A gas safety certificate — formally a Gas Safety Record, and sometimes called a CP12 after the old British Gas form number — is a document certifying that all gas appliances, fittings, and flues at a property have been checked and found safe by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
For Devon landlords, it is a legal requirement. For homeowners, it is not — but the annual check that produces it is one of the most important safety activities you can carry out on a gas-heated property.
Who Is Legally Required to Have a Gas Safety Certificate?
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords of residential properties with gas appliances are required by law to:
- Have all gas appliances, flues, and pipework checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Provide the tenant with a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of the check being completed
- Keep records of each gas safety check for at least two years
- Give new tenants a copy of the most recent gas safety record before they move in
This applies to all rental properties in Devon — private rented sector, HMOs, and student lets. Non-compliance can result in a fine of up to £6,000 per appliance, prohibition of gas use at the property, or in serious cases prosecution.
Homeowners are not legally required to have an annual gas safety check — but most boiler manufacturers require annual servicing to maintain warranty, and gas safety checks identify hazards (carbon monoxide leaks, flue failures) that are otherwise invisible.
What Does a Gas Safety Check Cover?
A Gas Safe registered engineer carries out the following on each applicable appliance:
- Appliance checks:
- Checks the appliance is operating at the correct gas pressure
- Inspects the burner and combustion process
- Tests the flue and ventilation for correct function
- Tests safety devices (thermostats, overheat protection, flame failure devices)
- Checks for gas tightness — no leaks from fittings, valves, or connections
- Flue checks:
- Visual inspection of the flue route and terminal
- Flue integrity and spillage test where applicable
- Confirmation of flue termination position
The check produces a Gas Safety Record showing each appliance checked, any defects found (classified as Immediately Dangerous, At Risk, or Advisory), and any actions taken.
Gas Safety Certificate vs Boiler Service: What Is the Difference?
| Aspect | Gas Safety Check | Boiler Service |
|---|---|---|
| Legal requirement for landlords | Yes | Not specifically, but advisable |
| What it checks | Safety of all gas appliances and flues | Condition and performance of the boiler only |
| Combustion analysis | Sometimes | Yes (full flue gas analysis) |
| Cleaning and servicing | No | Yes |
| Heat exchanger inspection | No | Yes |
| Output | Gas Safety Record (legal document) | Service record (warranty document) |
| Duration | 30–60 minutes | 60–90 minutes |
For Devon landlords, the safest and most cost-effective approach is to have both carried out at the same visit. Many Gas Safe engineers offer a combined boiler service and gas safety check for £90–£140.
Gas Safety Certificate Costs in Devon
| Type | Typical cost (Devon, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Gas safety check only (1 appliance) | £60–£90 |
| Gas safety check (2–3 appliances: boiler + cooker + fire) | £80–£120 |
| Combined boiler service + gas safety check | £90–£140 |
| Gas safety check for HMO (4+ rooms) | £100–£180 |
What Happens If a Gas Appliance Fails the Safety Check?
Immediately Dangerous (ID). The appliance presents an immediate risk to life. The engineer is required to disconnect the appliance and issue a warning notice. It cannot be used until the fault is repaired and retested.
At Risk (AR). A fault exists that may become dangerous. The engineer advises the consumer of the risk and recommends repair before continued use.
Advisory Notice. Not a safety fault but a maintenance item that should be attended to.
For Devon landlords, an ID or AR finding triggers an obligation to repair the appliance before it can be reinstated in the property.
Oil Boilers and Gas Safety Certificates — What Devon Rural Homeowners Need to Know
Gas safety certificates apply only to gas appliances. Devon properties heated by oil — which represents a significant share of rural Devon housing stock across Tavistock, Okehampton, and the Launceston hinterlands — do not require a gas safety certificate because there is no gas appliance.
Instead, oil-heated properties should have an OFTEC service record (CT2 certificate), produced annually by an OFTEC-registered engineer. While this is not a legal requirement for owner-occupiers, landlords of oil-heated properties should obtain one as evidence of appropriate maintenance and compliance under Part J of the Building Regulations.
Devon Landlord Compliance: Practical Notes
Common compliance gaps in Devon's older housing stock:
- Flue routes through Victorian chimney stacks — annual checking of the flue route and terminal is particularly important where original chimneys are used
- Back boilers fitted behind gas fires — less common now but still present in some Devon properties; these require full safety checks and are often nearing end of life
- LPG appliances — LPG falls within the Gas Safe framework. Devon rural properties on LPG require annual gas safety checks exactly as mains gas properties do
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a gas safety certificate cover the boiler service? No. A gas safety check confirms the boiler is safe to operate. A boiler service additionally cleans, adjusts, and inspects the boiler's internal components. Both should be carried out annually — ideally at the same visit.
How long does a gas safety check take? 30–60 minutes for a property with one gas appliance (boiler only). Add 20–30 minutes per additional appliance (gas cooker, gas fire).
What happens if I rent out a property without a gas safety certificate? Non-compliance with the Gas Safety Regulations is a criminal offence. Penalties include fines up to £6,000 per non-compliant appliance and prohibition of gas use at the property.
Can I use any heating engineer for a gas safety check? No. The check must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Verify registration at the Gas Safe Register website before booking.
Our boiler service team carries out combined boiler service and gas safety checks across the Tavistock area, including Okehampton, Launceston, and Yelverton. For boiler repairs identified during a gas safety check, our engineers carry common replacement parts on the van. See also our guide to boiler service costs in Devon 2026.