Landlords need a gas safety check carried out every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer, covering every gas appliance and flue in the property, with the results recorded on a Landlord Gas Safety Record, commonly called a CP12. That’s the short answer to how often you need a landlord gas safety certificate. If you’re renting out a property in Leigh, Warrington, Wigan or nearby, arranging your landlord gas safety check with a registered engineer keeps you on the right side of the law and keeps tenants safe.
What Counts as a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate, officially called a Landlord Gas Safety Record, confirms that every gas appliance, flue and fitting in a rented property has been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer and found safe to use. It covers boilers, gas fires, gas cookers and any other fixed gas appliance the landlord has supplied.
If a check uncovers a fault, the certificate will note it, and in some cases the engineer may need to isolate the appliance until it’s repaired.
How Often Does the Check Need to Happen?
By law, a gas safety check must be carried out at least once every 12 months, by an engineer who is Gas Safe registered for the specific type of appliance being checked. A boiler engineer isn’t automatically qualified to check every kind of gas appliance, so it’s worth confirming what the engineer is registered to work on.
You can bring checks forward by up to two months without losing the original renewal date, which makes it easier to book at a convenient time each year rather than right up against the deadline.
What Must Landlords Do With the Certificate?
Once the check is complete, landlords have to give existing tenants a copy of the record within 28 days, and new tenants must receive a copy before they move in. Keep records for at least two years, and it’s sensible to keep the previous certificate as well as the current one in case a query comes up.
Arranging the check and making sure the paperwork reaches tenants is a legal responsibility landlords can’t assume a letting agent will handle.
Do All Rented Properties Need a Gas Safety Certificate?
Any rented property with a gas appliance supplied by the landlord needs an annual check, regardless of property type. If a property has no gas supply or gas appliances, there’s nothing to certify, but most homes with a gas boiler, fire, or cooker will need one.
Gas Safety Checks for Landlords in Leigh, Warrington and Wigan
Older terraced and semi-detached properties, common across Leigh and Wigan, often have gas fires or older-style boilers alongside the main heating system, so it’s worth confirming the check includes every gas appliance in the property, not just the boiler. Newer rental stock in parts of Warrington tends to have fewer separate appliances, but the same annual requirement applies either way.
Common Questions About Landlord Gas Safety Certificates
What happens if a gas safety check finds a fault?
If an appliance is found unsafe, the engineer will usually make it safe or disconnect it until it can be repaired. Arrange any needed boiler repairs promptly, since the property isn’t compliant until the issue is fixed and re-checked.
Can I do my own gas safety check as a landlord?
No. An engineer must carry out the check and be Gas Safe registered for the appliances involved. Landlords can’t self-certify, and using an unregistered person to check or work on gas appliances is illegal.
Do I need a new certificate every time I get a new tenant?
Not necessarily a new check, but you must give new tenants a copy of the current valid certificate before they move in. You only need a new check once the existing one reaches its 12-month renewal.
What’s the difference between a landlord gas safety certificate and a boiler service?
A gas safety check confirms the appliances are safe to use and is legally required. A boiler service is a more thorough maintenance visit that can be combined with the safety check but isn’t the same thing on its own.
Does an older gas fire in a period property still need checking?
Yes. Any gas appliance the landlord has supplied, including an older gas fire in a period terrace, must be included in the annual check, regardless of age.
The Practical Next Step
Keeping on top of the annual check, the paperwork, and the 28-day deadline is straightforward once it’s part of your yearly routine. If you’d like help arranging or renewing a landlord gas safety certificate for a rental property in Leigh, Warrington, Wigan or nearby, get in touch with LGH, and we’ll sort a convenient time.