Renting a room: If the landlord doesnt have a gas certificate,can I call British Gas?

Starlet

When people get their gas boiler checked, do they have to get a seal of approval from British Gas or another company?

I want to know if this is possible:
If a Landlord doesn’t have a gas boiler safety certificate but says that it has been done recently, can I double-check by calling British Gas and giving the landlord’s name (so that his details can be retrieved)?
Do companies such as British Gas keep a record of the gas boilers which they have certified as being “safe”?

____________________

Background:
I will be renting a room next month. Yesterday I went to view it, and am going there again this evening (because the landlord wasn’t there – only his wife was there). I forgot to ask about the safety… (Not because I don’t trust him, but for my own peace of mind).
The boiler is in my room, so if anything happens, the first one to die will be me!

martinsurrey

no,

He should have copies of the gas safety check certificate.

By LAW (The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998) he has 28 days to issue you a copy of the most recent certificate.

there isn’t a central database of these, and can be completed by any gas safe registered person, so you'll never track it down yourself, but it’s not your responsibility.

write to him requesting a copy of the latest check.

Starlet

Thank you SO much, martinsurrey Such a quick response, and straight to the point

Also, are there any other safety checks which I need to check? That is the only one I can think of...
(thanks again:))

hazyjo

Even with a yearly gas certificate, it doesn't guarantee nothing will happen for a year. If not one there already, invest in a carbon monoxide alarm. That is the only way you can have permanent long term protection/early warning.

I don't think there's a central 'log' of servicing records. There are other gas suppliers than British Gas, plus most gas boiler engineers are able to service/inspect them. It doesn't even need to be serviced, it just needs to be inspected. No, not worth ringing British Gas (in my opinion).

Jx

mrginge

You need to clarify - are you renting a room in the landlords house? If so i dont believe he has to provide a safety certificate.

bryanb

Are you a tenant or a lodger?

Werdnal

As above, are you renting a room int he Landlord's house and landlord lives there too? There are different rules about letting depending on whether you are a lodger or a tenant.

If you are concerned, buy a CO detector - readily available in most supermarkets now, and keep in your room.

Starlet

mrginge wrote: »

You need to clarify - are you renting a room in the landlords house? If so i dont believe he has to provide a safety certificate.

Yes that is correct - I will be renting a room in his house

martinsurrey

Starlet wrote: »

Yes that is correct - I will be renting a room in his house

In that case you are not a tenant, you are a lodger, and he doesn’t need to provide anything, you have very very few rights.

I would read up on them to make sure you are comfortable with the possibility of eviction with very little warning!

edit for link

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/sharing_and_subletting/lodgers

Starlet

bryanb wrote: »

Are you a tenant or a lodger?

Sorry, until around 5 minutes ago I didnt know the difference.
I will be a lodger because I will be living in his house.

Werdnal

I always thought that resident landlords letting to lodgers didn't need GCS either, but just found this on Shelter's website:

Homeowner's responsibilities for gas safety

Get gas safety checks

If you own your home, you should arrange for a gas safety check to be carried out once year - this is not a legal requirement unless you have lodgers or tenants, but is recommended.



Page link is here:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/home_safety/gas_safety/responsibility_for_gas_safety