Gas Safety Certificate Cost

A gas safety certificate, officially known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, is produced following a safety check of the gas appliances and flues that fall under a landlord’s legal responsibilities in a rental property.

The typical cost for a gas safety check is £60-£90 for a gas boiler and one other appliance. Each additional appliance may incur an extra charge. Costs vary depending on the number of gas appliances and flues checked, as well as the property’s location within the UK.

Landlords are legally required to arrange annual gas safety checks and provide a copy of the record to their tenants. The checks must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer who is registered for the relevant work.

How Much Does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?

Gas safety certificate prices vary depending on the number of appliances being checked and the property’s location.

Gas Safety Certificate/Check for One Property

A gas safety check carried out for a single rental property typically costs between £60-£90. In London and the South East, this cost rises to between £80 and £110, due to higher operating costs.

Check covering one gas appliance.

The cost to check one gas appliance is usually £60-£90. For most properties, this typically involves a gas boiler and the connected flue.

Additional Appliance Charges

Where there are additional gas-fuelled appliances, an extra charge of £10-£20 per item is applied to the cost, depending on the location of the property.

Properties with Several Gas Appliances

A property with a number of different gas appliances such as a boiler, gas fire, gas hob or water heater may cost £80-£120. Prices of £90-£130 are likely in London and the South East.

Gas Safety Check Combined with a Boiler Service

Combining a gas safety check with a boiler service is common and makes sense for landlords who are legally obliged to ensure their property is safe and the boiler is working efficiently. A boiler service and gas safety certificate costs £85-£140.

Typical London/South East Prices

Gas safety check costs in London and the South East are typically 20-40% higher than in other parts of the UK. A standard home costs £80-£110, with extra charges for each additional appliance averaging £20.

What Is a Gas Safety Certificate?

What many people know as a gas safety certificate is known officially as a Landlord Gas Safety Record. It’s also known as a CP12. Despite having a few different names, its purpose remains the same - to confirm that the gas appliances and flues covered by the landlord's legal responsibilities have received the required safety checks from a Gas Safe registered engineer.

The reason for its official title, Landlord Gas Safety Record, is that landlords must ensure that this inspection is carried out annually and that a copy of the certificate is given to the tenants.

The name CP12 is an older term. It refers to the designated form used by the pre-2009 body responsible for gas safety, the Council for Registered Gas Installers, known as CORGI. It’s still colloquially known by this name in many places.

Gas Safety Certificate or gas safety check are common ways to refer to this legally mandated inspection for rental properties.

What Is Included in a Gas Safety Check?

An annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer includes:

• Carrying out the appropriate safety checks and tests for the appliances and installation being inspected.
• Examining all gas appliances, e.g. boiler, hob, cooker, fire, water heater, for secure fitting, physical stability and proper connection to gas pipework
• Ensuring appliances are properly adjusted to burn gas correctly
• Making sure all flues, chimneys and vents are working properly
• Checking all safety devices are functioning correctly
• Verifying that each gas appliance is suitable for its location
• Ensuring that there is a permanent and adequate air supply suitable for each appliance

The information recorded on the Landlord Gas Safety Record must include:

• Description and location of each gas appliance and flue inspected.
• The name, signature and registration number of the Gas Safe engineer who carries out the inspection.
• Date of the gas safety check.
• Address of the property.
• Name and address of the landlord or their agent.
• Any identified defects that are a safety issue and the remedial action taken.

Gas Safety Certificate Labour Costs

The majority of a gas safety check cost is tied to the labour involved, carried out by the Gas Safe registered engineer. Their job is to visually and physically check the gas appliances in a property, including using appropriate instruments and tools to take measurements.

Costs include the charges for the engineer’s time, the number of gas appliances to be checked and the location of the property in the UK. In most cases, a fixed price is applied to a landlord gas certificate, typically covering one appliance such as a boiler. This ranges from £60-£90. Supplementary charges of £10-£20 are then added for each additional appliance checked.

Prices for a gas safety check vary according to the labour rates in the local area, with costs in London and the South East usually higher by 20-40%. A call-out fee is not typical as the price normally includes the engineer’s travel, time and providing the certificate.

All gas safety checks must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer who is competent for the relevant type of gas work or appliance being inspected.

What Affects the Cost of a Gas Safety Certificate?

Several factors affect the landlord gas safety certificate cost, including the number of appliances, UK location and whether any remedial work is identified.

Number of Gas Appliances

The gas safety inspection cost for most landlords is determined by the number of gas appliances in the property. A small flat with only a gas hob to be inspected costs less than a 3-bedroom house with a gas boiler, hob and gas fire.

Type of Appliances

Gas appliances vary in their design and complexity. As a result, the time taken to check a gas hob is less than for a gas boiler, impacting the CP12 certificate cost. Different testing methods apply to various appliances, which affect how long each one takes.

Property Size

A one-bedroom flat with a gas water heater takes less time for an engineer to inspect than a large home with lots of pipework, gas fires and a complex boiler. The number of appliances is also likely to be higher in a bigger property, adding to the inspection time.

Accessibility of Appliances

Gas appliances that are difficult to reach for the purpose of testing, such as a boxed-in boiler, can increase a gas certificate cost. The extra labour time spent accessing flues, appliances or the gas meter adds to the expense of the inspection.

Location in the UK

Labour rates for most trades vary across the UK, and this is no different for heating engineers. Regional labour costs inevitably impact how much homeowners pay for a gas safety check.

London and the South East are among the most expensive areas for labour costs, and engineers in central London face additional parking, congestion and Ultra Low Emission Zone charges. The North of England and the Midlands are among the most affordable areas.

Whether Remedial Work is Identified

If remedial work is identified during a gas safety inspection, the cost of putting the fault right will increase the overall price of the check. Exact costs depend on whether a minor fix, major repair or component replacement is needed.

Where a fault is detected and needs to be repaired, this is typically charged separately from the CP12 cost.

Whether a Boiler Service is Booked at the Same Time

Combining a boiler service with a gas safety check means the engineer gets everything done in one visit, reducing travel costs. In addition, the work itself overlaps and so can often be done much quicker than two separate tasks.

Engineer/Company Pricing Structure

The pricing structure of different heating engineers or companies has a direct impact on a gas safety inspection cost. Baseline fees, additional appliance charges and overhead costs vary across different regions and even between heating engineers within the same area.

Urgent or Short-notice Appointments

An urgent or short-notice visit by a heating engineer can increase costs due to the need to attend immediately. This can mean rescheduling an engineer, which has a knock-on effect on other customers and therefore attracts a premium.

How Long Does a Gas Safety Check Take?

A gas safety check typically lasts about an hour. However, the exact duration of the visit depends on several factors.

A property with only one appliance, like a boiler or gas hob, should take between 30-40 minutes. Homes with a boiler and a gas fire may take 60-90 minutes depending on complexity and access.

Where there are several gas appliances to be checked, inspection times may run to a couple of hours. Situations where the safety check takes longer include complex layouts, clearing access to reach installations and working on poorly maintained gas appliances.

Additional Costs

Other costs that apply to maintaining safe and efficient gas appliances include boiler servicing, repairs and sometimes, replacements.

Boiler Servicing

An annual boiler service costs £100 on average, with prices higher in London and the South East. As well as ensuring the safe and efficient running of the boiler, an annual service is required to maintain the validity of the warranty.

Boiler Repairs

The average cost of a boiler repair is around £300, although it depends on the fault, call-out time and any parts required. Minor fixes may cost as little as £50 while replacing major components can cost up to £700.

Gas Appliance Repairs

The price of gas appliance repairs depends heavily on the type of appliance, the exact fault and any replacement part required. Costs can range from £80-£300. Any repairs to a gas appliance must, by law, be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Replacement Appliances

Prices for replacing a gas appliance vary widely. For example, fitting a new gas hob costs between £190 and £500 while replacing a boiler costs £1,200-£4,000.

Gas Leak Investigation

A standard call-out for a heating engineer to investigate a gas leak is £60-£90. However, an emergency, out-of-hours attendance often costs £150 or more depending on the circumstances and location. A full diagnostic examination may cost in excess of £500.

Flue Repairs

Repairs to a boiler flue or gas fire flue can cost between £200 and £2,500, depending on the extent of the work, materials needed and location of the property. Access issues can also push up costs.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide alarms can be purchased for between £15-£40. Battery models can be installed as a DIY task while hard-wired alarms may cost between £100-£200 to fit. Carbon monoxide alarm requirements vary across the UK, so landlords should check the rules that apply in the nation where the property is located.

Additional Appliance Checks

In addition to annual servicing and gas safety checks, gas appliances need regular maintenance to keep them operating safely and efficiently. Carbon monoxide alarms can be tested by the occupants on a monthly basis.

Emergency Call-outs

The cost of an emergency call-out varies depending on the time of day, whether it’s a weekend or public holiday and the fees charged by heating engineers and companies for this service. Typical rates are £100-£200 for the fee, excluding any repair costs.

How Often Do Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate?

The current gas safety check requirements for landlords mean that an inspection must be done yearly. A new inspection can be done any time from 10-12 months following the last gas safety check.

Renewing the check at 10-11 months rather than a full year doesn’t affect the expiry date of the previous Landlord Gas Safety Record. However, if the newly completed check is done less than 10 months after the previous inspection, a new expiry deadline applies.

A copy of the Landlord Gas Safety Record must be provided to the current tenants within 28 days of the check. New tenants must be given the gas safety certificate at the start of the tenancy.

Landlords with rental properties of fewer than 28 days' let must ensure that a copy of the gas safety record is displayed clearly within the property. They must also retain copies of the inspection certificate until two further safety checks have been carried out.

Gas appliances owned by the tenant are not the direct responsibility of the landlord. However, connecting flues must be safety checked unless they are connected solely to the tenant’s appliance.

Do Homeowners Need a Gas Safety Certificate?

While landlords are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety check, owner-occupiers do not have the same obligation under the law.

Nevertheless, a yearly inspection is recommended for any gas appliance. It can be done in conjunction with a boiler service or as a separate inspection for gas fires, water heaters and hobs to ensure they are working correctly and are safe to use.

Gas safety certificates are not necessary as part of the conveyancing process; however, records of the inspections can provide peace of mind for potential future buyers.

Gas Safety Certificate vs Boiler Service

Many homeowners, whether landlords or owner-occupiers, may not fully appreciate the difference between a gas safety certificate and a boiler service.

Gas Safety Certificate

The purpose of a Landlord Gas Safety Record is to confirm that the gas appliances and flues covered by the landlord's legal responsibilities have received the required safety checks.

A gas safety check assesses the safety of the relevant appliances and flues, including ventilation and safety devices where applicable. It is not the same as a full boiler service.

Gas safety certificates cost on average £60-£90.

Gas Boiler Service

The purpose of a boiler service is to maintain its performance and efficiency as well as prevent future breakdowns. It’s not a legal requirement, but an annual service is important for maintaining the validity of the boiler warranty.

During a boiler service, the engineer checks the appliance in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. This may include examining internal components, checking combustion and flue performance, and cleaning parts where necessary.

The average price for a boiler service is £100.

A gas safety inspection can be combined with an annual boiler service as the two have a lot of overlap. Having both done during one visit by a heating engineer also reduces the cost, with an average combined price of £85-£140.

It should be understood that having a Landlord Gas Safety Record is not the same as having a full boiler service.

What Happens If an Appliance Fails a Gas Safety Check?

If an appliance or installation fails a gas safety check, it means the Gas Safe registered engineer has found a fault that is hazardous. In these instances, the engineer applies the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure, which allows them to identify, risk-assess and rectify unsafe gas installations.

The fault may be classified as At Risk, which means the appliance has issues that may become dangerous if it remains in use. The engineer typically advises against using the appliance until it has been repaired.

The other designation is Immediately Dangerous, which indicates that there is a current risk to life or property. In these cases, the engineer typically disconnects the appliance to prevent its use until the problem is resolved.

Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can deal with a gas appliance or installation fault.

Can I Do a Gas Safety Check Myself?

No, a landlord cannot carry out a gas safety check themselves. The Landlord Gas Safety Record is a legal obligation and must be properly carried out by an appropriately registered Gas Safe registered engineer.

Similarly, the gas safety certificate must be issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer. In addition, working with gas is extremely dangerous for those who are not registered and competent to do so.

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