arrange the appointment directly with the engineer at a time that suits you and your tenants.
You will receive an extensive inspection of the gas appliances that you own, and provide for the use of the tenants of your property, alongside all the accompanying systems, such as heating and boiler flue.
I’m a landlord, but I haven’t listed a property with you. Can I still use this service?
Yes, of course! All of our third-party services are available to every landlord, whether or not you’ve listed a property with OpenRent in the past.
How soon will I get the gas safety certificate after my appointment?
Your certificate will be uploaded to your dashboard within one to two working days following your appointment, and you’ll also receive a copy of the report via email.
Your gas safety certificate will include:
- A description and location of every appliance
- The name, registration number and signature of the engineer
- The date of the check was carried out
- The address of your property
- Information on any defects or faults and how to fix them
What do I need to do once I have my gas safety certificate?
Once you have your gas safety certificate, existing tenants should receive a copy within 28 days, and new tenants should get theirs at the start of the tenancy.
You also need to keep a copy for at least two years. With OpenRent, this is easy: we store your certificate safely in your account and provide it to you by email, while also serving a copy to tenants automatically at the start of their tenancy.
Is a digital gas safety certificate OK?
Yes. The law doesn’t distinguish between paper and digital copies – as long as the certificate (the CP12) is complete, tamper-proof, and provided to existing tenants within 28 days, you’re compliant. New tenants should receive their copy at the start of the tenancy, as outlined above.
Do I need to service my boiler, too?
It’s important to remember that a gas safety check is not the same as ongoing servicing and maintenance – the HSE regulations make that distinction clear. As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure all your appliances, including boilers, pipes, and flues, are working safely at all times.
While there’s no legal requirement to have your appliances serviced, we recommend having all gas appliances, particularly your boiler, serviced at least once a year. Many boiler warranties require annual servicing, and skipping it could invalidate your policy.
To make life easier, OpenRent offers the option to book a boiler service at the same time as your gas safety check.
What if there are issues getting access for safety checks?
Your tenancy agreement should clearly state that tenants must allow access for maintenance or safety checks, usually with at least 24 hours’ notice (this is already covered for Rent Now tenancies). Never attempt to force entry, as this could lead to legal trouble.
If a tenant still refuses access, make sure to keep a detailed record of every reasonable step you’ve taken. Write to them, explaining that the safety check is a legal requirement for their own safety, and document any repeated attempts to arrange entry.
Combine your boiler service with your gas safety inspection to keep appliances running smoothly for your tenants. Book Boiler Service
What happens if my property fails a gas safety check?
If your property doesn’t pass a gas safety check, the engineer will mark on the certificate which areas meet the required standards and which do not. They will also advise on any remedial work needed. In serious cases, the engineer may need to turn off the gas supply for safety reasons.
Landlords must complete any required remedial work within 28 days of the Gas Safe inspector’s report, or sooner if the engineer considers it urgent. Once the work is done, both the tenant and the local council should be informed. In emergencies, such as a broken boiler during winter, remedial work should be carried out as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours.
What is the penalty for not having a gas safety check or providing the certificate?
In the UK, landlords who fail to obtain and provide a valid gas safety certificate face significant penalties. This can include a fine of up to £6,000 and/or up to six months in prison for each offence.
Non-compliance is a criminal offence and may also invalidate insurance policies or prevent the use of the Section 21 eviction process. In the most serious cases, landlords can be held liable for tenant deaths and face manslaughter charges.
I had a CP12 check booked through OR once. ‘Engineer’ was late, rude and useless. He tried to do the very minimum of checks and leave within 10 minutes. Pay peanuts and get monkeys. Never again since.