Annual gas safety checks
Keeping you safe in your home is a top priority for us. If you have an assured, secure or fixed term tenancy we have a legal duty to check all the gas appliances in your home every 12 months and give you a valid gas safety certificate. (If you're a shared owner or leaseholder, you're responsible for these tests within your own home.)
Faulty gas appliances can cause fire and explosion, so we need to check that everything is in good working order. Carbon monoxide can also leak from faulty appliances - it's colourless and has no smell, but in high doses this can kill in less than five minutes.
As well as the safety check, we'll service your heating appliances and check your smoke alarms and any carbon monoxide detectors.
Keeping your appointment
Each year we'll give you a gas safety check appointment. If you can't make this appointment, please contact us as soon as possible (or call us if your appointment's today or tomorrow), so we can re-book your appointment and give the slot to someone else.
What you can expect
- We'll complete your annual gas safety check (and any work that's needed) first time, whenever possible.
- We'll make sure all our engineers are 'Gas Safe' registered.
- Our employees and contractors will work in a professional way, and not cause you any unnecessary disruption.
There are some things that you can do to prepare for your appointment.
- Please make sure someone over the age of 18 is in your property the whole time we're there - as we can't be in your property unsupervised.
- Clear the area in and around your appliances to give us easy access.
- Make sure you have money in the meter, as we'll need to run the appliances to check them.
By signing your tenancy agreement you've agreed to allow us into your home for your gas safety check. If you don't respond or repeatedly refuse to give us access to your property, we'll apply for a court order to do so, and you could even lose your home. Please don't let it get to this stage. If you have any concerns, please contact us as soon as possible and we can talk through any worries.
Gas safety
If you have a gas supply, it's really important that you know where and how to turn it off in an emergency (it's usually located outside, where the gas pipes enter your property).
If you smell gas
- DO call 0800 111 999 immediately (the Gas Network Provider freephone number)
- DO put out naked flames (including cigarettes)
- DO open all doors and windows
- DO shut off your gas supply at the meter (this is usually located outside, where the gas pipes enter your property)
- DON'T strike matches or light a cigarette
- DON'T turn electrical switches on or off
If you want to fit your own gas appliances (such as a fire in a spare fireplace), it's essential that you get our permission first. so that we’re aware and can check the condition of the installation and add the appliance to the annual inspection programme. If we give you permission, you’ll need to employ a 'Gas Safe' registered engineer to do the work. Please contact us for more advice on installing additional gas appliances.
If you'd like some more advice on any aspect of safety, please contact us.