To get a gas safety certificate, you need to book a gas safety check with a Gas Safe registered engineer. The engineer checks the relevant gas appliances and flues, records the findings, and issues a written gas safety record after the inspection.
For landlords, this document is commonly called a Gas Safety Certificate, CP12 Certificate, Gas Safe Certificate or Landlord Gas Safety Record. The official legal document for rented properties is usually the Landlord Gas Safety Record.
A gas safety certificate is important for landlords, letting agents, homeowners, commercial property owners and businesses because unsafe gas appliances can create serious risks, including gas leaks, fire, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Last Updated: 2026
Reviewed By: London safety Certificate Compliance Team
Key Takeaways
- Contact a certified engineer on the Gas Safe Register to schedule an inspection.
- Prepare your property by ensuring clear access to all gas appliances.
- Undergo a thorough inspection, which typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.
- Receive and verify the gas safety certificate within 1-2 business days post-inspection.
- Renew the certificate annually by booking a new inspection before the current one expires.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: How Do I Get a Gas Safety Certificate?
You can get a gas safety certificate by arranging a gas safety inspection with a Gas Safe registered engineer.
The basic process is:
- Book a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Check that the engineer is qualified for the appliance type.
- Arrange access to the property.
- Let the engineer inspect the gas appliances and flues.
- Receive the gas safety record after the check.
- Give tenants a copy where required.
- Keep the record safely.
- Renew the certificate before it expires.
For landlords, the gas safety check must normally be completed every 12 months for relevant gas appliances and flues provided for tenants.
Who Can Issue a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate or gas safety record must be issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer after the correct checks have been completed.
Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses and engineers. Gas Safe Register says all gas businesses and their engineers must be on the register to carry out gas work legally.
Before booking, check that the engineer is qualified for the work needed. For example:
| Property / Appliance Type | Engineer Must Be Qualified For |
|---|---|
| Domestic boiler | Domestic gas work |
| Gas cooker or hob | Relevant domestic appliance category |
| LPG appliance | LPG work where applicable |
| Commercial boiler | Commercial gas work |
| Commercial kitchen | Commercial catering gas work |
| Gas installation work | The correct installation category |
A domestic gas engineer is not automatically qualified for commercial gas work.
What Is Checked Before a Gas Safety Certificate Is Issued?
The engineer may check:
- gas appliances
- flues
- ventilation
- gas tightness
- burner operation
- visible pipework condition
- appliance location
- operating pressure
- whether the appliance is safe to use
- signs of unsafe combustion
The exact checks depend on the appliance, property type and type of gas work required.
Gas Safety Certificate vs Landlord Gas Safety Record
Although the term Gas Safety Certificate is widely used, the correct document for rental properties is normally referred to as the Landlord Gas Safety Record. This record is issued after a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer has inspected the gas appliances, pipework, flues, and related safety controls within the property.
A CP12 Certificate is another commonly used name for the same type of landlord gas safety documentation, although the formal wording is now usually Landlord Gas Safety Record.
It is important to understand that a Landlord Gas Safety Record is different from a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. A landlord gas safety record confirms that existing gas appliances and installations have been checked for safety at the time of inspection, while a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate usually relates to new gas installation work that has been officially notified.
For landlords, the main requirement is to arrange a gas safety check every 12 months and keep a valid Landlord Gas Safety Record for the property.
How to Check a Gas Safety Certificate
To check a gas safety certificate or gas safety record, review the details carefully.
A proper record should normally include:
- property address
- landlord or agent details
- date of the gas safety check
- engineer name
- engineer Gas Safe registration number
- appliance or flue details
- location of appliances checked
- safety defects found
- remedial action taken
- confirmation of checks completed
- engineer signature or electronic identification
HSE confirms the minimum information that must be recorded for a gas safety check, including appliance/flue details, engineer details, check date, property address, landlord/agent details, defects and remedial actions.
Can I Get a Copy of My Gas Safety Certificate?
Yes, but it depends on what type of certificate or record you mean.
If you need a copy of a Landlord Gas Safety Record, the first places to ask are:
- landlord
- letting agent
- property manager
- gas engineer who carried out the check
- company that booked the gas safety inspection
If you are a tenant, your landlord must give you a copy of the gas safety check record before you move in or within 28 days of the check.
If you need a duplicate Building Regulations Certificate for notified gas installation work, Gas Safe Register provides an online replacement certificate service where details are held on their system.
Are Gas Safety Certificates Registered Online?
This depends on the certificate type.
A Building Regulations Compliance Certificate may be available through Gas Safe Register if the gas installation work was notified correctly.
A Landlord Gas Safety Record is different. It is the record issued after the gas safety check. Landlords must keep records and provide copies to tenants, but you should not assume every landlord gas safety record can simply be downloaded online from Gas Safe Register.
For lost landlord gas safety records, contact the landlord, letting agent or engineer/company that issued the original record.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate can often be issued after the gas safety check is completed, depending on the engineer, company process and whether any defects are found.
Do not promise a fixed universal timeframe like “always within 1–2 business days.” That can be inaccurate.
The timing can depend on:
- engineer availability
- property access
- number of appliances
- domestic or commercial work
- whether defects are found
- whether remedial work is needed
- whether the certificate is issued digitally or manually
For urgent landlord compliance, book early before the current record expires.
How Long Is a Gas Safety Certificate Valid For?
For landlords, a gas safety check is normally required every 12 months.
Landlords should arrange renewal before the current record expires. HSE says landlords must keep records for at least 2 years, and if using the two-month renewal flexibility, records may need to be kept until two further checks have been carried out.
How to Get a Gas Safety Certificate for a Rental Property
For a rented property, the landlord or agent should:
- book a Gas Safe registered engineer
- arrange tenant access
- make sure all landlord-provided gas appliances and flues are checked
- receive the gas safety record
- give existing tenants a copy within 28 days
- give new tenants a copy before they move in
- keep the record safely
- complete remedial works if defects are found
- renew the check every 12 months
A landlord should not wait until the final day before expiry because access problems or appliance defects can cause delays.
How to Get a Gas Safety Certificate for a Homeowner
Homeowners do not usually need a landlord gas safety certificate for their own home unless they are renting it out.
However, a homeowner may still arrange a gas safety check for:
- checking appliances before renting the property later
- peace of mind
- property sale preparation
- older boilers
- suspected appliance issues
- gas smell concerns
- carbon monoxide safety concerns
What Happens If the Property Fails the Gas Safety Check?
If an issue is identified during the gas safety inspection, the engineer will record the defect on the Landlord Gas Safety Record and confirm what action has been taken or what further work is required.
Depending on the condition of the appliance or installation, the outcome may include confirmation that the appliance is safe to use, a defect being noted, remedial work being required, or the appliance being classified as unsafe. In more serious cases, the engineer may disconnect or cap off the appliance to prevent further use until the problem has been resolved.
Any unsafe gas appliance must not be used until it has been repaired, rechecked, and confirmed as safe by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.
What Happens If You Do Not Get a Gas Safety Certificate?
For landlords, failing to arrange the required annual gas safety check and provide a valid Landlord Gas Safety Record can lead to serious safety, legal, and compliance issues.
Key risks include:
- Commercial Compliance Risk: For businesses and commercial premises, missed gas safety checks can create workplace safety and compliance issues, especially where employees, customers, or tenants may be affected.
- Legal Enforcement Action: The landlord may face action from the relevant enforcing authority for failing to meet gas safety duties.
- Prosecution and Fines: Serious or repeated non-compliance can result in prosecution and financial penalties.
- Tenant Complaints: Tenants may raise complaints if they are not provided with a valid gas safety record or believe the property is unsafe.
- Insurance Problems: Some insurance policies may be affected if the landlord cannot show that gas safety checks were completed properly.
- Possession and Tenancy Issues: Missing gas safety documentation can create complications in certain tenancy or possession matters.
- Risk of Gas Leaks: Unchecked appliances, pipework, or fittings may increase the risk of gas leaks.
- Carbon Monoxide Risk: Poorly maintained or faulty gas appliances can create a serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Fire or Explosion Risk: Gas faults can increase the risk of fire, explosion, or serious injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a gas safety certificate?
Book a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out a gas safety check. After the inspection, the engineer issues a gas safety record showing what was checked and whether any defects were found.
Who can issue a gas safety certificate?
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can issue a valid gas safety record after completing the appropriate checks.
Can I get a gas safety certificate online?
You can book the inspection online, but the certificate itself must follow a proper gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It should not be issued without the required inspection.
Can I get a copy of my gas safety certificate?
For a landlord gas safety record, contact the landlord, agent or engineer/company that issued it. For a duplicate Building Regulations Certificate, Gas Safe Register may provide a replacement if the details are on their system.
Can I find my gas safety certificate online?
You may be able to find a Building Regulations Certificate online through Gas Safe Register if the installation was notified. A landlord gas safety record is normally obtained from the landlord, agent or engineer who issued it.
How long does a gas safety certificate last?
A landlord gas safety certificate normally lasts 12 months.
How quickly can I get a gas safety certificate?
This depends on engineer availability, property access, appliance count and whether defects are found. In many cases, the record can be issued after the check, but timing should be confirmed when booking.
Is a gas safety certificate the same as a Gas Safe Register certificate?
Not always. A landlord gas safety record is issued after a gas safety check. A Building Regulations Certificate relates to notified gas installation work. These are different documents.
What happens if the gas safety check fails?
The engineer records the defect and explains what action is needed. Unsafe appliances should not be used until repaired and made safe.
Do electric-only properties need a gas safety certificate?
If there are no gas appliances, flues or gas installations requiring checks, a gas safety certificate may not be needed. Electric-only properties may still need other electrical safety checks.