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New Gas Safety Register

Gas Appliances and Safety

From 1st April 2009 a new gas registration scheme started in Great Britain, delivered under an agreement with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 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 private landlords, local authorities, housing associations, housing co-operatives, and hostels.

The new scheme, Gas Safe Register™ replaces the CORGI gas register which ends on 31st March. All landlords are still legally required to have an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues provided in a rental property. However, as from 1st April 2009 a Gas Safe registered engineer, not a CORGI installer, must carry out the safety check.

Gas Safety Certificate
The 'Landlord Gas Safety Record' is often referred to as a 'Gas Safety Certificate' or 'CP12' form. This style of certificate may still be used, even if it bears the CORGI logo or the word CORGI. There is no requirement for new paperwork. The important change is that from 1st April 2009 is to have a check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

It should not cost landlords any more to get appliances checked and maintained under the new scheme; the cost of registration is only a small element of the bill paid. As a minimum, the record of a gas safety check must contain the following information:

  • a description of and the location of each appliance or flue checked
  • the name, registration number and signature of the individual carrying out the check
  • the date on which the appliance or flue was checked
  • the address of the property at which the appliance or flue is installed
  • >the name and address of the landlord (or his agent where appropriate)
  • any defect identified and any remedial action taken
  • a statement confirming that the safety check completed complies with the requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

    All existing gas safety records will be valid until their expiry date, even if that date is later than 1st April 2009). However, any gas safety record provided after 1st April 2009 will only be valid if the engineer is on the Gas Safe Register.

    Letting or managing agents
    The letting or management contract must clearly specify who is to make arrangements for maintenance and safety checks on gas equipment and for keeping associated records. Where specified by the contract, gas appliances and flues should be are serviced at least once every 12 months or at any other time if there is a safety doubt.

    Always check the ID card
    Whatever the letting arrangement, the engineer's ID card (and details of the type of work that an engineer is registered to carry out) should be checked before they begin work on any gas appliances. From 1st April, 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. A photo of the engineer with details explaining whether they are qualified to do the job can be sent to mobile phones.

    No DIY
    Landlords or tenants should never try to to install or repair a gas appliance, as this is very dangerous and in contravention of the law.

     

    East Midlands DASH (Decent and Safe Homes)