Gas Safety Week: An Essential Guide to Keeping Your Home Safe
As Gas Safety Week celebrates its twelfth consecutive year, the rising cost of living has many of us focusing on budgeting. However, with winter fast approaching, it’s crucial to ensure your family stays warm and safe by checking that your gas appliances are working correctly and meet UK installation and use regulations.
At RARE Plumbing London, all of our engineers are fully Gas Safe registered. We’ve created this essential guide to help you understand why a gas safety check is so important, how to confirm your property has the right paperwork, and what to do if you ever smell gas in your home.
Why Regular Inspections of Gas Appliances Are Crucial
Gas Safety Week highlights the importance of regular annual gas safety checks. Poorly installed or faulty appliances can lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions, and even carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
- CO is a deadly gas that can’t be seen, smelled, tasted, or touched.
- In England and Wales alone, around 200 people are hospitalised each year due to CO poisoning.
This is why the Gas Safe Register initiative exists — to protect families and ensure only registered engineers work on appliances connected to the gas supply.
What Is the Gas Safe Register?
The Gas Safe Register is the UK’s only official gas qualification regulatory body. By law, all businesses offering gas services must be registered to ensure their engineers meet strict safety standards.
- Engineers carry official ID cards issued by the Gas Safe Register. Always ask to see them before allowing work in your home.
- Replacing the old CORGI scheme, the Register checks businesses and engineers regularly to keep the public safe.
Top Tip: Always check that your engineer is on the Register before allowing them to service your boiler or issue a Gas Safety record.
Is Gas Safe Registration a Legal Requirement?
Yes. By law, all gas businesses and engineers must be Gas Safe registered to legally work on gas appliances.
- Homeowners are not required to have a Gas Safety certificate unless renting out their property.
- Landlords of rental properties and all commercial premises are required to have an annual gas safety check and provide tenants with a gas safety record.
How to Check if Your Property Has a Gas Safety Certificate
- Ask your developer for documentation if you live in a new build.
- Check directly with the Gas Safe Register if you’re unsure.
- Ensure paperwork is up to date, especially if your home relies heavily on gas for heating, cooking, or hot water.
Keeping copies of your certificates on file is essential — not only for peace of mind, but also because not having one can invalidate your home or landlord insurance.
Can You Sell a House Without a Gas Safety Certificate?
While it’s not legally required to provide a certificate when selling, doing so reassures buyers. However, you are required to provide a building regulations compliance certificate to prove your property meets UK standards.
Penalties for Not Having a Gas Safety Certificate
For landlords and commercial property owners, failing to comply can result in:
- Fines starting at £6,000 per appliance
- Up to six months’ imprisonment
- Invalidation of property insurance
Conclusion
Ensuring your home or rental property is Gas Safe is essential for protecting your family, tenants, and investments. At RARE Plumbing London, our Gas Safe registered engineers provide full safety checks and certificates for every job, ensuring compliance with installation and use regulations.
📞 If you need an annual gas safety check or suspect a problem with your gas supply, contact us immediately. If you ever smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 right away — and then let our experts put things right.
Ensuring your home or commercial property is Gas Safe is essential for the safety of you and your family. At Rare Plumbing London, all our gas and heating engineers are registered with the Gas Safe Register and provide certificates for every job, giving you peace of mind.
If you need a Gas Safe engineer for your autumn check-up, contact us today or fill out our online contact form to schedule.
