The short answer
if you let a home in England, you need a gas safety check every 12 months and an electrical inspection (EICR) at least every 5 years. Both must be done by a qualified person, and your tenants must be given a copy.
This guide is for England and is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Check GOV.UK or your local council for the current rules.
At a glance.
| Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) | EICR | |
|---|---|---|
| What it checks | Gas appliances, flues and pipework you provide | The fixed electrical installation: wiring, sockets, consumer unit |
| How often | Every 12 months | At least every 5 years |
| Who does it | A Gas Safe registered engineer | A qualified and competent electrician |
| Copy to existing tenants | Within 28 days of the check | Within 28 days of the inspection |
| Copy to new tenants | Before they move in | Before they move in |
Gas Safety Certificate (CP12).
What it is. A record that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in the property have been checked and are safe. "CP12" is the old form name that stuck.
When you need one. Every 12 months, for any rental with gas appliances you provide. You can have the check done up to two months before the due date and keep the same renewal date.
Who can do it. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can check their registration on the Gas Safe Register.
What to do with it. Give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants before they move in. Keep your records for at least two years.
If something fails. The engineer will tell you what's unsafe. It needs repairing by a Gas Safe registered engineer before the appliance is used again.
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
What it is. A report on the condition of the fixed electrics. It doesn't test portable appliances.
When you need one. At least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so.
What the codes mean.
- C1: danger present. Needs immediate action.
- C2: potentially dangerous. Needs urgent action.
- FI: further investigation needed.
- C3: improvement recommended. Not a fail.
A report with any C1, C2 or FI is "unsatisfactory".
If it's unsatisfactory. The work must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. Get written confirmation that it's been done, and give it to your tenants and the council within 28 days.
What to do with it. Give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days, to new tenants before they move in, and to the council within 7 days if they ask.
Alarms.
While you're at it:
- A smoke alarm on every floor used as living accommodation.
- A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a boiler or fire (gas cookers excepted).
- Alarms repaired or replaced once you're told they're faulty.
Staying on top of the dates.
Most problems with compliance aren't about the check itself. They're about the date slipping past. A few habits help:
- Keep every certificate in one place.
- Put renewal dates in a calendar with a two-month reminder.
- Book gas checks early. You don't lose any time on the certificate.
- Keep proof of when you gave copies to tenants.
For a year-round view, take the free Property Health Score. Seven questions, about two minutes.
How Landlord Pro helps.
Landlord Pro is FixAble's subscription for rental properties in Greater Manchester. Per property, it includes:
- An annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
- An EICR when it's due, every 5 years
- Compliance certificates stored in one place
- An annual boiler service and annual maintenance check
- Plumbing, heating, electrical, roofing and general repairs, with up to 3 callouts a month
- Labour on every job, plus £250 of materials per job
- An annual fire door inspection for HMOs
Already have a valid EICR? Send us a copy when you join and we'll include the next one when it's due. Without one, we arrange your first within the first 3 months.
Landlord Pro is from £55.99 per property a month, depending on portfolio size.
