If you let a property with gas appliances, you must have every gas appliance, flue and the related pipework you provide checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The engineer issues a gas safety record, sometimes called a CP12 or landlord gas safety certificate. You must give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days, to new tenants before they move in, and keep records for at least two years.

That covers the legal basics. Here’s what it means in practice for Oxfordshire landlords. Our landlords gas safe report page explains how we carry out checks.

What’s covered

• Gas boilers
• Gas hobs, ovens and cookers
• Gas fires
• Flues and chimneys serving gas appliances
• Gas pipework and fittings

Appliances the tenant owns aren’t the landlord’s responsibility, though flues serving them may be.

What the engineer checks

• Correct gas pressure and burner operation
• Flue and chimney performance
• Adequate ventilation
• Safety devices
• Gas tightness of the installation

The record lists each appliance, its condition, any defects and the engineer’s details, including their Gas Safe number.

Deadlines and the two-month window

The check is due within 12 months of the last one. Landlords can carry it out up to two months early while keeping the original expiry date. That flexibility helps when coordinating access with tenants.

Student lets and HMOs in Oxford

Oxford has a large student and shared-house rental market. For HMOs and shared houses:

• The same annual gas safety rules apply
• Every tenant should receive a copy of the record
• Communal appliances and areas need checking too
• HMO licence conditions may add extra requirements

Checks are often easier to arrange during holiday periods or between tenancies, but make sure the record is valid before new tenants move in.

If an appliance fails

• Immediately Dangerous: disconnected with permission and labelled. Must not be used.
• At Risk: usually turned off and must be repaired before use.
• Not to Current Standards: recommended for improvement.

Landlords must arrange repairs to appliances they provide. If a boiler needs replacing, see our boiler installation page.

Service and safety check together

A gas safety check isn’t a boiler service. Booking both at the same visit saves tenants two appointments and reduces the chance of winter breakdowns. Our post on whether boiler servicing really saves money explains the benefits.

Alarms

Rented homes in England need a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers), and a smoke alarm on each storey. Replace or repair alarms when they’re reported faulty.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a landlord gas safety check take?

It depends on the number of appliances. A typical flat or house with a boiler and hob is often quick, but allow time for access and paperwork.

Can I send the record to tenants by email?

Yes, electronic copies are acceptable if the tenant agrees to receive documents that way.

Do I need a new record when tenants change?

Not if the current record is still valid. New tenants must receive a copy before moving in.

Book your landlord gas safety check

Got checks due across Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot or Wallingford? Give us a call on 01865 817 611 or drop us a message and we’ll get them booked in.