Changes in gas safety regulation

A big change for gas safety

There is a new gas registration body in Great Britain and the Isle of Man. This new stamp for gas safety, Gas Safe Register™, is delivered under an agreement with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and replaces the CORGI gas register, which ended on 31 March.
In relation to domestic gas under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords’ legal duties apply to a wide range of accommodation, including residential premises provided for rent by local authorities, housing associations, housing co-operatives, and hostels.

It remains a legal requirement for these organisations to have an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues provided in a rental property. However, since 1 April 2009 a Gas Safe registered engineer, not a CORGI installer, must carry out the safety check.

If you let any properties of this kind, you must now make sure that pipe work, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition and subject to an annual safety check carried out only by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
All gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) must be certified as safe or otherwise removed before re-letting. A record of safety checks must be provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check, or to each new tenant before they move in. The landlord must also keep a copy of the safety check record for two years.

Gas Safety Certificate

The ‘Landlord Gas Safety Record’ is often referred to as a ‘Gas Safety Certificate’ or ‘CP12’ form. It is quite acceptable to continue to use this style of certificate – even if it has a CORGI logo or the word CORGI on it. There is currently no legal requirement for new paperwork. The important change is to have the check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
All existing gas safety records will be valid until their expiry date (even if that date is later than 1st April 2009). Any gas safety record given to you after 1st April 2009 will only be valid if the engineer is on the Gas Safe Register. There is no dual running of the schemes.

Always ask for the card

All Gas Safe registered engineers have an ID card with their license number and a photograph. Please ask to see the card before allowing the engineer to undertake gas work in the property and encourage your tenants to do the same.
The license number is easily verified on the website or by phone and we will get back to you with confirmation of the engineer’s name.
Anyone can find or check a Gas Safe registered engineer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

If letting or managing agents are involved

You must make sure that the letting or management contract clearly specifies who is to make arrangements for maintenance and safety checks on gas equipment and for keeping associated records. Where specified by the contract, make sure gas appliances and flues are serviced at least once every 12 months or at any other time if there is a safety doubt, and always by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Refused entry

Have you had problems with engineers being refused entry by tenants and subsequent failure for safety checks to take place? Please encourage your tenants to let the Gas Safe registered engineer into the property to do necessary work upon presentation of the ID card.

To help you explain the situation to your tenants, you can download free leaflets from our website www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or email ‘Consumer Leaflet Request’ to marketing@GasSafeRegister.co.uk

Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm

Carbon monoxide is produced by faulty gas appliances and it can be deadly. It is poisonous but has no odour or visibility, so an audible carbon monoxide alarm is the only way to detect harmful levels in the property.

There is no substitute for annual safety checks carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, but for the added safety of tenants we strongly recommend landlords fit a CE-approved audible carbon monoxide alarm in every property and test it monthly.

If your tenants report that they smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, instruct them to turn of the gas at the meter, extinguish naked flames, open windows and leave the area. If they are suffering from headaches, nausea, chest pains or dizziness, tell them to seek medical attention.

The National Gas Emergency Service can be reached on 0800 111 999. Please share this emergency contact number with your tenants.

No to DIY

Neither you nor your tenants should ever attempt to install or repair a gas appliance. Only ever use a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out gas work in the property.

If you suspect a gas appliance isn't working correctly, turn it off and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer for advice - visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500 to find one.

Jeff Learman
Gas Safe Register