Gas Safety Certificate?

Drea

I just phoned my LA to find out about which companies I am with for gas and electricity (they don't know so that was helpful). While I was on the phone I asked about my gas safety certificate because I still haven't received a copy of it. I've been in the property now for a month.

I heard it was against the law for me not to have a copy of it? Am I wrong? This is how the conversation went.

Me: I was also wondering about the gas safety certificate, I've never had a copy of it.
LA: It is in our new office filed away. Everything was fine, it passed the check.
Me: Should I not have a copy? I thought it was against the law for me not to.
LA: Don't start quoting the law to me, I have been in this business for years. It is not a priority that we send out the certificate to you so we will do it when nothing else needs doing.
Me: (absolutely fuming) Great, I'll expect it soon then.

But from past experience with this lot, I'm pretty sure I'm never going to see the thing.

Should I actually have a copy or is it ok if as long as the check has been done?

Thanks for any help.

Gingernutmeg

I always thought the the forms came in triplicate so that a copy could be given to the tenant. Not that I'm cynical about LAs or anything ... but if I didn't have a copy of the certificate then I'd doubt that the check had been done. Personally I'd want a copy and I thought that the regulations stated that you had to be given one.

Drea

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

I always thought the the forms came in triplicate so that a copy could be given to the tenant. Not that I'm cynical about LAs or anything ... but if I didn't have a copy of the certificate then I'd doubt that the check had been done. Personally I'd want a copy and I thought that the regulations stated that you had to be given one.

The check was definetly done, it was done when I was in the property. I phoned up to arrange the time for it, etc. Honestly, this LA can't seem to do anything :rolleyes: I'm losing the plot with them!

N79

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

I always thought the the forms came in triplicate so that a copy could be given to the tenant. Not that I'm cynical about LAs or anything ... but if I didn't have a copy of the certificate then I'd doubt that the check had been done. Personally I'd want a copy and I thought that the regulations stated that you had to be given one.

Technically correct but Ts often lose / throw away the T copy of the certificate. If the house is subsequently relet during the period of the certificate then there is no copy for the T.

poppysarah

It may have been done and not passed.

Put it in writing requesting a copy.

tbs624

This type of LA deserves to be driven out of business. You are *entitled* to know that the gas checks have been done properly and to see that certificate.

No matter how many years he has been in the business he does not have an option on this one, he really doesn't. The LA is an absolute fool: he either does *not *know the law or knows it and is happy to flout it.

It is a legal requirement that you (a) see a copy of the certificate before you sign the contract or (b) that there is a copy at the property. The LL has to arrange an annual gas safety check and has to keep copies of the previous 2 years certificates. When the cert is issued there is a LL copy and a T copy. the check & the cert have to be dealt with only by a CORGI reg gas fitter/plumber.

Here is what you need for info : http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg285.pdf

If he still refuses then report him to the HSE and to the Env Health Officer ( & the Tenancy Relations Offcier ) at your local Council. He is committing a criminal offence and can be taken to the Mags Court & fined several thousand quid.

Get yourself an audible carbon monoxide alarm (tenner from B&Q) in the meantime but don't let him get away with this one. The tenancy relations officer can liaise with the LL if necessary.

tbs624

N79 wrote: »

Technically correct but Ts often lose / throw away the T copy of the certificate. If the house is subsequently relet during the period of the certificate then there is no copy for the T.

:rolleyes: Sorry N79 - yes, that happens but anyone letting property is personally responsible for ensuring that a copy is there on the premises for the current tenant.

Professional LLs have a folder that all this sort of stuff goes into and checking that out is part of the rounds when re-letting. Even a 10 year old could sort that one out.

If the LA can't sort simple paperwork then there's probably not much hope that he can manage much else.

Drea

tbs624 wrote: »

If the LA can't sort simple paperwork then there's probably not much hope that he can manage much else.

I'll second that one

Thanks tbs, you always come to the rescue :rotfl:

Is the law the same in Scotland do you know? Don't want to be mentioning the law if I'm totally wrong

tbs624

Drea wrote: »

........Is the law the same in Scotland do you know? Don't want to be mentioning the law if I'm totally wrong

Yes, it is the same for Scotland -

If you have repairing issues you can also make use of the new regs that came in on 3 Sept 2007 under the "Repairing Standard" - Housing ( Scotland ) Act 2006- which extends the existing statutory and contractual obligations of all private landlords.

Drea- is this LA registered with the local Council? (that's another Scottish legal requirement for LAs/LLs)

elkay115

tbs - we checked the site you gave us before to check if he or the LL were registered. Drea thought that because her address was shown so thought they were registered, but am I correct in thinking that all addresses would show up but would need to have either the LL or LA names next to them to show they are registered?

Drea can't get on MSE just now so I'm her middle (wo)man.

Drea

elkay115 wrote: »

tbs - we checked the site you gave us before to check if he or the LL were registered. Drea thought that because her address was shown so thought they were registered, but am I correct in thinking that all addresses would show up but would need to have either the LL or LA names next to them to show they are registered?

Drea can't get on MSE just now so I'm her middle (wo)man.

MSE broke for me, but yea, what she said