Landlord gas safety: what the law requires in 2026

6 min read · Updated 2 Oct 2026 · Reviewed by accredited engineer

If you let a residential property with any gas appliance, pipework or flue in England, you legally must hold a valid Landlord Gas Safety Record (CP12) renewed every 12 months. The inspection must strictly be conducted by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and you must furnish existing tenants with a copy within 28 days or new tenants prior to move-in.

What the Gas Safe engineer checks

Every gas appliance you provide as landlord is inspected alongside pipework and flues. The engineer runs a gas tightness test on the whole installation, inspects burner pressure, measures flue spillage, and confirms flame failure devices work properly.

Gas tightness test on the full installation to detect microscopic leaks

Operating pressure and heat input against manufacturer specifications

Flue flow and spillage tests to guarantee safe evacuation of combustion gases

Adequate permanent ventilation to every appliance room

Safety shut-off and flame-supervision device operation

What happens if defects are found

Appliances are categorised into Immediately Dangerous (ID), At Risk (AR), or Not to Current Standards (NCS). Any ID or AR fault must be made safe immediately before a satisfactory record is granted. Our engineers carry common spares to perform repairs on the spot.

Penalties for non-compliance

Failure to hold a valid CP12 is a criminal offence under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, with unlimited fines, invalidation of landlord insurance, and prevents landlords from serving a valid Section 21 eviction notice.