What to do when a gas boiler installation certificate missing
02/07/2022
(Last Updated: 02/07/2022)
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The issue normally arises during the conveyancing process when the seller finds out that their boiler installation certificate is missing. The issue could be:
- Installed by Gas Safety engineer but they forgot to register at Gas Safety
- Not installed by a Gas Safety engineer
- Installed by Gas Safety engineer but the boiler installation certificate is missing
The latter isn't an issue as you can see the installation on both the Gas Safety website and the council records, however your buyer wants the Gas Safety Compliance Certificate. You can order a replacement using the links in this article below. The other two scenarios require registration at Gas Safety, however this can only be completed by a Gas Safety engineer.
Do you need a building control certificate for gas boiler replacement?
In England and Wales all gas boiler replacements & installations, along with any other heat producing appliance like a fire, need to be registered at the Local Authority to meet with Building Regulations.
It is illegal to install a boiler or a heating appliance into a property without a building regs certificate. In this article we explain what you can do if you are buying a property and the boiler hasn't got, or the seller has lost, a building regulations certificate for the boiler installation.
How should a gas boiler be installed?
All boiler installations should be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer or business.
A registered engineer self-certifies the work they do to install a boiler and then notifies Gas Safety of the installation. Gas Safety notify your Local Authority and a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate is sent to the property in the post within 10 to 15 working days.
Is your Gas Installer on the Gas Safe Register?
Checking that the boiler meets building regs is part of the legal enquiries stage, learn more in the video below, or skip ahead to: What if the seller doesn't have a boiler certificate?
What if the seller doesn't have a boiler certificate?
Although it is illegal to get a gas boiler replacement or installation by an engineer who is not Gas Safe registered and able to self certify, some sellers choose this route to save on cost or because they don't know it is illegal.
If the seller doesn't have a boiler certificate they have two options:
- Retrospective Building Regulation Compliance Certificate - the seller can pay for a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect the gas boiler replacement or installation and either; sign off the installation of the boiler, or make good the installation of the boiler and then sign off the installation. If there is an issue with the installation and the seller won't pay for the works to be addressed, the Gas Safe engineer will be forced to turn off the gas supply to the property/boiler, until the works are completed. The cost ranges from £200 to a complete reinstall.
- Take out boiler indemnity insurance - the buyer can take out an indemnity policy that protects them against losses for the local authority enforcing the removal of the boiler. The indemnity policy doesn't cover for gas boiler replacement costs. The cost for this indemnity insurance ranges from £180 to £500.
Can you get a Gas Safe duplicate certificate?
If you have lost your boiler installation certificate you can click here to obtain a duplicate boiler installation certificate from Gas Safety or you can call Gas Safety on 0800 408 5500 (choose option 6)
A duplicate certificate can be emailed or posted at a cost of £5 plus VAT (£6).
Do all Gas Safe engineers do retrospective boiler certifying?
Not all engineers will undertake retrospective boiler certification because if there is an issue in the future related to the gas boiler replacement or installation, then they are liable for it - even if it was caused by the original installer. You can check the Gas Safe website for a local engineer who is qualified and able to undertake the retrospective certification.
What are the costs for retrospective boiler certification?
The costs will vary depending on where you live and the availability of the engineer. A standard retrospective certification will cost between £200 to £400. The challenge arises where the original installation does not pass Building Regulations for the install and requires the engineer to re-install the boiler, if this is possible. If the boiler is able to be re-installed then the engineer's costs could escalate to a £1,000 or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
SELL
RETRO
Written by:
Andrew Boast
Andrew started his career in 2000 working within conveyancing solicitor firms and grew hands-on knowledge of a wide variety of conveyancing challenges and solutions. After helping in excess of 50,000 clients in his career, he uses all this experience within his article writing for SAM, mainstream media and his self published book How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone.
Reviewed by:
Caragh Bailey
Caragh is an excellent writer in her own right as well as an accomplished copy editor for both fiction and non-fiction books, news articles and editorials. She has written extensively for SAM for a variety of conveyancing, survey and mortgage related articles.
