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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to refuse gas safety check apt on an evening?

146 replies

CrimsonLipstickOnMyGlass · 07/03/2016 21:22

I'm genuinely not sure if I'm being unreasonable or not, basically my landlord use a plumber from the town where he lives which is over an hour's drive away, because the plumbers usual business is in the town where he lives he does not like to come to my town as it means he will be losing 2 hours worth of working time (while driving) which he will not paid for.
Because of this the plumber will not come here unless he has another job nearby or it's outside of his normal working hours, this means I either get a phone call saying 'I'm outside your house right now' or 'i will be in a few hours' meaning he expects me to drop whatever I'm doing and run home even if I'm at work, or he wants to come on an evening, usually with less than a day's notice.

Last year my gas safety check was due in August of 2014 but because of how difficult the plumber is, arranging the appointments was near impossible and it ended up not being done until January 31st 2015 which was in my opinion completely unacceptable and lead to bad feeling between the landlord and myself (as he viewed me resistance to an evening apt as unreasonable).
This year I tried to arrange the gas safety check before it was due but the landlord failed to get back to me. 6 days after it was overdue I came home to find a note from the plumber saying that he had been in the town and came to do the gas check but there was nobody in. The landlord is getting annoyed because he doesn't want a repeat of last year, neither do I, but again, the plumber refuses to come during the working day, I gave him several options of days that I would be in but he didn't even bother to get back to me to let me know that he was unwilling to come on those days.
This afternoon I received a text message which said ''can I come to do the gas safety check tomorrow night???''

AIBU to say no? I know it needs doing and it's urgent as it's overdue again and I do not want a repeat of last year, however, I do not like the idea of it being on an evening, I know that sounds really silly but it just makes me feel uncomfortable think a stranger in my house on an evening, I would just feel much more comfortable if it was during the day.

Is it normal for tradespeople to insist on working on an evening?

Would you allow a tradesperson to dictate that they will only come on an evening or would you allow an appointment on an evening such as this?
I could really use some MN advice on this.

Thank you

OP posts:
kmc1111 · 08/03/2016 23:38

What are people not getting? The OP isn't home at night, and she doesn't want to give some random guy a key to let himself in. Which is smart, because he could go make a copy.

Buckinbronco · 09/03/2016 07:28

"Bucking Bronco its not obsession Its just pointing out what SH tenants have to put up with.

Do you really think someone using a mouthwash lid on a boiler to stop fumes is acceptable?

If it was owner occupiers getting that kind of service and then objecting to it i dont think they would be getting called obsessed."

Right so because I asked why you are obsessed with contractors that means I think fixing a boiler with a mouthwash lid is acceptable? What a bizarre thing to say.

And yes you do seem obsessed, and if a home owner was as absorbed by poor service from their plumber as you seem to be I would think they were obsessed too.

NerrSnerr · 09/03/2016 07:28

Kmc what do you suggest then? The OP works during the day. When should they do the test that is designed to keep her safe? Do tradesmen often make copies of keys and why would be jeopardise future business with the landlord by doing so?

Buckinbronco · 09/03/2016 07:30

(I didn't think there was any money in gas safety certificates. Not sure why that's relevant to OPs problem though)

Buckinbronco · 09/03/2016 07:31

At a mutually agreed appointed time NerrSerr. It's not unusual to expect that, that's how appointments take place in tenanted properties

NerrSnerr · 09/03/2016 07:37

I'm clearly very trusting, I rented for 14 years ( in different properties) and used to tell the landlords to just do it whenever and let themselves in. Worked well though, I was never inconvenienced.

ihateminecraft · 09/03/2016 07:51

This is a mandatory check that is now long overdue and is actually for her benefit. If the OP is uncomfortable about letting tradesmen have keys then she will have to take time off work to let them in. That's what homeowners do when a job needs doing so why should a tenant be any different?

peggyundercrackers · 09/03/2016 08:14

Yabu - you kind of know the plumber because he has been to your house previously, he isn't a complete stranger. Just let him in to do his job. Do you think he will turn into some kind of maniac after 18:00?

ihateminecraft · 09/03/2016 08:21

Would the OP be as obstructive if she had no heating or the oven had broken and she couldn't cook her dinner? I bet she'd be demanding the contractor got round there ASAP in that situation!

19lottie82 · 09/03/2016 08:25

OP do you normally suffer from anxiety? Look at it this way, I'd say you have a higher chance of becoming ill / injured through an unsafe boiler than being attacked by a gas engineer!

I think your choices here are

1 - keep putting off the appointment, therefore taking risks with gas safety and pissing off your LL.

2 - let him in to do the appointment. Can you not ask a friend to come over if it makes you feel better?

Gabilan · 09/03/2016 08:37

I'm not trusting. I just figure CO poisoning is more common than gas men doing weird stuff. I've rented for decades and just let them in.

specialsubject · 09/03/2016 10:17

gas safe people carry IDs with photos, and you can ring gas safe to check they are who they say they are.

Twinsareplenty · 09/03/2016 10:28

It's £40-50 for a gas safety check where I am - NW - I would suggest to the LL that he just books someone nearer who will be more flexible, who is ok with working office hours. Maybe even do the phoning yourself and get a couple of local quotes to present to the LL if you don't want the inconvenience of unannounced appointments.
It is a legal requirement - full stop - so with 24 hours notice you should allow it to be done - at the end of the day it is your safety that is priority.

xenapants · 09/03/2016 10:32

You're being utterly ridiculous and stupidly obstructive over something that is a LEGAL requirement for your landlord. Let the man in to do his job!

RB68 · 09/03/2016 10:53

I disagree the person being unreasonable is actually the landlord by using a plumber who clearly doesn't want to do this job. He needs to book someone local and then they need to co-ordinate with OP when to do job. End of

xenapants · 09/03/2016 11:01

Rubbish. The OP is being utterly ridiculous. What does she think will happen - that the man will miraculously turn into a rapist as the clock strikes 6?

Buckinbronco · 09/03/2016 11:02

I don't understand why everyone is ignoring the complete lack of appointment making, the last minute rushes, the over due certificates in the past and general inconvienience and disorganisation being passed onto the OP to remedy. It's not about her not wanting the gas check, it's about wanting a firm and agreed appointment of her choosing. The logistics with the plumbers journey is neither here nor there

xenapants · 09/03/2016 11:29

The certificates were overdue because this silly woman refused to let a workman come to her flat after 6pm and every time the landlord tried to make an appointment she was obstructive and refused! She let it drag on for months. Have you not read the thread?

For god's sakes, a safety check takes 20 minutes. She's being ridiculous.

Original poster
CrimsonLipstickOnMyGlass · 09/03/2016 11:57

well my neighbour sat by her window watching my driveway until 7.30 but he did not turn up.
i tried calling but he didnt answer.

the landlord has not tried to make any appointments, he doesnt do anything other than tell me to sort it out with the plumber.
i have never canceled any appointments, only said im not in when he has turned up with no prior notice.

any repairs are my responsibility so i just make appointments with tradespeople myself for a time that is convenient for me so i dont have any issues.

but for some reason the LL insists that this plumber do the gas safety check, i've offered to get one done by someone local but he said no it has to be this plumber.

OP posts:
Twinsareplenty · 09/03/2016 13:16

That makes my teeth itch.
If he only wants HIS plumber checking it, all the more reason to get somebody else in to confirm it's all safe.

HelenaDove · 09/03/2016 13:33

Twins a lot of landlords will insist on only their heating engineer and/or sub contractor doing it.

HelenaDove · 09/03/2016 13:36

"well my neighbour sat by her window watching my driveway until 7.30 but he did not turn up.
i tried calling but he didnt answer"

Welcome to my world.

Your tenancy agreement is with your landlord not the plumber/heating engineer so your landlord cant just wash his hands of sorting it out.

OurBlanche · 09/03/2016 14:34

well my neighbour sat by her window watching my driveway until 7.30 but he did not turn up.
i tried calling but he didnt answer.
He is probably biting his tongue and ignoring you until he has another chat with your landlord. Maybe he didn't feel you had confirmed the call, he didn't want to rely on an unknown 3rd party admitting him to your home, or your neighbour missed him.

the landlord has not tried to make any appointments, he doesnt do anything other than tell me to sort it out with the plumber. Which is standard practice, so you can talk to the man who will be doing the work and make an arrangement that suits you both

i have never canceled any appointments, only said im not in when he has turned up with no prior notice. His problem

any repairs are my responsibility so i just make appointments with tradespeople myself for a time that is convenient for me so i dont have any issues. That is your prerogative, but the landlord has additional legal oblogations for the gas safety check

but for some reason the LL insists that this plumber do the gas safety check, i've offered to get one done by someone local but he said no it has to be this plumber. As above, the landlord has legal obligations, they carry fines and, occasionally and even prison sentences, as has happened very recently. You cannot be left to your own devices with this one as you could cause all sorts of legal issues for your landlord.

Your landlord is NOT being difficult. As others have said, Gas Safety checks are often undertaken outside normal working hours, but as I posted earlier, that is not always acceptable and you can say no.

BUT... between you , you and your landlord are not getting this sorted. Sadly, the easiest option for your landlord might be to give you notice. Also, do be prepared for him to make an emergency entrance to your home with the gas man, as he has he right to under these circumstances.

I hope you can get this sorted amicably.

ihateminecraft · 09/03/2016 16:10

I must say I'm surprised your landlord has allowed the check to become overdue and agree he hasn't been very proactive in resolving this. When I arrange gas checks, I pass the tenant's details to the gas man well before the check is due and inform the tenant I have done so. I agree the arrangements should be made between the contractor and tenants - it would not be practical for landlord/agent to act as middle man. However, on the rare occasions the contractor has trouble booking an appointment, he will let me know. I will then write to the tenant informing them that the gas check cannot be allowed to expire and, if I don't hear from them by X date, our contractor will gain access with the keys on X date. That usually prompts a response!

I have to say that even the most awkward of tenants will usually accommodate a gas check, presumably because they know it's because it's a legal requirement and we have their best interests at heart.

Buckinbronco · 09/03/2016 18:12

Xenapants you've misunderstood. The gas safety certificate was late last year because of the plumbers inability to make a convinient appointment (in 5 months) he just kept turning up when he was in the area and missing OP being in.

It was the landlords responsibility to ensure that this happened in those 5 months, not the tenants. And the landlord doesn't seem to have given much of a crap about it. And now it's happening again

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