Can Tenants See CP12 Certificates? Their Rights

A tenant moves into a property, sees a boiler and gas hob, but has not been given any paperwork. That is not simply an admin issue. So, can tenants see CP12 certificates? Yes. In England, tenants have a legal right to receive a copy of the landlord gas safety record, commonly called a CP12, for the gas appliances and flues covered by the annual inspection.

For landlords and managing agents, supplying the record is a required part of the job, not an optional extra once the engineer has left. A valid inspection, completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer, protects the tenant and helps show that the property is being managed properly.

Can tenants see CP12 certificates before moving in?

New tenants must be given a copy of the current gas safety record before they move into the property. This gives them confirmation that the relevant gas appliances, pipework and flues have been checked before they begin living there.

For an existing tenancy, the landlord must provide the latest record within 28 days of the safety check being completed. The inspection itself must be carried out at least every 12 months where the landlord has relevant gas appliances or flues to maintain.

The document can be given as a paper copy or electronically, provided the tenant can access it and keep it for future reference. Sending a clear PDF by email is usually practical, but landlords should make sure the tenant has agreed to receive documents that way and retain evidence that it was sent.

A tenant does not have to chase for the certificate. The duty sits with the landlord. However, asking for a copy is sensible if it has not arrived, particularly when a tenancy has just started or the annual inspection has recently taken place.

What a CP12 certificate tells a tenant

CP12 is the common name for a Landlord Gas Safety Record. It records the checks carried out at the property on appliances and flues that the landlord is responsible for, such as a boiler, gas fire or supplied cooker.

A proper record should identify the property, the date of the check, the appliances and flues examined, any defects found and the action taken. It should also show the engineer's name, Gas Safe registration details and signature. The next check date should be clear.

Receiving a CP12 does not mean every gas appliance in the home has been fully serviced or that an appliance will never develop a fault. A gas safety check and a boiler service are related but different jobs. A service is more detailed maintenance and may be recommended by the appliance manufacturer. For a landlord, both safety and reliable heating matter, especially in a busy rental property.

Tenants are generally responsible for their own appliances, such as a cooker they have bought and installed themselves. Those items may not appear on the landlord's CP12. That does not remove the need for the tenant to use them safely or arrange suitable checks where necessary.

What happens if the certificate shows a problem?

A certificate may note an issue that needs attention. This does not automatically mean the property is unsafe to occupy, but the response depends on the defect and its risk level.

If an appliance is found to be immediately dangerous, the engineer will explain the risk and should make it safe, normally by disconnecting it with the appropriate permission. It must not be used again until repairs have been completed by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.

A less serious fault may still need prompt repair. Landlords should not treat an advisory note as something to leave until the next annual visit. Clear communication helps here: tell the tenant what was found, what work is booked and whether they need to avoid using a particular appliance.

Tenants should report warning signs without delay. These include a smell of gas, a lazy yellow or orange flame instead of a crisp blue flame, black marks around an appliance, pilot lights that frequently go out, excessive condensation, or headaches and nausea that seem worse when gas appliances are running. If there is a suspected gas leak, turn off the gas supply if it is safe to do so, avoid switches and naked flames, open windows, leave the property and contact the emergency gas service on 0800 111 999.

Can a tenant ask to see an engineer's Gas Safe ID?

Yes. A tenant can ask the engineer to show their Gas Safe Register ID card before work begins. The card confirms that the engineer is registered and shows the categories of gas work they are qualified to carry out. Not every registered engineer is qualified for every appliance type.

This is especially relevant where an engineer is inspecting a boiler, gas fire or cooker. The right qualifications should match the work being undertaken. A genuine professional will expect the question and be happy to show identification.

Landlords do not need to arrange for the tenant to be present during the inspection, but it is often useful. The tenant can point out concerns, hear any usage advice and know whether follow-up work is needed. Access still needs to be arranged reasonably, in line with the tenancy agreement and proper notice requirements.

If a landlord has not supplied a CP12

First, the tenant should ask the landlord or letting agent in writing for a copy of the current gas safety record. A short email creates a useful record and may resolve a simple oversight quickly. The request should identify the address and ask when the last inspection was completed.

If there is no response, or the tenant believes the gas safety check has not been done, they can contact their local authority's private sector housing team or the Health and Safety Executive for advice. A missing certificate is a compliance concern, but an appliance that appears unsafe needs urgent action rather than a routine paperwork request.

Landlords should keep gas safety records for at least two years. Keeping a well-organised digital copy makes it straightforward to issue the record on the day of the inspection and to provide it again if a tenant, agent or local authority asks for it later.

A practical approach for landlords and agents

The simplest process is to book the annual check early, confirm access with the tenant, use a Gas Safe registered engineer and issue the completed record as soon as the inspection is finished. This avoids last-minute chases, disputed access and gaps in compliance when a tenancy changes over.

At Bournemouth Gas Certificates, landlord gas safety checks are arranged around the practical needs of local landlords and agents, with same-day certificate issuing once the inspection is complete. That means less paperwork to chase and a clear record for the tenant.

A CP12 is not just a document to file away. When tenants receive it on time, they can see that the gas safety checks have been completed, understand any work carried out and raise concerns early. That is better for compliance, better for property management and, most importantly, better for everyone living in the home.