If you are a landlord in the Wirral or anywhere in the UK, gas safety is not optional — it is a legal requirement. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 place clear duties on landlords to maintain gas appliances and have them checked annually. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines, imprisonment, and invalidation of your insurance.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is a CP12 Certificate?
A CP12, officially called a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is the document issued after an annual gas safety check on a rental property. It confirms that all gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the property have been inspected and are safe to use.
You must have a valid CP12 for every property you rent out that has gas appliances. This includes boilers, gas fires, gas cookers, and gas water heaters.
Your Legal Obligations
As a landlord, you are required to:
- **Have all gas appliances serviced and safety-checked every 12 months** by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- **Provide a copy of the CP12 to existing tenants** within 28 days of the check
- **Provide a copy to new tenants** before they move in
- **Keep records of safety checks** for at least two years
- **Ensure all gas pipework and flues are maintained** in a safe condition
What Does the Gas Safety Check Cover?
A Gas Safe engineer will inspect every gas appliance in the property and check:
- **Gas tightness** — testing pipework for leaks
- **Burner pressure and gas rate** — ensuring each appliance is receiving the correct gas supply
- **Flue performance** — making sure combustion gases are venting safely to the outside
- **Ventilation** — confirming there is adequate airflow for safe combustion
- **Safety devices** — testing that flame failure devices and thermocouples are working correctly
- **General condition** — checking for visible damage, corrosion, or signs of misuse
The engineer will then issue the CP12 record listing each appliance, its location, and whether it passed or failed.
What Happens If an Appliance Fails?
If an appliance fails the safety check, the engineer will classify it as either **At Risk** or **Immediately Dangerous**. An immediately dangerous appliance will be disconnected on the spot. An at-risk appliance will be marked for repair, and you must arrange the repair before the property is occupied.
You cannot allow a tenant to use a gas appliance that has failed a safety check.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Health and Safety Executive takes gas safety seriously. Landlords who fail to comply with the regulations face:
- **Fines of up to £20,000** per offence in a magistrates' court
- **Unlimited fines** in a crown court
- **Up to 6 months in prison** (magistrates' court) or **up to 2 years** (crown court)
- **Invalidation of landlord insurance** — if a tenant is harmed by a faulty gas appliance and you do not have a valid CP12, your insurance will almost certainly refuse to pay out
Tips for Staying Compliant
- **Set a calendar reminder** two months before your CP12 expires so you have time to book an engineer
- **Use the same Gas Safe engineer each year** — they will know the property and can spot developing issues
- **Keep digital copies** of all CP12 records in addition to paper ones
- **Check your engineer's Gas Safe registration** at GasSafeRegister.co.uk — it takes 30 seconds
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
While not yet a legal requirement for all rental properties in England (it is in Scotland), fitting a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a gas appliance is strongly recommended. The cost is minimal and it could save a life.
JF Plumbing & Heating provides landlord gas safety checks across the Wirral and Merseyside. We offer competitive rates for landlords with multiple properties and can set up annual reminders so you never miss a renewal. Contact us to arrange your CP12 inspection.