What Records Should You Keep After Licensed Gasfitting Work Is Completed?

After a licensed gasfitter completes work at your home, you should receive several important documents. Keeping these records safe protects you legally, helps with insurance claims, and is essential if you ever sell your property. Here's a straightforward guide to what you should have on file and why it matters.

The Certificate of Compliance (CoC)

The most important document you'll receive is the Certificate of Compliance (CoC). Under the Gas Act 1992, a licensed gasfitter must issue a CoC for any prescribed gasfitting work — this includes installing, altering, or repairing gas appliances, pipework, and fittings. The CoC confirms that the work has been carried out by a licensed practitioner and meets the required safety standards.

The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) oversees licensing and compliance for gasfitters in New Zealand. If your gasfitter does not provide a CoC for prescribed work, you are entitled to request one — and if they refuse, that's a serious red flag worth reporting to the PGDB.

Keep your CoC permanently. There is no set expiry on its usefulness — it may be needed years later when you sell your home or make an insurance claim.

What Other Documents Should You Keep?

Beyond the CoC, there are several other records worth holding onto:

• Appliance manuals and installation guides — These contain maintenance schedules, warranty conditions, and safety information specific to your appliance.
• Warranty documentation — Gas appliances (hot water systems, heaters, hobs, etc.) typically come with manufacturer warranties. Keep the original purchase receipt, warranty card, and any registration confirmation.
• Inspection and service records — If your gasfitter carried out a service or inspection alongside the installation, ask for a written record of what was checked and any findings.
• Invoices and receipts — A detailed invoice showing the work completed, materials used, and the gasfitter's licence number is useful for insurance, disputes, or future tradespeople.
• Building consent documentation — Some gasfitting work requires a building consent from your local council (for example, installing a new gas line to a new structure). If consent was required, keep the consent approval and the Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) issued by your council once the work is signed off. Always check with your local council whether consent applies to your specific job — requirements can vary.

How to Organise and Store Your Records

A simple approach works best for most homeowners:

Scanning documents and emailing them to yourself or saving them to cloud storage means you won't lose them if the originals are damaged in a flood or fire — which is particularly relevant given New Zealand's weather events in recent years.

Why These Records Matter

Selling Your Home

When you sell your property, buyers and their solicitors will often ask for evidence that gas work was done legally and safely. A CoC and any relevant building consent paperwork gives buyers confidence and can prevent delays at settlement.

Insurance Claims

If a gas appliance or fitting causes damage, your insurer may ask for proof that the work was carried out by a licensed professional. Without a CoC, you could face complications with your claim.

Ongoing Safety and Maintenance

Gas appliances should be serviced regularly — typically every one to two years, though always follow the manufacturer's recommendation. Keeping a log of service dates and findings helps you stay on top of maintenance and demonstrates due diligence, especially important for rental properties.

Healthy Homes and Rental Properties

If you're a landlord, the Tenancy Services Healthy Homes standards require that heating sources meet certain criteria. Keeping records of compliant gas heating installations supports your obligations under these standards.

Verifying Your Gasfitter's Licence

Before work begins — or after the fact if you're unsure — you can verify that your gasfitter holds a current licence through the PGDB licence register. Only a licensed gasfitter can legally carry out prescribed gasfitting work in New Zealand. Homeowners are not permitted to do this work themselves.

Safety note: Never attempt to connect, disconnect, or modify gas appliances or pipework yourself. Gas leaks can cause fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, ventilate the area, avoid naked flames and switches, and call your gas supplier or 111 immediately.

When to Call a Professional

All prescribed gasfitting work — including installing or altering gas appliances, pipework, regulators, and flues — is restricted work that must be carried out by a licensed gasfitter. This is a legal requirement under the Gas Act 1992, not just a recommendation. If you're unsure whether a job requires a licensed gasfitter, contact the PGDB or a qualified tradesperson for advice. You can find licensed gasfitters in your area on tradedirectory.co.nz.

Sources & Further Reading

• Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) — licence verification and compliance information
• MBIE Building Performance — building consents, Code Compliance Certificates, and the NZ Building Code
• WorkSafe NZ — gas safety and hazardous work regulations
• Tenancy Services — Healthy Homes — heating and compliance requirements for rental properties
• BRANZ — building research and best practice guidance for NZ homes