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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call and postpone the gas inspection?

36 replies

Crumpetsforthequeen · 28/06/2020 14:54

I'm in the sheilding group and have stayed in the house and been super careful since March, I feel I've been bullied by my landlord, estate agent and the engineer into getting the annual gas inspection done.

I gave in and arranged it for the next couple of days but I'm getting increasing uncomfortable about it as it's approaching, I know he would be wearing gloves and a mask but I just feel so uncomfortable with him coming into the house, he'll have mixed with colleagues and been in people's houses doing emergency repairs and inspections in so many homes throughout the pandemic it makes me nervous as I also have a 10 month old and 7 year old, the 10 month old we don't know yet if he has the same condition as me that is making me shield.

This guy would have to go through the living room to go upstairs in the bathroom to get to the boiler and then back through the living room to go to the kitchen as we have gas hobs. I'd obviously clean everything after he'd left but I'd be so anxious for ages afterwards (I have really bad anxiety atm)

I get that as of the 6th I can go out and meet people of up to 6 but that's outside and with people I know. I'm just irritated because every year they give me a days notice and get shitty with me if I can't do it and it feels this way also. I've read up on the law and whilst it is required by law, when it comes to those shielding as long as the landlord has made attempts to book it and been in contact with the Tennant that would be acceptable to postpone.

DH says I'm just going to cause a fuss and that's the last thing I want but what was the point in me sheilding for 3 months if I'm going to be forced to have a stranger who has been here there and everywhere in my house that could cause risk?

Wwyd? Sorry for the long post, didn't expect to write that much.

OP posts:
gotothecooler · 28/06/2020 14:57

This is a difficult one because it's a legal requirement. My dad was told by the council they would for e entry if he didn't let the guy in. He let him in and stayed in a different room then wore a mask and cleaned all the surface where the guy had been. It was about 6 weeks ago and he has been fine since.

gotothecooler · 28/06/2020 14:57

He was told they would force entry

gotothecooler · 28/06/2020 14:59

Sorry, I missed you have a DH. He could do the clean around after for you so eliminating your risk further. My dad lives alone so had to do it himself.

TerrapinStation · 28/06/2020 15:01

Have you posted this before?

If not someone has posted the exact same problem and iirc was told by pretty much everyone that it's a legal requirement to have a gas inspection and your landlord has the right ensure it's done

Original poster
Crumpetsforthequeen · 28/06/2020 15:01

Yes it is difficult as it's law but the amount of people they are bullying into it is awful

I can't believe they told your dad that 😕 I'm glad he's OK though, it's just a big worry especially as the nearest hospital to us is 40 minutes away so we've had to be even more careful as that 40 minute ride could make a huge difference.

OP posts:
WombatStewForTea · 28/06/2020 15:02

The risk has got to be very very minimal surely. Come 1st Aug there's no shielding what so ever. What do you think is actually going to change between now and then? If anything I'd imagine it's safer now with less of the virus in circulation than it will be in a few weeks when people can go to the pub

bridgetreilly · 28/06/2020 15:03

Well, would you rather have a gas explosion or Covid-19?

They don't do these checks for fun. They do it to protect you from real and serious danger.

The point of shielding is to MINIMISE risk. But life is risky. There are all kinds of risks that we all have to manage all the time. There is no point focussing all your efforts on eliminating one kind of risk, only to make yourself much more vulnerable to a different risk.

You need to have the inspection. You don't have to be in the room when it happens. Everything can be washed properly afterwards. But it would be incredibly stupid to refuse this SAFETY inspection.

LakieLady · 28/06/2020 15:04

He was told they would force entry

Unless the law has changed, they have to get a court order to do that.

Original poster
Crumpetsforthequeen · 28/06/2020 15:05

No I haven't posted this before.
I did look into the law regarding it and it states that as long as the landlord has tried its acceptable to postpone, I'm not saying cancel entirely

And tbf in the past I've had the inspection due in February and they haven't got to it til April so they're not exactly the best with these things

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 28/06/2020 15:06

I had mine this week, it was fine, in and out in 10 minutes and he didn't come near me.

ShalomToYouJackie · 28/06/2020 15:06

It is a legal requirement, our Lettings Agent got really shitty when I said I wasn't comfortable with it and they said they'd be coming anyway.

The contractor wore a mask and gloves and we wiped down everything he touched just incase and we've been fine

rawlikesushi · 28/06/2020 15:07

The landlord isn't doing it for fun or to annoy you, he's paying for it because it's a legal obligation to keep you and your family safe.

It would be interesting to compare the odds of catching covid-19 and being ill with the odds of harm arising from a faulty gas appliance.

He will be well prepared, in order to keep himself safe as much as you. You can let dh handle it and clean afterwards. Only 1 in 1700 people in the community is infected, if that helps you to put things into perspective.

OneMoreLight · 28/06/2020 15:08

Let them in, wear a mask and go in another room whilst they are there.

Let them know they need to wear a mask and gloves too.

Clean the area after they leave.

If there was a gas leak or parts of the gas system are nearing the end of their life it could be dangerous.

Bluesheep8 · 28/06/2020 15:12

Well, would you rather have a gas explosion or Covid-19?

It's a legal requirement op, both for your safety and that of your neighbours.

Original poster
Crumpetsforthequeen · 28/06/2020 15:17

Thank you all for your answers, just to clarify I am aware of why they need doing, I don't think it's just for fun and I do understand what could happen if it's not done, I'm just worried about it.

After having no contact with the outside world since March it does give me anxiety, that being said I guess I'll just have to suck it up and let it happen.

OP posts:
rosiejaune · 28/06/2020 15:23

YABU. Your house blowing up/setting on fire would affect both your family and others. There's a reason they are a legal requirement.

The virus is not going anywhere. It will circulate. You will be exposed at some point, and in the meantime, your gas safety check needs doing.

You should be concentrating on a) managing your anxiety and b) how to make sure it is done at minimal risk, rather than refusing it entirely.

Toiletrollbuyer · 28/06/2020 15:25

I do electrical inspections, trust me I am more worried about coming into your house than you are about having a stranger in. Between each inspection I wash and anti bac, and I wear a mask, gloves, insist the resident is in another room and I alway clean surfaces before I leave.
We are clean, we have to be for our own and our families safety. A faulty gas appliance can kill you with no warning so have the check done

letmethinkaboutitfornow · 28/06/2020 15:29

This again? 😒
YABU! - wouldn’t want to be your neighbour in case anything happens!

Sirzy · 28/06/2020 15:30

I think it’s very unfair to accuse them of bullying when what they are actually trying to do is keep the property safe and to meet the legal requirements.

Let your husband deal with him and you stay out of the way with the kids

lanthanum · 28/06/2020 16:11

It may be worth letting the company doing the gas inspection know that you are shielding and very anxious. Everyone is a bit different about how anxious and how cautious they are, and if they know that you are particularly worried then they can make sure the engineer is told to respect that. If he turns up at the door with mask on and sanitiser in his hands, that will probably help allay your fears. Plan to keep in a different room. (We had to have some essential work done; only one of us even saw the workman - the others stayed behind closed doors until he'd gone.)

gotothecooler · 28/06/2020 16:12

Unless the law has changed, they have to get a court order to do that.

Yes, they said they would do what they had to to gain entry. Force by law, I didn't mean brute force.

OP...

Yes it is difficult as it's law but the amount of people they are bullying into it is awful

You understand it is law, so why are you saying people are getting bullied? It is LAW. They are simply doing what they are legally obliged to do.

I'm not sure why you can't just stay out the persons way and get your DH to clean surfaces after they leave Confused

Backbackandforth · 28/06/2020 16:51

I appreciate your anxiety re covid risk but surely you need to weight up risk of boiler malfunctioning?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/06/2020 17:02

There is a surface spray called zoono71 microshield which is being used by various industries to treat surfaces - it kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces for up to 28 days.

You have to clean beforehand, and read and follow the instructions properly - but if you could do that before the gas engineer came, that might help you feel more comfortable with the inspector being there.

Their customer service is good, and the delivery is quick - you might get it in time for the inspection, or you might need to postpone the inspection - but I’m sure they wouldn’t have an issue with a postponement.

ShaunaRae · 28/06/2020 17:04

I work as admin for gas engineers and know first hand the importance of them. The landlord would be highly fined and also the estate agents as they have a duty to maintain the property. In my experience if you refuse entry they do have the power to enter the property without your permission. I understand the fear of letting them in but anyone who is reputable will follow safety procedures and will be out of your home within 20/30 mins.

SueGoesOutWithOtherGuys · 28/06/2020 17:11

I had mine last week - in and out in 15 mins.

I'm also shielding and I was a bit worried but it is a legal requirement and it has to be done.

The gas engineer had a mask and gloves. The boiler in the kitchen is next to the garden so I left that door open and stayed in another room while he worked, and for some time after he left. There was nothing to sign - I have no complaints at all.