Key takeaway
At a glance
Landlords with gas appliances must arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The record (commonly called a CP12) must be given to tenants within 28 days. Failing to do so carries a fine of up to £6,000 per offence and can void your landlord insurance.
If your rental property has a gas boiler, gas hob, gas fire, or any other gas appliance, you are legally required to have it checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The engineer produces a Gas Safety Record, widely known by its old form number CP12, which you must keep for two years and give to tenants.
This guide covers everything Lincoln landlords need to know: what the check involves, what it costs, how to get organised across a portfolio, and what the consequences are for non-compliance.
What is a landlord gas safety certificate?
The CP12 record
The official term is a Gas Safety Record. It is produced by a Gas Safe registered engineer after inspecting every gas appliance and flue in your rental property. The check covers the boiler, any gas hobs or ovens, gas fires, and the flue or chimney that removes combustion gases. The engineer checks for gas leaks, adequate ventilation, correct operating pressure, and safe flue performance.
Once signed off, the record must be: retained by you for at least two years, given to existing tenants within 28 days of the check, and given to new tenants before they move in.
Legal basis
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 impose the annual inspection duty on landlords. Gas Safe replaced CORGI as the statutory registration body in April 2009. Always verify your engineer's Gas Safe registration number at gassaferegister.co.uk before the appointment.
How much does a gas safety certificate cost for landlords in 2026?
Typical CP12 costs in Lincolnshire — June 2026
| Scenario | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Single gas appliance (boiler only) | £60 - £90 |
| Two appliances (boiler + hob) | £70 - £100 |
| Three or more appliances | £80 - £120 |
| Portfolio rate (3+ properties, same engineer) | £55 - £75 per property |
| Same-day or out-of-hours inspection | Add £30 - £60 surcharge |
Prices vary by region, number of appliances, and whether the engineer has to travel to multiple properties. Lincoln landlords typically pay £60 to £90 for a standard single-boiler check. Landlords with larger portfolios often negotiate a portfolio rate with a Gas Safe engineer who does all their checks in a block, which brings the per-property cost down significantly.
Portfolio tip
If you have three or more properties, ask your Gas Safe engineer to schedule all checks in the same rolling month each year. It is easier to track, often cheaper per property, and ensures you never miss a renewal.
What does the gas safety check involve?
What the engineer checks
If an appliance fails, the engineer will mark it as 'Immediately Dangerous' or 'At Risk' on the record and should disconnect it or advise the landlord in writing. An appliance marked Immediately Dangerous cannot be left in use. Repair or replacement is required before the property can be re-let.
What happens if a landlord doesn't have a gas safety certificate?
Penalties for non-compliance
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can issue a fine of up to £6,000 per offence for failing to carry out an annual gas safety check or failing to provide the record to tenants. In serious cases, criminal prosecution is possible. Many landlord insurance policies will also void any claim if a valid gas safety certificate is not in place at the time of an incident.
Beyond the fine, a missing gas safety record also undermines your legal position in any dispute with a tenant. Since 2018, a Section 21 notice (no-fault eviction) cannot be served on a tenant if the landlord has not provided a valid gas safety record for the property.
Gas safety and the Landlord Group Membership
LWR Group works with a network of Gas Safe registered engineers across Lincoln and Lincolnshire. While we do not carry out gas safety checks ourselves, our Landlord Group Membership includes a compliance tracker that logs your gas safety, <a href='/blog/landlord-eicr-certificate-guide' class='text-plum underline hover:text-plum-light'>EICR</a>, and EPC renewal dates — and flags upcoming renewals before you miss them.
Membership also covers your reactive repairs at a 30% discounted rate, planned maintenance inspections, and a dedicated maintenance portal for your tenants, so you are not chasing call-outs yourself. If you manage three or more properties, the membership typically pays for itself on labour savings alone.
LWR Group
Property Services · Lincoln & Lincolnshire
