If you’ve had gas work done on your home, you should have received a gas compliance certificate. If you haven’t, or you’re not sure what one is, this guide explains everything Auckland homeowners need to know, what the certificates are, when they’re required, and why they matter more than most people realise.
What Is a Gas Compliance Certificate?
A gas compliance certificate is an official document issued by a licensed gasfitter confirming that gas work on your property has been completed safely and in accordance with New Zealand regulations.
It’s a legal requirement. Under the Gas Act 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act, every piece of gas fitting work carried out in New Zealand must be certified on completion. This applies to new installations, replacements, repairs, modifications, and disconnections.
The certificate isn’t just paperwork for the sake of it. It’s a formal record that a qualified person has inspected and tested the work, confirmed it meets safety standards, and taken professional responsibility for it. If something goes wrong down the track, the certificate creates a clear trail of accountability.
The Two Certificates You Should Receive
There are actually two separate documents involved in gas certification. Depending on the type of work, you may receive one or both:
Certificate of Compliance (CoC)
This confirms what gas fitting work was carried out, who did it, and that it complies with NZ safety standards. A CoC is required for all prescribed gas fitting work, which covers most installations, alterations, and significant repairs.
The CoC includes details of the gasfitter, their licence number, a description of the work completed, and confirmation that the installation has been tested.
Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)
This is issued once the gas work is connected to a gas supply and operational. It confirms that the installation is safe to use and that it hasn’t adversely affected any other part of the gas system on the property.
A GSC is required whenever gas fitting work is connected to a gas supply, which in practice means most jobs.
In simple terms: the CoC covers the work itself, and the GSC confirms it’s safe once it’s up and running. For most residential gas work (installing a califont, replacing a hob, running a new gas line), you should receive both.
When Is a Certificate Required?
The short answer: any time gas work is done on your property. This includes:
- Installing a new califont or gas hot water cylinder
- Replacing an existing gas hot water system
- Installing or replacing a gas hob or cooktop
- Running new gas lines
- Converting appliances from natural gas to LPG (or vice versa)
- Disconnecting gas appliances
- Capping gas lines
- Repairing gas fittings or connections
There is no minimum threshold. Even a straightforward hob swap or a gas disconnection requires certification. If a gasfitter touches your gas system, they should be issuing a certificate.
Why It Matters for Homeowners
Most homeowners don’t think much about compliance certificates until they need them. Here are the three situations where they become critical:
Insurance Claims
If you have a gas-related incident in your home, whether it’s a fire, explosion, carbon monoxide issue, or property damage, your insurance company will almost certainly ask for the gas compliance certificates for the relevant work.
If you can’t produce them, or if the work was done without certification, your insurer may reduce or decline the claim entirely. This is one of the most common and costly gaps in home documentation.
Selling Your Property
When you sell your home, the buyer’s lawyer will often request gas compliance certificates as part of the due diligence process. Missing certificates can delay settlement, reduce the sale price, or create complications during negotiations.
Having a complete set of certificates for all gas work done on the property gives buyers confidence and keeps the sale process moving smoothly.
Accountability
The certificate identifies exactly who did the work and confirms they were licensed at the time. If the work turns out to be faulty, you have a clear record of who is responsible. The gasfitter is accountable for the work they certified, and you have the documentation to support any claim against them if needed.
What If You Don’t Have One?
If you’ve had gas work done and didn’t receive a certificate, there are a few things to consider:
Contact the gasfitter who did the work. They are legally required to issue certificates, so ask them to provide the documentation. If they refuse or are unable to, that’s a red flag about the quality and legality of the work.
Check the PGDB register. The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board maintains a public register of licensed gasfitters. If the person who did the work isn’t on the register, the work may have been done illegally by an unlicensed person.
Get the work inspected. If you’re unsure about the safety of existing gas work that wasn’t certified, a licensed gasfitter can inspect the installation, test it, and issue a certificate if it meets current standards. If it doesn’t, they can advise on what needs to be fixed.
Be aware of the risks. Uncertified gas work is a safety risk and a financial risk. If the work doesn’t meet standards, it could be dangerous. And if something goes wrong, the lack of certification could leave you exposed on insurance.
It’s also worth noting that if you bought a property and later discover that previous gas work was done without certification, the responsibility sits with whoever commissioned that work, not with you as the new owner. However, you may still need to get the work inspected and certified to protect yourself going forward.
How to Check Your Gasfitter Is Certified
Before any gas work starts on your property, it’s worth verifying that the person doing the work is actually licensed. Here’s how:
Ask to see their practising licence. Every licensed gasfitter in New Zealand carries an identity card issued by the PGDB. This card states whether they are qualified to carry out gas fitting work. Not all plumbers are gasfitters, and unfortunately some plumbers carry out gas work without the correct licence.
Check the PGDB register online. You can search for any gasfitter by name on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board website. The register shows their licence type, status, and whether it’s current.
Look for the right licence type. For most residential gas work, you want a gasfitter with a Certifying Gas Fitter or Crafts Gas Fitter practising licence. A certifying gasfitter can both do the work and issue the certificates. A crafts gasfitter can do the work but needs a certifying gasfitter to sign off the certificates.
Ask upfront. A reputable gasfitter won’t hesitate to confirm their credentials. If someone is evasive about their licence status, find someone else.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning gas work on your Auckland home, whether it’s a califont installation, hob replacement, gas conversion, or anything else involving your gas supply, make sure you’re using a licensed certifying gasfitter who will issue the proper compliance certificates on completion.
At Citywide Plumbing & Pumps, we issue a Certificate of Compliance and Gas Safety Certificate with every gas fitting job. No exceptions. Our gasfitters hold current certifying licences issued by the PGDB, and we’re happy to provide our credentials before any work starts.
