In the current UK property landscape, a Gas Safety Certificate – formally known as a CP12 – is the most time critical document in a landlord’s compliance portfolio. Unlike other property certifications, gas safety is an annual legal requirement under the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998. This certificate confirms that all gas appliances, fittings, and flues within a property are operating safely and meet current 2026 combustion standards to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and gas leaks.
With the government’s continued focus on the Warm Homes Plan and the transition toward highly efficient heating systems, maintaining an up to date gas record is vital for property value and tenant safety. Whether you are managing a single studio in London or a large HMO in Sussex, an annual inspection is the only way to ensure your heating systems remain efficient, legal, and safe for habitation.
Maintaining an annual CP12 is a strict legal obligation for landlords, carrying some of the heaviest penalties in the property industry:
Legal Letting & Sales: You must provide a copy of the Gas Safety Record to your existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, or to new tenants before they move in. To maximize efficiency, many landlords bundle this annual check with an Electrical Safety Certificate EICR or an Energy Performance Certificate EPC.
The Section 21 Barrier: Failing to provide a valid Gas Safety Certificate at the start of a tenancy is a fatal flaw that can legally prevent a landlord from serving a Section 21 notice to regain possession of their property.
Severe Penalties: Non compliance with gas safety laws is a criminal offense. Failure to hold a valid CP12 can result in unlimited fines, custodial sentences, and the invalidation of your landlord insurance policy.
At First Certify, we facilitate these inspections through avetted panel of Gas Safe Registered engineers. A qualified technician will visit your property to perform a comprehensive safety check, typically lasting 30 to 90 minutes. The engineer examines:
Appliance Integrity: Checking the burner pressure, gas rate, and physical condition of boilers, cookers, and fires.
Ventilation & Flues: Ensuring that exhaust fumes are being safely extracted from the building.
Safety Devices: Testing that all cut out and monitoring devices are fully operational.
Tightness Testing: Checking the entire system for gas leaks between the meter and the appliances.
Our partners provide digital records within 48-72 hours of completion. To further simplify your property management, consider booking a Portable Appliance Testing PAT or Professional Floor Plans to be totally compliant or help effectively market your property.
Whether you are managing a portfolio in Brighton, a family home in Worthing, or a commercial space in London, our goal is a seamless, stress free inspection. We stay at the forefront of 2026 gas safety legislation to advise you on necessary repairs and system upgrades, ensuring your property remains attractive to tenants and fully compliant. Our automated renewal reminders mean you’ll never miss a deadline, giving you total peace of mind year after year.
Unlike an EPC, there is no central public database for individual Gas Safety Certificates. To verify if you have one, you can check for a record sticker on the front or side of the boiler, which often lists the date of the last safety inspection. Please note that a standard boiler service sticker does not necessarily mean a legal Gas Safety Certificate was completed. For landlords, if you cannot locate your physical CP12 paperwork and your records show the last legal check was more than 12 months ago, your legal coverage has expired. To maintain your insurance and legal standing, we recommend
Q: How long does a Gas Safety Certificate inspection take?
A Gas Safety Certificate inspection typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the property and the number of gas appliances that need to be checked. Larger properties or those with multiple gas appliances may take a little longer.
Q: Do I need to be present during the Gas Safety Certificate inspection?
It’s not required for you to be present during the inspection, but it can be helpful if you’re available to provide access to gas appliances, such as boilers, ovens, and gas meters. The inspector will need to check these systems for safety.
Q: Is a Gas Safety Certificate required for rental properties?
Yes, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances in a rental property are inspected and have a valid Gas Safety Certificate every year. This certificate must be provided to tenants at the start of the tenancy and upon renewal of the certificate.
Q: What happens if my Gas Safety Certificate inspection reveals a problem?
If the inspection reveals any safety concerns or issues, the engineer will provide a report with details of the problems and may advise on necessary repairs or improvements. In the case of a serious safety issue, the appliance may need to be disconnected until it is properly repaired.
Our online booking system is available 24/7 and allows you to book your EPC, EICR, or Gas Safety Certificates at a time that suits you best.
Steps to Book Online:
Visit our website and go to the booking page.
Select the service(s) you need (EPC, EICR, Gas Safety Certificate).
Choose your preferred time and date for the inspection.
Enter your details, address and payment information.
Confirm your booking and receive an instant confirmation email.
Advantages:
Fast and easy to schedule.
Available at any time, day or night.
Receive instant confirmation.
If you prefer to book via email or need more information before making a decision, simply email us with your booking request. We’ll get back to you promptly with available dates and confirmation of your appointment.
Email: support@firstcertify.co.uk
Advantages:
Convenient for those who prefer written communication.
Get a detailed response with all your questions answered.
Can be used for more complex inquiries or bookings.
Brighton & Hove
Crawley
Worthing
Bognor Regis
Eastbourne
Hastings
Lewes
Shoreham-by-Sea
Littlehampton
Burgess Hill
Haywards Heath
Lancing
Central London
North London
South London
East London
West London
Greater London Area
Maidstone
Canterbury
Tunbridge Wells
Dover
Ashford
Folkestone
Chatham
Rochester
Gillingham
First Certify is expanding and we are looking for qualified Gas Safe Registered engineers to cover Sussex London, the South East & the UK. As the property market moves through the compliance cycle and the latest safety reforms, we are seeing a record demand for annual Gas Safety Certificates CP12. We offer our engineers steady reliable work with a professional back office team that handles the admin and appointment booking so you can focus on the inspection and safety testing. If you value flexible scheduling, competitive rates and a well organised workflow, we would love to hear from you.
We provide Gas Safety Certifictes and property certification in the following locations:
First Certify provides compliance certification for landlords and agents across the UK.
Contact us if your area is not listed.
