OUR BLOG

ALL (70) Plumbing (45) Heating (21) Gas (11) Electrical (1)

How Often Should You Renew a Gas Safety Certificate?

Renewing your Gas Safety Certificate every 12 months is a legal requirement for landlords. Citywide Plumbers explains the importance, consequences of delay, and how to stay compliant through professional inspections.

Thursday، 05 June 2025 |

A Gas Safety Certificate, also known as a CP12, is not just a recommendation—it’s a legal requirement for all landlords in the UK. But how often should you renew it, and what are the risks if you don't?

At Citywide Plumbers, we regularly assist landlords and managing agents across London with timely inspections and renewals. Let’s break down how often your certificate should be renewed and why it’s crucial to never let it lapse.

GAS SAFTETY CERTICATE

CALL US NOW 02038928545

1. The 12-Month Rule

By law, landlords must renew their Gas Safety Certificate every 12 months from the date of the last inspection. This rule is outlined in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Failing to renew on time can result in:

Legal penalties or fines
Invalidated insurance policies
Difficulty evicting tenants legally (Section 21)
Risk to tenant health and safety

At Citywide Plumbers, we recommend booking your next inspection a few weeks before expiry to avoid last-minute stress.

2. Is Early Renewal Allowed?

Yes, but there’s a helpful rule: if you renew the certificate within 10–12 months of the last inspection, the new certificate can still retain the original expiry date. This is known as the flexible renewal window and prevents overlap or gaps.

For example:

Your current certificate expires 1 August 2025
You book a new check on 15 July 2025
Your new certificate is valid until 1 August 2026

This approach keeps you continuously compliant and avoids unnecessary double inspections.

3. What About New Tenancies?

If a new tenant is moving in, the landlord must provide a valid Gas Safety Certificate before the tenancy begins. Even if you’ve had the property inspected recently, you must ensure the certificate is current and provided to the tenant.

4. What If You Own Multiple Properties?

For landlords with several properties, keeping track of expiry dates can be challenging. At Citywide Plumbers, we offer scheduled reminders and grouped inspections to help landlords manage compliance across their portfolio with ease.

We can even arrange back-to-back appointments for multiple properties to save time and reduce cost.

5. Homeowners: Not Legally Required, But Strongly Advised

If you’re a private homeowner, you are not legally required to have a Gas Safety Certificate. However, regular checks are still strongly recommended for safety and insurance purposes—especially if: