The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) has asked housing associations to note a major change in gas safety.

The change which came into effect on 1 April 2009 now means that all gas engineers must be on the new Gas Safe Register to lawfully carry out gas work. The Gas Safe Register replaces the CORGI gas registration which ended in Great Britain and Isle of Man on 31 March and no longer applies to gas safety law.

Housing associations are being asked to take this into account when selecting engineers to carry out gas safety checks or work on the homes they manage. All Gas Safe Registered engineers have an ID card complete with unique licence number and photograph which tenants can check before allowing an engineer to enter their home. Associations are also reminded to make sure they supply tenants with a copy of the safety check within 28 days of it being carried out or before a tenant move in.

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Clare Miller, TSA Executive Director Governance and Viability said: "This is a very important change in the law and one that we are advising associations to ensure their tenants are fully aware of. Gas safety is a theme which has featured in our National Conversation with tenants.

"To make sure that gas appliances such as boilers, fires, ovens and hobs are installed, maintained and serviced safely, only a Gas Safe Registered engineer should carry out the work. If someone other than a Gas Safe Registered engineer undertakes gas work, they are breaking the law and could put lives at risk."

(CD/JM)