Gas Safe Register replaces CORGI
Posted on 05/03/2009
On 1 April 2009, the new Gas Safe RegisterTM replaces the CORGI gas registration scheme as Great Britain’s gas safety authority.
Gas safety in Great Britain is changing. CORGI gas registration ends in Great Britain on 31 March and will no longer apply to gas safety law. From 1 April, all gas engineers must be on the new Gas Safe Register™ to carry out gas work lawfully.
The requirement for annual maintenance and safety checks on gas appliances hasn't changed but landlords should make sure from 1 April these are carried out by a Gas Safe Register engineer.
By law landlords must make sure:
• pipe work, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition
• that all appliances and flues that you provide for tenants use have an annual safety check
• that maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by an engineer registered with Gas Safe Register
• all gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting
• a record of safety checks is provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check or to any new tenant before they move in
• they keep a copy of the safety check record for two years
• pipe work, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition
• that all appliances and flues that you provide for tenants use have an annual safety check
• that maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by an engineer registered with Gas Safe Register
• all gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting
• a record of safety checks is provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check or to any new tenant before they move in
• they keep a copy of the safety check record for two years
From 1 April you can find or check a Gas Safe Register engineer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500. You can even get a photo of the engineer with details that tell you if they’re qualified to do the job sent to your mobile phone for added peace of mind. Remember to check the engineer’s ID and encourage your tenants to do the same.
Landlords should provide tenants with a record of safety checks. This is often done using a ‘Landlord Gas Safety Record’, 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 no requirement for new paperwork. The important thing is to have a check carried out and to make sure the tenant receives a record of the check within 28 days.
Gas Safe Register will run a national public awareness campaign starting in February 2009. From April, the Gas Safe Register website will carry a wealth of gas safety information too.
Remember before April installers must remain registered with CORGI to carry out gas work legally. From 1 April, always use a Gas Safe Register engineer. Be gas safe. For more information go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk