How Long Does a Gas Safety Certificate Last?

Landlord Guide 2026

How Long Does a Gas Safety Certificate Last?

If you rent out a property with gas appliances, knowing exactly when your certificate expires matters, because letting it lapse is a criminal offence. Here's a clear answer, plus what to do if you're unsure when yours runs out.

A landlord gas safety certificate (CP12) lasts 12 months from the date the check was carried out. It must be renewed every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and there is no grace period once it expires.

When Should You Book the Renewal?

You can have the check carried out any time in the two months before your current certificate expires without losing any time. The new certificate's expiry date carries forward from the original date rather than resetting, so booking early doesn't shorten your coverage.

This matters practically: if your certificate expires on 15 June, having the check done on 20 April still gives you an expiry of 15 June the following year. There's no penalty for being organised, so most landlords book roughly a month ahead to allow for engineer availability and any remedial work.

How to Check Your Expiry Date

• The date of the inspection is printed on your CP12 certificate, add 12 months to that date
• If you've lost your copy, the engineer who carried out the check should hold a record
• Landlords must keep records for at least two years, so check your own files first
• If you genuinely can't establish the date, book a fresh check rather than guessing

What happens if it expires: letting a gas safety certificate lapse is a criminal offence, with potential fines and prosecution. It can also invalidate landlord insurance, meaning you could be personally liable if something goes wrong with a gas appliance during the uncovered period.

Common Questions

Is there a grace period after the certificate expires?

No. The legal requirement is a valid certificate at all times where gas appliances are provided. There is no grace period, which is why booking ahead of the expiry date is worth doing.

Does the certificate restart if I get the check done early?

No, and that's deliberate. If the check is carried out within two months of the expiry date, the new expiry carries forward from the original date, so you don't lose any of the period you've already paid for.

Do I need a new certificate if I get a new tenant mid-year?

Not automatically, the existing certificate remains valid for its full 12 months. But you do need to give the new tenant a copy before they move in.

What if I own several rental properties?

Each property needs its own certificate with its own renewal date. It's worth keeping a central record of expiry dates across your portfolio rather than tracking them individually.

Does a boiler service count as a gas safety check?

No, they're separate things. A gas safety check confirms appliances are safe and is a legal requirement; a service is maintenance that keeps the boiler running efficiently. Many landlords book both together in one visit.

Booking Your Renewal

Our Gas Safe registered engineers carry out landlord gas safety checks across Dartford, Kent, Essex, Sussex and London, and can combine the check with a full boiler service in a single visit. For a fuller explanation of what the check covers and your wider responsibilities as a landlord, see our complete landlord gas safety guide.

Find out more about our landlord gas safety service, or get in touch to book your renewal.