Gas safety certificate - Help

monmaison2009

I would like to get some clarification regarding a gas safety certificate. I have a boiler that was installed in 2006, the boiler is working well and it has been services every year. I want to get a gas safety certificate for it however the gas engineer is refusing to certify it and still wants the money for the certificate. His reason is that the flue is less than 300mm from the opening of the kitchen window. I have been doing some reading and I can see that for new boiler installations it needs to comply with this regulation however this is at the gas safety engineer discretion for existing installations (and I am not planning on changing mine). Could someone help and clarify? Am I not going to be able to get a gas safety certificate unless I move the flue? I cannot afford this expense:( Thanks

System

monmaison2009 wrote: »

I would like to get some clarification regarding a gas safety certificate. I have a boiler that was installed in 2006, the boiler is working well and it has been services every year. I want to get a gas safety certificate for it however the gas engineer is refusing to certify it and still wants the money for the certificate. His reason is that the flue is less than 300mm from the opening of the kitchen window. I have been doing some reading and I can see that for new boiler installations it needs to comply with this regulation however this is at the gas safety engineer discretion for existing installations (and I am not planning on changing mine). Could someone help and clarify? Am I not going to be able to get a gas safety certificate unless I move the flue? I cannot afford this expense:( Thanks

The problem that you have is that you contracted with a GSR’d engineer to carry out a Safety Inspection. He has carried out the contracted work and your installation has, unfortunately, been deemed unsafe. The engineer is right to invoice you. Has the engineer given you a quote to make the flue fully compliant? Two options: one, a flue extension or, two, sealing the kitchen window.

Anthorn

monmaison2009 wrote: »

I would like to get some clarification regarding a gas safety certificate. I have a boiler that was installed in 2006, the boiler is working well and it has been services every year. I want to get a gas safety certificate for it however the gas engineer is refusing to certify it and still wants the money for the certificate. His reason is that the flue is less than 300mm from the opening of the kitchen window. I have been doing some reading and I can see that for new boiler installations it needs to comply with this regulation however this is at the gas safety engineer discretion for existing installations (and I am not planning on changing mine). Could someone help and clarify? Am I not going to be able to get a gas safety certificate unless I move the flue? I cannot afford this expense:( Thanks

First of all I agree with Hengus: The engineer completed the work so has to be paid for the work. If you don't agree with the decision get a second opinion. Several companies offer a service to inspect the boiler, install a new boiler and maintain it all for an all-in monthly price.

You don't say much about the purpose of the property and the requirement of the gas safety certificate. As far as I know you only need a gas safety certificate by law if you intend to let the property. If you are in a rented property the landlord is responsible for the certificate. An exception depending on the tenancy agreement is when the tenant installs new appliances. For example my landlord provides a gas safety certificate for the existing boiler but I have to provide certification for the gas cooker I will be having installed in January. (Curry's installation service provides that).

monmaison2009

Thanks I am not concerned about the payment to the gas engineer. I did that on the spot I just wanted clarity on how this work. I am more concerned about the certificate. This is my main residence however I would like to let it out for a short period of time. I am not planning on changing the boiler or anything like that. Also not planning on having new wholes on the wall to meet the distance.....
The gas safety engineer said some engineers and companies do certify provided all is ok and that the boiler is not a new installation even if the distance is less than 300mm. TBH I cannot afford to spend money changing this and I need to rent the flat to make it pay for itself. I was wondering if I could do this and have the gas safety certificate?

System

monmaison2009 wrote: »

The gas safety engineer said some engineers and companies do certify provided all is ok and that the boiler is not a new installation even if the distance is less than 300mm. TBH I cannot afford to spend money changing this and I need to rent the flat to make it pay for itself. I was wondering if I could do this and have the gas safety certificate?

I am not sure that I understand what you are saying. A GSR'ed engineer has already decided that your installation does not meet gas safety standards. Legally, if you let a property; take in a lodger etc, you are required to hold a valid Gas Safety Certificate. I have no doubt that you might be able to find a GSR'ed engineer that will issue you with a Certificate but you have a problem. How will you find an engineer that is content to issue a Gas Safety Certificate? They will all want paying for an inspection. Paying for a flue extension and having it fitted is not that expensive.

macman

You sound like another amateur landlord in the making...there are lots of costs and responsibilities to take on as an LL, and you don't sound prepared to do so.
What if the boiler needs replacing during the tenancy-are you going to tell your tenant that you can't afford it?