Gas Safety Diagnosis*

Knowing that in France, gas equipments are responsable for one death and twenty casualties per day, the obligation to provide a Gas diagnosis is quite justified. One can only wonder why this diagnosis is required from the owner when his property is for sale and not when it is for rent. Does it mean that the life of a tenant is less valuable than that of a future owner?

The gas diagnosis determines whether the gas set-up whithin the home is in accordance with safety rules. Only fixed installations (natural gas supply, bottled gas and gas tanks) are concerned. Mobile gas appliances for heating or cooking (gas bottle) are not concerned by this legislation.

Beginning date
Since November 1st, 2007, it is mandatory to provide a gas diagnosis when selling real estate properties for living purposes equipped with a gas installation dating from more than fifteen years.

Beware : This diagnosis is due even if gas is cut out and the meter removed, as long as one gas pipe remains in the apartment.

What does this diagnosis consist of?
The legal documents** on the subject are rather sketchy. It is said that the diagnosis can be done without dismantling the equipment and that fixed pipe, junction with appliances, room ventilation and combustion should be verified. No standard document exist, nor does any brochure to inform the common user. Moreover, it is said that the purpose of the diagnosis is not to get a certificate of conformity but to inform whether the gas installation is dangerous or not. Therefore, the property owner who orders this diagnosis does not really know what to expect.

The technicien will remit an evaluation stating that the gas installation shows :
- no danger
- minor risks / A1
- serious immediate danger / A2

In case of a slight anomaly needing repair, the seller is not obligated to engage the work but he is under the obligation to inform the purchaser.
In case of danger, the technician has to inform the gas distributor who will probably choose to stop supplying gas.

What to do with the diagnosis?
The document is to be attached to the legalized document of sale. The seller is now protected by the garantee of « unknown defects » which means that if an accident due to gas occurs, he will not be held responsible.

Beware : At the selling date, the gas diagnosis has to be less than a year old.

Validity
3 years.

Where to hire a certified diagnosis technician?
To find the list of certified technicians, the seller can contact Cofrac www.cofrac.fr or Afaq www.afaq.org or the housing ministery www.logement.gouv.fr (>Fiches infos pratiques>Achat>Diagnostics immobiliers).

Beware : The chosen technician has to give the seller a document certifying that he has been accredited to provide the diagnosis. The seller who overlooks this certification could be fined up to 1500 €.

How much does the diagnosis cost?
More and more companies offer a global cost for all mandatory diagnosis. But if the gas diagnosis is ordered alone, the cost is about 200 €.

* articles L. 134-6 R.1134-6 à R.134-9 du Code de la construction et de l'habitation
** arrêté du 6 avril 2007 (article R.134-7 du CCH)

Click here to read Newsletter n°1 - March 2008.