Uninstalling a gas cooker

Oct 26, 2011 14 Replies

The position is: Gas is off currently Tenanted property We no longer want the gas cooker as switching to electric



Is it sufficient just to disconnect the cooker from the bayonet connector?



There will be a full gas safety certificate done tomorrow, before the gas is switched on again. That will obviously detect any leaks from the bayonet socket, but I am just wondering if that is sufficient? Should that be removed and capped off permanently? Or is there a plug that can go into it, so I can leave the socket in case we change our minds in future?


If you leave then gas meter in place, there is always the chance that you might get billed. Perhaps best to ask the gas go to remove it. Then they do the capping off.

Turned off at the main valve, or the meter is capped off?

NO. (AIUI). The bayonet is only for temporary removal during cleaning or changing the cooker.

The pipe must be properly capped off at the bayonet location. It won't be hard to de-cap it if wanted later.

Owain

And in a tenanted property all gas work has to be done by a Gas Safe registered person, the 'own house DIY' 'exemption' under the Gas Safe Regs doesn't apply.

Owain

Can you cite the legislation? Are these Gas Safe's own rules?

AFAIK the actual law states that gas work "done for hire or reward" *must* be carried out by an accredited person, which currently means GasSafe.

You'd be best to put a question like this to uk.legal.moderated, but my lay interpretation would be that work on a building that is to be used to make money would consitute "reward" but I'm no way certain that is actually the law.

However, I'm pretty certain the law does require a yearly GasSafe inspection and certification (100 quid-ish Landlords Safety Certificate) for all rental properties.

So it's possible you *might* be able to diy the work then get the whole thing checked - but I wouldn't bet my life on it...

It would be different if you DIY'd gas in your own home, that you later rented out after the fact.

hose is unplugged. It would be far easier and less prone to abuse though if the gas installer who carries out the safety inspection simply removes the socket and plugs the pipe end with an approved pattern of plug.

Does the tenant get to see the certificate? I don't trust my landlord, he is an absolute greasy, s*it.

You should a) be aware that the landlord has sent a Gas Safe regulated inspector to examine the gas appliances in the property you rent and b) have a copy of the inspection report.

Nick

I haven't found anything to stick in the socket (apart from a gas cooker)! No blanking plugs or anything like that. The empty socket has been viewed and approved by a gas safe fella, and he's signed off the Landlord safety cert.

Agreed, I was going to post a link to one then realised it was for a micropoint connection rather than a conventional bayonet outlet.

For these sort of things I generally look at BES and if they don't have it on the books then the chances are it isn't made.

It does seem strange though as it is the sort of thing that is begging for some secondary protection.

The landlord is required to give the tenant the "tenant's copy" of the certificate.

JGH

Especially as in many rented properties the Tenants will come up with various ways ranging from ingenious to dangerous to use something. I recall a mate when we were of student age renting a room with a coin in slot meter for light and a small electric fire. We soon sussed that the wall mounted gas lamps in the room were still connected ,this was in 1973 but a within a couple of days a some mantles had been sourced and hey presto free light which also gave off some heat. G.Harman

Many thanks for the reply. I am aware where gas work is carried out for hire and rewards requires the appropriate membership, but wasn't aware of any further legislation requiring all work in rented property to be carried out by Gas Safe.

Given the way pressure/interested groups work and MPs seemingly in the pockets of such groups, nothing would surprise me!!

In this case I rectified a fault on a boiler for a friend, wasn't paid and have no interest in the rental property.

As you say, there is the Landlord's safety certificate.

If the landlord does not give the tenent's copy to the tenant, the landlord is breaking the law. Quick summary and picture here:

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