Gas Safe Register appear to be advising on their helpline that a landlord is obliged to obtain a new gas safety certificate every time a tenancy is entered into, notwithstanding any current gas safety certificate that is in place. This is not the position.
The Landlord (or the Agent if it forms part of the terms of business) is required to arrange the annual preparation of a gas safety certificate and ensure that throughout any tenancy a valid gas safety certificate is in place at all times.
An annual gas safety check must be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. A record of the safety check must be kept for 2 years. A copy of the certificate must be issued to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed, and in any event before the commencement of a tenancy.
This is consistent with the advice as given on the Gas Safe Register website.
The relevant legislation can be read here.
Filed under: Uncategorized , gas safety, regulations
Boarding my train to London this morning I saw a poster campaign for the new Gas Safe Register. The successor to the old CORGI Landlords Gas Safety Certificate regime. While it is good to see promotion of gas safety, landlords and agents should make sure they are familiar with the new system and ensure that all their contractors are properly registered.
Filed under: Uncategorized , gas safety, regulations
25 February, 2009 • 23:52
From 1 April 2009 CORGI will no longer be the official gas safety regulation body. The role will be taken over by the Gas Safe Register which is operated by Capita.
This has occurred because CORGI’s contract with the HSE came to an end and, while they tendered for a renewed contract, they were beaten by Capita who have promised a gradual reduction in the cost to gas engineers as well as an aggressive public awareness campaign.
From 1 April engineers must be registered with the Gas Safe Register to carry out work. Old CORGI registrations will not be valid. Engineers have had since January of this year to sign up with the new scheme so there will be no grace period.
From a landlord or agents point of view it is important to check that gas engineers that have previously been used are registered with the new scheme. All members will have ID cards and they can be checked either on the register website or by telephoning 0800 408 5500.
Current landlords gas safety certificates issued by CORGI engineers will remain valid, even if they expire after 1 April 2009 but on expiry they will have to be replaced by certificates conforming to the new scheme. After 1 April any certificate produced by an engineer not registered with the new scheme will not be valid.
A leaflet is available giving more information which also includes a picture of the new ID card.
The responsibilities and penalties as regards failing to have a valid certificate remain unchanged.
Filed under: Uncategorized , gas safety, regulations
