Most Homeowners Back Ban On Boiler Sales To Unqualified Individuals

• New research shows that nearly half of illegal gas work in the UK is promoted via social media

• Experts are calling for tougher rules on the sale of gas-critical products, as one in six homeowners never check if their engineer is Gas Safe registered

Experts are demanding a crackdown on rogue gas fitters, with nine in ten homeowners backing a ban on boiler sales to anyone who isn’t Gas Safe registered.1

The push for tighter restrictions comes as Gas Safety Week gets underway (8–14 September), backed by the Gas Safe Register, which urges households to protect their homes and loved ones by always checking tradesmen credentials.

According to the Gas Safe Register, around 250,000 gas jobs are carried out by unqualified individuals every year, with two-thirds deemed unsafe. 

Beyond safety, the issue is also hugely costly, with customers typically facing bills of £400 or more to correct the faults, and tradespeople forced to fight for business against illegal fitters. 

Despite the risks, a nationwide survey by ATAG Heating Technology found that one in six homeowners has never checked if their engineer is Gas Safe registered, raising concerns about the lack of public awareness for installer qualifications. A third said they would be more likely to verify credentials if the process were simpler.

A separate survey of Gas Safe installers, also conducted by ATAG, found that 82% are forced to fix unsafe jobs by unqualified fitters at least once every quarter, with nearly half warning that the faults pose a serious carbon monoxide risk.

Social media could be fuelling the problem, with 45% of illegal work promoted online, allowing unqualified traders to advertise with little oversight. 

More than six in ten registered engineers believe the most effective solution is to restrict boiler sales to Gas Safe professionals only.

ATAG Heating Technology already refuses to sell boilers to non-registered gas engineers and is now calling on MPs to enforce tighter rules across the industry. It is urging the public and tradespeople who back the ban to sign a letter to Parliament in support of new legislation that would restrict access to gas-critical products and reduce the volume of illegal installations. 

Kevin Treanor, Director of ATAG Heating Technology UK, said: “Illegal gas work doesn't just pose a threat to installers, it endangers the lives of UK residents.

“Our engineers often report showing up to jobs with dangerously installed systems that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, or even explosions, and so seeing the data there in black and white confirms our concerns. 

“The fact that over half of installers are never asked to show ID when attending a job shows just how vulnerable the current system is, and that we urgently need tougher safeguards to protect the public and uphold professional standards.

“We are really pleased that UK homeowners feel as strongly about this as we do, and are backing our call for change.”

The campaign has already garnered the support of leading industry bodies, including CORGI Services, who believe tougher restrictions are essential to protect homeowners and have a long track record of supporting carbon monoxide awareness groups.

Deborah Stephenson, Business Development Manager from CORGI Services, said: "CORGI Services stands firmly with ATAG Heating Technology in advocating for stricter regulations on the sale and installation of gas boilers. As the fundraising arm of the CO Research Trust, we wholeheartedly support ATAG's campaign against illegal gas work. 

“The safety of UK residents is paramount, and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from improperly installed systems is both real and preventable. Ensuring that only Gas Safe registered engineers can purchase and install gas-critical products is a crucial step in protecting lives and preventing these potentially deadly tragedies."

Government figures show that dozens of people lose their lives annually to carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty appliances.

NHS paramedic, Marie, who has attended multiple call outs for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, said: “Carbon Monoxide is known as a silent killer because you can’t see, smell, or taste it. 

“If you’re experiencing unexplained nausea, vomiting, chest pain, disorientation, or even loss of consciousness, it could be a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning and it’s critical to act fast.

“I have personal experience of my uncle being affected by it. Initially, his symptoms were put down to a virus and his memory loss due to old age. It was only after a service of his boiler that the cause was found. He soon bounced back once everything was fixed.

“If you think you’re being exposed, get outside into fresh air immediately and call for medical help. If it’s safe to do so, stop using any appliances you suspect - like a boiler or heater - and open windows and doors to ventilate the space.

“But most importantly, prevention is key. Every home should have a carbon monoxide alarm - they’re affordable, simple to fit, and they really do save lives.”

For more information on how to get involved, visit ATAG Heating Technology’s website. 

1. Research was carried out between May and June 2025, and was conducted on ATAG Selected Partners (Installers), with 174  respondents. 
2. Gas Safe Register Findings 

Source : ATAG Heating Technology

Image : Ruslan Ivantsov / shutterstock / 1821023261

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