Yes, your landlord is legally required to use a licensed gasfitter for any gas work carried out at a rental property in New Zealand. This isn't just best practice — it's the law, and it applies whether the job is a quick repair or a full installation. Understanding your rights as a tenant (and your obligations as a landlord) can help keep everyone safe and on the right side of the rules.
Why Gas Work Is Restricted in New Zealand
Gas work is classified as restricted work under the Gas Act 1992 and associated regulations. This means only a person who holds a current gasfitting licence issued by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) is legally permitted to carry out, supervise, or certify gas installations and repairs.
The reason is straightforward: faulty gas work can cause fires, explosions, carbon monoxide poisoning, and death. The licensing system exists to protect the public — and that protection matters even more in rental properties, where tenants may have no idea what work has been done or how.
What Counts as Restricted Gas Work?
Restricted gas work covers a wide range of tasks, including:
- Installing, altering, or repairing gas appliances (heaters, cooktops, ovens, hot water systems)
- Connecting or disconnecting gas lines
- Installing or modifying gas meters or regulators
- Commissioning new gas installations
- Any work on LPG or natural gas pipework inside or outside the property
Even something that seems minor — like relocating a gas hob or replacing a gas water heater — must be done by a licensed gasfitter. A landlord cannot legally do this work themselves unless they hold the appropriate licence.
The Healthy Homes Standards and Landlord Obligations
Under the Healthy Homes Standards, landlords must ensure rental properties meet specific requirements around heating, ventilation, and draught stopping. If a landlord installs or upgrades a gas heater to comply with the heating standard, that installation must be carried out by a licensed gasfitter — no exceptions.
Landlords who use unlicensed people for gas work risk:
- Fines and penalties under the Gas Act
- Liability if something goes wrong
- Insurance claims being declined
- Tenancy Tribunal action from tenants
How to Check If Your Gasfitter Is Licensed
Both tenants and landlords can verify a gasfitter's licence on the PGDB public register. Simply search by name or licence number. A licensed gasfitter should also be able to show you their current licence card on request.
When gas work is completed, the gasfitter is required to issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC). This document confirms the work meets the New Zealand Building Code and relevant standards. Landlords should keep this certificate, and tenants are entitled to ask for a copy.
What the NZ Building Code Says
Gas installations in New Zealand must comply with NZS 5261 (Gas Installation) and the NZ Building Code, particularly clauses relating to safety of occupants. MBIE Building Performance provides guidance on when building consent is also required for gas work — for example, installing a new gas line to a different part of the property may require consent from your local council. Always check with your council if you're unsure.
What Tenants Can Do If They're Concerned
If you suspect gas work at your rental has been done by an unlicensed person, or if you notice signs of a gas problem (smell of gas, appliances not working properly, soot marks around appliances), take these steps:
- If you smell gas: Leave the property immediately, don't use any switches or flames, and call your gas supplier or 111.
- Report concerns to the PGDB if you believe unlicensed gas work has been carried out.
- Contact Tenancy Services if your landlord is not meeting their obligations — visit tenancy.govt.nz for advice.
- Ask your landlord for the Certificate of Compliance for any gas work done during your tenancy.
A Note on LPG vs Natural Gas
The licensing requirement applies equally whether the property uses LPG (bottled gas) or natural gas (reticulated). Both are covered under the Gas Act, and both require a licensed gasfitter for any restricted work.
When to Call a Professional
As a tenant, you should never attempt to repair, adjust, or interfere with gas appliances or pipework yourself — this is both illegal and extremely dangerous. If something seems wrong with a gas appliance, notify your landlord in writing straight away and ask them to arrange a licensed gasfitter to inspect it.
As a landlord, always engage a licensed gasfitter for any gas-related work, no matter how small it seems. You can find qualified, licensed gasfitters in your area right here on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Safety note: Carbon monoxide is odourless and colourless. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector near gas appliances in your rental property — it could save lives.
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