Gas Safety

We are committed to your safety and take our responsibilities on gas safety very seriously.  As your landlord we will make sure that:

• all of our properties has a gas safety check before it is let to a new tenant;
• a Gas Safety Certificate will be issued to each new tenant within 28 days after each gas safety check or annual service, by email where possible;
• a Gas Safe Registered engineer carries out all installation, maintenance, safety checks as well as a gas service every year; and
• we assess any other gas appliances in the property owned by you and advise if you need to arrange any necessary repairs to them.

As a tenant, you are responsible for:

• giving us access to carry out gas safety checks.  It is a legal requirement that you agreed to by signing your tenancy agreement.  This is for the safety of you, your family and your neighbours.  Please note that if you do not give access to your home to allow us to carry out the annual gas safety check you may be in breach of your tenancy conditions and we will need to force entry to your home and recharge you for the costs;
• keeping your Gas Safety Certificates in a safe place to refer to if there is any problem with the heating system in the future;
• making sure that any gas appliances owned by you are installed correctly and checked annually for safety; and
• keeping all air vents and grills uncovered.

We will phone you roughly three weeks before your gas safety check is due, to agree an appointment on a date and time that suits you. If we do not manage to contact you after three attempts, we will schedule an appointment for you, and write to confirm that date and time. If the appointment does not suit, please let us know as soon as possible so we can rearrange. 

We amount we will recharge if we have to force entry depends on:

• if you allow us access;
• if we have to fit a Gas Appliance Servicing Monitor (to prevent future gas servicing failures); and
• if we have to change your locks.

The breakdown of costs is as follows:

Read our leaflet on gas safety.

Report Gas Repairs

During office hours - Monday - Friday between 8.45am and 5pm - please phone 0300 123 4566.  Please note our Contact Centre can be very busy between 8:45am and 10am.  Where possible we would appreciate if your call can wait until after this time to avoid any unnecessary waiting time for you. All repairs will be prioritised depending on the nature of the repair.

Out-of-hours emergencies (weekends and between 5pm and 8.45am)  - please phone 03457 565656

For more information see our Council House Repairs web page.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, with no colour, taste or smell. Exposure to even low levels can cause brain damage or death.

We fit carbon monoxide alarms at each gas appliance in your home, which are battery operated. These batteries last six years, and we will replace them. If carbon monoxide is present you will hear a continuous beep. You should phone the National Gas Emergency Service number immediately on 0800 111 999 and follow their advice.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of flu and other virus infections. They include drowsiness, weakness, headaches, nausea and pains in the chest. If anyone in your home has any of these symptoms while a gas appliance is being used, stop using the appliance until it has been checked and consult a doctor.

SGN Locking Cooker Valve

The locking cooker valve from SGN helps vulnerable customers keep their independence at home and provides reassurance to family, friends and carers.  It is a simple safety device that is fitted to existing gas cooker pipework.  When the valve is locked, the gas supply to the cooker is stopped. This means the cooker can't be turned on or left on by mistake, giving peace of mind to a carer or relative that the cooker can't be used when they leave the house or the room.  The carer or relative can easily turn the valve on using the key when the cooker is required, allowing the vulnerable person to continue to use their gas cooker safely.

You will find more information on the locking cooker valve, including a film, leaflet and image of the valve by visiting the SGN website.