Boiler, hob, gas pipes: who is legally allowed to do gas work

A boiler, hob, gas fire or gas pipes are high-risk: a mistake can mean carbon monoxide poisoning or an explosion. So the law strictly limits who may do gas work.

What the law requires

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (regulation 3), no one may carry out work on gas fittings unless they are competent. Moreover, doing gas work for others is only allowed for those in a class approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In practice this means being on the Gas Safe Register — the official register of gas engineers.

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How to protect yourself

Before you let anyone near your boiler or hob, ask for their Gas Safe ID card (with photo and number) and check it lists the type of work you need. A «mate who knows how», without registration, is both illegal and dangerous. You can verify an engineer on the Gas Safe Register.

If you rent, your landlord has a separate duty — an annual gas safety check and certificate. But in your own home the rule is the same: gas work only by a registered engineer.