Gas Safety Inspections
Did you know that.....?
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 place a legal duty on Three Valleys Housing, like all other landlords, to carry out an annual safety check on all gas pipes and appliances present in your home.
These annual safety checks are essential for your safety and that of your family and/or visitors, and to ensure that appliances are working correctly and efficiently.
What does the annual safety check cover?
The annual gas safety check includes an inspection of all the fixed gas appliances, chimney flue systems and gas pipes in your home. This involves the general operation of the appliance being checked in order to ensure safe functioning, stability and the supply of combustible air.
All gas appliances installed by Three Valleys Housing will receive a gas service or a safety check depending upon the type of appliance, its age and condition. This service is provided completely free of charge for the safety of your family and your neighbours.
For appliances owned by you i.e. fires and cookers, it is your responsibility to have these maintained. However, as your landlord we have a duty of care to maintain any flue (chimney) system serving a gas appliance owned by you, and to check any pipework supplying your cooker.
Therefore, at the time we check the flue or pipework, we will also carry out a gas safety check on your appliance(s). However, any faults that we diagnose, or repairs that are required, will be your responsibility. For your safety we recommend that you refer to the manufacturer's instructions regarding the use and maintenance of your appliance (if you have questions at the time of our visit, our engineer will be pleased to help).
If the engineer finds any appliances (including any owned by you) are in an unsafe condition, by law we are obliged to disconnect them from the gas supply. A warning label will be attached to the appliance to inform any potential user that it is unsafe.
The engineer will advise you what to do next.
What is the difference between a gas safety check and a gas service?
A safety check is a check on the general operation of the appliance to ensure it is stable, functions safely and has a supply of combustible air.
A gas service is where the appliance is removed, cleaned, reassembled and recommissioned.
Both the safety check and the service will carried out by an engineer who is on the Gas Safe Register.
What do I need to do?
You need do very little. We will write to you to arrange a gas safety check at your home within twelve months of the last safety check.
You need to respond to that letter as quickly as possible, even if you believe a gas safety check has recently been completed.
If we have not heard from you in seven days, we will send you a second letter to remind you. Again, please reply as soon as possible and no later than seven days from when you get that letter.
What happens if I am out when an engineer calls?
If you do not respond, our engineer will let us know that they have been unable to arrange access to your home. We will write to you to give you a further opportunity to make an appointment for a gas safety inspection to be undertaken.
What happens if I continue to miss calls or refuse entry?
We hope that Court action will never be necessary but we will not hesitate to take action where the safety of our residents or their neighbours may be at risk.
If you do not respond to our letters or efforts to gain access, we will commence legal proceedings.
If necessary, we will:
- Serve a notice of our intention to seek possession of your home because you have breached the terms of your tenancy agreement
- Take legal action through the County Court to gain access to your home
- Force access to your home, either in an emergency or via an injunction as outlined in the terms of your tenancy agreement
- Ask the court to order you to pay our legal costs if court proceedings are necessary; the cost of obtaining an injunction can be well in excess of £1,000.
Your health and safety
Your safety is our main priority, so please help us by:
- Responding promptly to our letters
- Contacting us immediately to arrange an appointment if you receive a letter from us or our solicitors about gas safety checks
- Contacting us on 0800 389 8083 during working hours if you are unsure of when the last gas safety check was undertaken at your home.
Some safety points for you to note
- All our staff carry identity cards - always ask to see it before allowing someone into your home
- We only use engineers on the Gas Safe Register
- NEVER try a do-it-yourself repair on any gas pipe or appliance - you could be putting yourself and others at risk and could be breaking the law
- NEVER block sources of ventilation such as air bricks or vents in doors
- NEVER obstruct flues or chimneys
- ALWAYS follow the manufacturer's user instructions on any gas appliance.
Gas leaks
Gas leaks are very serious and require your immediate attention. If you think you smell gas at any time follow these simple steps:
- Put out cigarettes, turn off gas cookers and fires, and anything with a naked flame
- Turn off the gas supply – this lever is normally next to your gas meter
- Open all doors and windows to ventilate the property
- Do not turn electrical switches/appliances on or off
- Do not use mobile phones
- Do not use door entry systems – open the door manually
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service on (freephone) 0800 111 999 from outside the property. They will send a qualified operative to either rectify the problem or make the gas supply safe. You will not be charged for this visit.
- Do not under any circumstances turn the gas supply back on until safety checks have been made and you have been told it is safe to do so.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless, poisonous gas which can be produced by burning any fuel. You cannot see, taste or smell it but it can kill without warning.
The initial symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are similar to flu. They include headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and general lethargy.
What to do if you experience symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning
If you suspect Carbon Monoxide poisoning:
- turn off the appliance immediately
- turn the gas off at the mains and ventilate the property
- get fresh air and seek immediate medical advice..
Telephone the Repairs freephone on 0800 389 8083 during office hours or 0844 770 3501 out of hours, and we will arrange for an engineer on the Gas Safe Register to check the safety of your appliance.
Remember - Carbon Monoxide can kill so act promptly.
For more information about Carbon Monoxide, click here.
Don’t Forget:
Please respond promptly to notification of your gas safety checks or get in touch if you have any concerns.
If you do not have your appliances checked regularly, you are risking your life, as well as the lives of your family, friends and neighbours.
Contact Numbers
Repairs & Gas Servicing 0800 389 8083
Emergency - Outside office hours 0844 770 3501
National Gas Emergency Service 0800 111 999
Revised 1 April 2009 (PC)