Home > Information > NLA Index

Self-certification for plumbers

from "UK Landlord" magazine, March 2007

The trade association for the plumbing and heating industry in England and Wales, the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC), has launched a self-certification scheme for the plumbing and heating industry's Competent Persons' Scheme (CPS).

The scheme offers its plumbers and heating contractors the ability to self-certify their work for Water Regulations and the majority of Building Regulations.

New legislation in force this year requires all tradesmen operating under Building Regulations to gain approval from their local building control officer. Doing this on a job-by-job basis can add time and costs, and Competent Persons Schemes have been formulated by various professional bodies to allow high-quality tradesmen to selfcertificate their work, rather than calling out the local building control officer every time.

The APHC is calling on consumers to only use plumbers if they are members of a Competent Person Scheme. If the work is done by a tradesman who is not a member and who does not notify the local building control officer, that work is not legal and could have implications for insurance claims and on resale.

The self-certification process can be done online or by telephone. Scheme members will be required to offer consumers an insurance-backed warranty against defective design and installation work.

Companies will have their jobs inspected and have to ensure competent supervision, up-to-date equipment and that all relevant insurances and warranties are in place.

Rugg Review:
The Independent Review of the Private Rented Sector has been published. See how it affects you.

What's new?
• Scottish landlords face huge fines over EPCs
• NLA review of 2008
• Iain Wright’s speech to the NLA National Conference
• A match made in heaven?
• 71% of landlords expecting increase in rental arrears
• NLA: buy-to-let landlords not covered by payment holiday plan