frequently asked questions

General

When did Gas Safe Register start running the gas registration scheme?

Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the gas registration body in Great Britain and Isle of Man on 1 April 2009 and Northern Ireland and Guernsey on 1 April 2010.

Why did the CORGI registration scheme end?

A review was undertaken in 2006 by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) which concluded that there was a strong case for modernising the gas registration scheme to bring added benefits to gas consumers and gas engineers. Particular areas for improvements included:

A clearer focus needed on gas safety
The need to simplify the registration and competence requirements for gas engineers without compromising safety or service standards

As a result a tender process was conducted resulting in the creation of Gas Safe Register and the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the mandatory gas register moving from CORGI.

How do I find a Gas Safe registered engineer?

You can find a Gas Safe registered engineer by calling 0800 408 5500 and speaking to an advisor or by searching online.

What is the difference between the business registration number and the engineers licence card number?

When a business becomes Gas Safe registered they get a Gas Safe registration number. This is a number unique to their business. A business may have a number of engineers working for them. Every individual gas engineer is also given their own Gas Safe Register ID card which has on it a unique seven digit licence card number. You can check a business is registered using the registration number and an individual engineer is registered using the licence card number.

How can I check a business is registered?

You can check a business is registered by calling 0800 408 5500 or by checking online. If checking online you will need to select CHECK A BUSINESS and enter the businesses registration number.

Alternatively to check whether a business is registered simply text Gas then the business registration number to 85080. You will receive a text message advising if the registration number is registered. Please note: Your provider may charge a standard network charge to use this text service.

Remember to also check your engineers Gas Safe ID card to make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing.

How can I check whether a gas engineer has a valid ID?

You must always check the ID card of an engineer and if you are a landlord or letting agent, you must encourage your tenant to do the same. You can confirm that the engineer is registered by calling 0800 408 5500 or by checking online. If checking online you will need to select CHECK A GAS ENGINEER and enter the engineers seven digit licence card number.

Alternatively to check an engineer simply text Gas then the engineer licence card number to 85080. You will receive a text message confirming if the licence card number is registered. Please note: Your provider may charge a standard network charge to use this text service.

Remember to also check your engineers Gas Safe ID card to make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing.

Can all gas engineers work on all types of gas appliances?

No. Gas engineers will often have a range of qualifications that allow them to carry out specific types of gas work. It’s important to check what work they are qualified to do before you use them. Engineers will have different qualifications including:

Domestic and non-domestic
LPG and natural gas
Different areas of gas work e.g. boilers, cookers, fire etc

You can find out what an engineer is qualified to do using our check an engineer service and by looking on the back of their Gas Safe ID card.

How do I make a complaint?

If you have a complaint about work carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer please give us the details and we will investigate. Please call Customer Services on 0800 408 5500 or complete the complaint form online.

If you have a complaint about an engineer dating back to when CORGI was the registration scheme please complete the form in the same way.

If you have a complaint about Gas Safe Register please call us on 0800 408 5500 or email enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk.

How do I report someone working illegally?

If you suspect someone is working on gas without a valid Gas Safe registration please give us the details and we will investigate. Please call Customer Services on 0800 408 5500 or complete the report an illegal gas worker form online.

Can Gas Safe Register check the gas work that I have had done?

We inspect gas work to ensure that registered businesses continue to work in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and industry standards. To help us do this, we ask customers if we can undertake a free gas safety inspection on completed gas work in their home. If you have had gas work done in the last six months and would like us to consider it for inspection please contact us on 0800 408 5500 or complete the safety inspections form online.

Building Regulations

How long does a business have to notify my installation?

The Building Regulations state that the Local Authority must be notified within 30 working days of a new heat producing appliance (e.g. boiler, fire) and their associated heating/hot water systems being fitted and commissioned. Find out more information on Building Regulations.

What if my engineer does not notify my appliance after installation?

If an engineer does not notify your appliance after installation and it is of a type that the Local Authority needs to know about under the Building Regulations requirement you should contact your engineer and instruct them to notify it immediately. If necessary seek advice from your Local Authority Building Control Department or Citizens Advice Consumer Services. Find out more information on Building Regulations.

I haven’t received my Building Regulations certificate, what should I do?

If you have not received your certificate call our Customer Services on 0800 408 5500 and we will check if your engineer has notified the installation. If they haven’t you will need to contact your engineer to ask them to notify the work to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations requirement. Find out more information on Building Regulations.

Can I request a duplicate Building Regulations certificate and is there a charge?

If you damage or lose your certificate a duplicate one can be provided, however there will be a charge. To request a duplicate certificate please call our Customer Services on 0800 408 5500. Find out more information on Building Regulations.

Can a solicitor request a copy of the Building Regulations certificate?

Yes, a solicitor can request a copy of the Building Regulations certificate, however there will be a charge. To request a duplicate certificate please call our Customer Services on 0800 408 5500. Find out more information on Building Regulations.

Landlords and letting agents

What are the requirements for landlords?

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 are provided for tenants use have a gas safety check every 12 months
that maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by an business/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
they provide a record of safety checks 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

Advice on landlords duties are contained in HSE's guidance to landlords and letting agents found on the HSE website.

Do I need to get a safety check carried out on gas appliances in my properties?

Yes. It is a legal requirement for you to have an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that you provide in a rental property. This must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

How can I check whether an engineer is qualified to carry out a gas safety check?

Details of the type of work that an engineer is registered to carry out can be found using our check an engineer service online or by calling us on 0800 408 5500. All engineers registered with Gas Safe Register must carry an ID card that shows the type of work they are registered to do. We strongly advise you to check the engineer’s ID card before they begin work on your gas appliances.

Do I need to provide my tenants with a record of safety checks?

Yes. You must provide your tenant with a record of safety checks completed within 28 days of the check and you must keep a copy for two years. A common method of providing a record of safety checks is using a ‘Landlord Gas Safety Record’. These are sometimes referred to as a ‘Gas Safety Certificate’ or ‘CP12’ form. A full check must be completed and a record of the check must be provided to the tenant within 28 days.

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 (GB and Isle of Man) and Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 2004 (Northern Ireland)

Our landlord’s page contains further information regarding the responsibility of the landlord and the landlord’s gas safety record.

My safety check record does not display the Gas Safe Register logo, is it still valid?

Yes, a record or certificate of a gas safety check is valid for 12 months, from the date of issue providing it has been issued by a Gas Safe registered business. If the record is to be used as a Landlords Gas Safety Record, it should contain as a minimum:

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 (GB and Isle of Man) and Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 2004 (Northern Ireland)

I’m a Letting Agent. What are my legal requirements?

By law, you must:

make sure that the management contract clearly specifies who is responsible for making arrangements for maintenance and safety checks on gas equipment and for keeping associated records
where specified by the management 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
make sure that maintenance and safety checks on gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants use are only carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.