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Safety Certificates (Gas, Electric, EPC)
What certificates your landlord must provide. Gas safety, EICR, EPC, and smoke alarms explained.
10 min readLast updated: 15 January 2025
Your landlord must provide several safety certificates before and during your tenancy. Missing certificates can invalidate eviction notices and result in fines for your landlord.
Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
- Annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- You must receive a copy within 28 days of the check
- New tenants must get it before they move in
- Check the engineer's Gas Safe ID number is valid
Electrical Safety Certificate (EICR)
- Inspection every 5 years by a qualified electrician
- Must be provided before moving in
- Any urgent work (C1/C2) must be fixed within 28 days
- Required since July 2020 for new tenancies
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Shows the property's energy efficiency rating (A-G)
- Minimum rating of E required to let a property
- Must be provided before you sign the tenancy
- Valid for 10 years
Other Safety Requirements
- Smoke alarms on every floor
- Carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with solid fuel or gas appliances
- Furniture must meet fire safety regulations
- All appliances provided must be safe
Missing safety certificates can block Section 21 eviction. If your landlord is trying to evict you and hasn't provided these, get advice.
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