The reality of CORGI/Gas SAFE

antony_

Hi
I'm buying a house and was surprised to find that there don't seem many consequences of getting someone to fit a boiler illegally (yes, death is clearly the main one, lets leave that as said)

Assume someone who was gas safe registered a year ago today isn't and fitted a new boiler for you, you know the guy, you now want to sell the house, what's the reality of what will happen?
(1) You offer an Indemnity policy and get the boiler inspected. Buyers accept this.
(2) ?

What can actually happen? He could get prosecuted but chances are he's moved on and no one will bother to do it
Can you get prosecuted?

This is -totally- hypothetical (yeah right, no really!) b.t.w. I'm asking because I expected there to be actual consequences and there don't appear to be any, it also seems to be common place which I found surprising. Also because I've found it difficult to find information on this

I'll quickly point out that I'd use someone registered anyway, the peace of mind would easily outweigh any other benefits.

thanks

lemontart

why do you ask - is there a problem with the boiler? have you had to call out the gas emergency service?

If you have concerns you should get qualified engineer to look at it or arrange to have a gas safety certificate survey done


http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk

and yes there are legal consequences if something goes wrong

antony_

This is totally hypothetical, I ask because all I've found is topics where someone says you -must- get a corgi guy to do it but not seen anything about consequences, even if the guy who fits the boiler gets a £5000 fine that doesn't affect the home owner. I expected the law to be a little more strict.
What are the consequences to the home owner?

Feel I need to say this again: I won't be doing this, I don't recommend this, I just can't find any evidence that's there's anything to stop anyone else doing this which is a bit odd, surely there must be?

mynameisdave

I may be wrong but I cant imagine any insurer giving indemnitypolicies knowing that the boiler was fitted by an unqualified engineer.

antony_

From a similar thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/21596405#Comment_21596405

"The indemnity policy is not for the boiler itself but for the lack of building regs (which are also required) and the policy should cost about £50 plus VAT."

pararct

The main consequence is death either from an unsafe installation and a gas explosion from escape or Carbon monoxide poisoning for where there is an exhaust gases leak.

In the case of a landlord the feds would want to see the annual safety certification for the equipment. In the absence of this certification then any charge up to and including manslaughter can be laid against the landlord.

The law is less clear on culpability from domestic installations as they do not have to be annually certified. I would however hazard a guess prosecution would be considered if they could pin something on a 'competent person' and negligence has caused the accident.

In the case of a industrial or business installation there will be a 'competent person' appointed as per the Heath and Safety policy. It will be this persons responsibility to ensure installations and appliances are kept serviced. Probably the best way to achieve this would be an annual certification exercise although I am unsure if the law demands such in these circumstances as it does with landlords. Of course business premises which are let will have a landlord who will be subject to the regulation.

If you are asking the question on the basis your mate (who is/was qualified) can install a system cheaper for you then go right ahead.
Once he has done this get a registered firm round asap to certify the installation.

It is the certification which is important as this says the system is safe at the time it was checked. There is nothing to stop domestic installations being annually checked and certificated for peace of mind, it is simply not in the law to do so.

clutton_2

""Once he has done this get a registered firm round asap to certify the installation. ""

i have been working with CORGI-GASSAFE gas engineers for 11 years now and not ONE i have met would EVER agree to sign off an installation done by someone else.. that signature says that they are fully and legally responsible for aLL of the installation whether they installed it or not

A Gas engineer would be putting his neck on the line if he did so.... and he would have his licesne to trade withdrawn if he were prosecuted...

tbs624

You could use an 81 year old plumber like this one http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2010/coi-e-27.htm. He ended up with a suspended prison sentence

tbs624

I would like to see home-owners who knowingly use a non-gas safe registered heating engineer prosecuted, in the same way that LLs are open to prosecution. Unfortunately the damage and injury potential from a poorly fitted boiler are likely to affect more than just the idiot who agrees to cut corners by having "bob who fiddles with boilers a bit" in to do the job.


Construction firm owner used a sewage pipe and a washing machine vent hose to extend the boiler outlet at this property

pararct

clutton wrote: »

""Once he has done this get a registered firm round asap to certify the installation. ""

i have been working with CORGI-GASSAFE gas engineers for 11 years now and not ONE i have met would EVER agree to sign off an installation done by someone else.. that signature says that they are fully and legally responsible for aLL of the installation whether they installed it or not

A Gas engineer would be putting his neck on the line if he did so.... and he would have his licesne to trade withdrawn if he were prosecuted...

How then do you/they do annual certifications these are surely fitted by other persons/firms?

duncan303

the op poses an interesting point,

the actual statutory provision states "competent person"

now consider this
a previously corgi registered engineer <deemed to be competent, no time limit> who allows his registration to lapse <by choice, not removal> installs his own system in his own property <fully legal>that he then chooses to place property on the market.

?
..