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Gas, electrical and EPC certificates

The safety and energy checks every landlord needs: how often, who can do them, and what to give your tenant.

Updated . Applies to England.

12 monthsBetween gas safety checks
5 yearsMaximum gap between electrical inspections
Band EThe lowest EPC rating you can let at
28 daysTo give tenants a copy of a new gas or electrical report

Gas safety certificate

If the property has any gas appliances, such as a boiler, fire or hob, you need a gas safety check every 12 months. The engineer gives you a record of the check, often called a gas safety certificate or CP12.

  • Who can do it: a Gas Safe registered engineer. Check their ID card shows they're qualified for the type of appliance.
  • Copies: give existing tenants a copy within 28 days of the check, and new tenants a copy before they move in.
  • Records: keep each record for at least two years.
  • Booking early: you can have the check done up to two months early and keep your original renewal date, so you never lose time.

Find a registered engineer on the Gas Safe Register.

Electrical safety report (EICR)

The electrics, meaning the wiring, sockets, fuse box and fixed fittings, must be inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. You'll get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

  • Copies: give existing tenants the report within 28 days of the inspection, new tenants before they move in, and anyone thinking of renting within 28 days of asking.
  • Council requests: if your council asks for the report, send it within 7 days.
  • Repairs: if the report says work is needed, finish it within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. Then give the tenant and the council written confirmation within 28 days of the work being done.

Use an electrician registered with a recognised scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, so you can be sure they're qualified.

  • Up to £40,000The fine a council can give for breaking the electrical safety rules.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

An EPC rates how energy efficient the home is, from A (best) to G (worst). It lasts 10 years.

  • Minimum rating: you can't let a home rated F or G unless you've registered a valid exemption.
  • Improvements: if the rating is too low, you currently don't have to spend more than £3,500 (including VAT) on improvements. If that still isn't enough, you can register an exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register.
  • Copies: give it free of charge to anyone thinking of renting the property.
  • Up to £5,000The total fine per property for letting a home below the minimum rating.

Higher standards are coming. The government aims for as many rented homes as possible to reach EPC band C, or equivalent, by 2030. The details are still being finalised after a 2026 consultation, so it's worth checking what your EPC recommends now.

To get a new EPC, find an accredited energy assessor through GOV.UK.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

These aren't certificates, but they're part of the same safety checks:

  • Smoke alarms: at least one on every storey with living space.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms: in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler or wood burner. Gas cookers don't count.
  • Testing: check they all work on the day each new tenancy starts.
  • Faults: repair or replace an alarm as soon as you're told it's faulty.
  • Up to £5,000The fine if you don't comply with a council notice about alarms.

The landlord register

When you join the new landlord register, you'll need to upload your gas safety record, EICR and EPC within 28 days. Then update the register within 28 days whenever you get a new certificate.

What to do now

  1. Find your current gas safety record, EICR and EPC, and note when each one expires.
  2. Book anything due in the next two months. A gas check can be done up to two months early without losing time.
  3. Make sure your tenant has copies of the latest certificates.
  4. Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  5. Keep digital copies together, ready for the landlord register.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the official guidance linked below if you're unsure about your property.

Sources: HSE: Gas safety for landlords and letting agents; GOV.UK: Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors; GOV.UK: Minimum energy efficiency standard, landlord guidance (updated 5 May 2026); GOV.UK: Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations; HCR Law: The Warm Homes Plan explained.