Gas safety check

[imoment]

The lettings agency has said they have to do a gas safety check but I'm at risk and it doesn't expire for another month.

They seem to say even if I'm self isolating that it needs to be carried out else I have all responsibility.

Is this right? I want to at least delay it until contract tracing is up and running and iv'e still got 3 weeks before it expires.

[Gingerkittykat]

This threads making me want to head butt a wall

People in council property moanning about the council wanting to do work on the house

Fuck off, I'm lucky the council I rent from are good with repairs but when they turn up randomly without even giving you a day and then moan when you are not in it is annoying.

I know things are shit for private tenants but surely the solution is to build more social housing and sort out the private rental marked instead of resentment towards council tenants instead of making everyone have a miserable time.

The benefits like council tax benefit and money towards rent are also available to those in the private sector who are on a low income so it's not a case of scrounging council tenants, in fact they can pay a hell of a lot more to cover private rents than council ones.

I'm in the position where I've also fought to have my gas safety check delayed but can't. I'm terrified of someone bringing the virus into my home and had even considered letting them switch my gas off to avoid it.

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

LakieLady

I am very much aware that councils operate differently.

What are you disagreeing with?

Band A is the lowest band of council tax, the figure I gave is an example and a ball park figure, at no point in my post have I said anything is certain.

I’ve clearly said it’s an example and ball park figure and specifically advised it’s means tested.
Depending on individual’s circumstances and household income the household may even eligible for 100% council reduction.

There's no help with water or sewerage charges either.

This is incorrect I’m afraid, the water boards help those on low incomes, your landlord/HA/council needs to apply to the water board on behalf of the customer. I can’t remember the name of this in hand, however I will be back in the office in a few days and will advise you if this help.

In the HA and Councils I work in these come under miscellaneous charges, however we literally save our tenants hundreds of pounds a year.

[LakieLady]

She will be on a low income, so therefore universal tax will subsidies her council tax, rent and possibly water and service rates (which tbf is rare on private rental) and even HB don’t pay water and sewerage rates (however do if your income bracket for the household is 16k or less or over a certain age)

Example say her council tax is Band A which is £98 (ball park) per month which is lowest band. She will only pay £1.50 if her income is below 16k.

In England, every council has its own scheme and they vary a lot, so unless the income and the council are known, you can't say for certain. The max you get in many areas, including mine, is an 80% reduction. A band A property here carries a council tax of almost £1,600 pa, so even someone on a very low income would be paying £20 a month or so.

There's no help with water or sewerage charges either.

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

Didn’t know the rent thing was means tested. Everyone I know who private rents seems to pay loads and struggle loads

Unfortunately that’s why so many now are living in poverty and are reliant on food banks sadly, however they may be eligible for help and is always ask them to speak to some sort of money matters team within their housing provider. (Or if private citizens advice, Christians against poverty, step change etc) housing tenants can also use these services.

[ChilliCheese123]

@hard I seeeee.. I think she means she pays that a month and that is adding her water and council tax on? So her rent is say £250 and she pays £75 tax and £50 water

Didn’t know the rent thing was means tested. Everyone I know who private rents seems to pay loads and struggle loads

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

Does you friend also pay bedroom tax?

[anyoldname76]

I work in a heating company that has to carry out these landlord gas safety checks, it's been horrendous since all this started, the amount of abusive phonecalls I've had is unbelievable. the end line it's a legal requirement and for your own safety. If it's a responsible company carrying out the checks they should be using PPE which our engineers are.

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

HB don’t pay water and sewerage rates (however do if your income bracket for the household is 16k or less or over a certain age)

Sorry that should say you’re water board will pay the charges, however your council/HA will need to make an application to the board.

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

She will be getting subsidised rent and council tax even if it’s private.

She will be on a low income, so therefore universal tax will subsidies her council tax, rent and possibly water and service rates (which tbf is rare on private rental) and even HB don’t pay water and sewerage rates (however do if your income bracket for the household is 16k or less or over a certain age)

Example say her council tax is Band A which is £98 (ball park) per month which is lowest band. She will only pay £1.50 if her income is below 16k.

If most of her wages goes on it, it means her rent etc... is means tested due to her low income.

[TiddleTaddleTat]

Yes, we had our boiler serviced today for the same reason (owned house). Asked the plumber to wear mask and gloves and he did so. It's possible to have it carried out safely.

[ChilliCheese123]

@haud sorry I might be being thick but what do you mean by private rent being means tested ? She can’t afford a deposit on a house and can’t get HA so private is the only option. Most of her wage goes on it

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

Today 20:51 ChilliCheese123

For example my good friend and colleague pays £375 for her three bed a month with water and council tax included in that

This would be means tested and rent and council tax do not come under the same same bracket no matter where the live in the UK.

Our other colleague rents 1 mile away and it’s £850 a month !!

Again this is means tested.

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

*As for the rest of you, how many people die from boilers blowing up in the UK? Theres 60 people that die a year from carbonmonoxide and that includes all the people that never get their boiler serviced, commercial kitchens and woodburners.

Please stop reporting on statistics that you clearly don’t even have a basic understanding off, anyone can do a quick google, and come up with the equation 2+2 =7

The figure you’ve quoted is only for England and Wales, who have quite stringent and protected gas safe legislation.

The US and other countries who don’t have gas safe legislation figures are horrific and result in many many deaths and tens of thousands of hospitalisation! That’s not including the life changing side effects.

Not people that have 5 weeks left on a boiler certificate

Don’t you say your gas service was 3 weeks away not 5

[HeIenaDove]

Exactly @HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend Which proves that people arent interested when its something positive. Bit like the papers really.

[Phifedean123]

I've got mine on Friday. I have a shielding DP and I'm a carer for my dad too (different household). My two year old is going to be here as well. I'm not exactly thrilled it's happening I'm a bit anxious but I know it's important to have done.
I am gonna take my two year old for a walk whilst DP stays in the bedroom. As long as serviceperson is wearing correct PPE (I've been reassured they will be) then I know the risk is small. I'll clean afterwards for good measure. I totally get the worry thouvh cos I'm feeling it too but I wouldn't be comfortable with not having the boiler checked either. As small as those odds are that the boilers dodgy I feel I can't risk it.

[ChilliCheese123]

*derail

[ChilliCheese123]

For example my good friend and colleague pays £375 for her three bed a month with water and council tax included in that

Our other colleague rents 1 mile away and it’s £850 a month !!

That’s an different issue though and it’s not council/HA tenants faults that private landlords charge so much...

Sorry massive detail !

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

You’re argument is a post from 2016 which consisted of 8 posts in total and 4 of them from you.

[ChilliCheese123]

I never inferred people get houses for free, I’m well aware that they pay for it ! You can’t deny that it’s often a damn sight cheaper that they’d be paying for a worse property privately though !

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

*Does not

[HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend]

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend i was responding to someone inferring that tenants get their homes for free, They dont. And im not the only one who objects to this stereotype.

I don’t like the stereotype and don’t agree with it however she technically isn’t inaccurate.

Tenants pay rent for the market value rent and in line with with inflation, not because of the fixtures and fittings inside.

That’s social housing, the decent homes standard does impact on the rent value.

You may not like it but that’s the reality.

[HeIenaDove]

@Nicknacky Fair enough. Im pretty happy to leave things as they stand

[HeIenaDove]

Yes my posts about HAs are always soooooooooooo negative.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2719481-to-think-this-housing-association-is-giving-great-support-to-domestic-abuse-victims

[Nicknacky]

HelenaDove I kinda dread when I see your name on a thread because I know it won’t be long until you mention Grenfell then start linking long long articles on the thread. People can discuss housing issues without it having to involve Grenfell, dreadful as we all know it was.

I know it’s a subject dear to your heart, but it can’t be shoehorned into all housing threads.

[HeIenaDove]

@ChilliCheese123 You need to read my post at 20.10 i said i didnt have a problem with it. Since our HA ditched the God awful outside company they were using and took it back in house things have got better.