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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is overkill from the housing association/gas company?

27 replies

Fluppys · 07/10/2025 12:12

Had a phonecall to arrange a gas safety check at my home which I booked.

I am down on my housing associations records as vulnerable as I have AuDhd and several mental health conditions.

The appointment was booked and I was here waiting. It was between 12 and 4pm. At 3.45pm I desperately needed the toilet (I have bowel issues too) and of course thatbwas the time he knocked on the door.

I tried my best to get downstairs quickly but he had gone and not left anything theough door for me to ring him and say I was here.

Few days later the housing ring to rebook the gas check which is next week.

I've just had a letter through the door from a gas company with a loadnof legal jargon spouting the housing act, twnancy agreements and talk of injunctions with me being liable for court costs etc...

It's put me in a tale spin and now I'm trying to ring round and find someone to sit with me on the day incase i need the toilet again and miss them. I have OCD and now I have convinced myself I am going to court.

AIBU to think that after one missed appointment and having already rearranged it, that that sort of letter is OTT? You would think they had been trying for months to get in the house?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fluppys · 07/10/2025 12:15

Sorry the letter isnt from a gas company its from a SOLICITORS!

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 07/10/2025 12:21

This kind of thing causes me so much stress. Don’t people understand that the human body can not be on call for 4 hours without interruptions?

I am also ASD.

shellyleppard · 07/10/2025 12:23

Could you ring your housing supplier and ask them to tell the gas service people to knock and wait till you answer x

childofthe607080s · 07/10/2025 12:24

Just write back that you were there and that you would ask them to wait for you to answer the door and remind them that you waited all afternoon and they couldn’t wait 5 minutes for you to get downstairs'

if you want to be nice

“can I suggest that next time you phone 5 mins ahead of time so I can be waiting at the door ready and so avoid this problem “

CatsorDogsrule · 07/10/2025 12:25

Can you ask them to call you when on the way? Or alternatively leave a note on the door asking them to wait a few minutes for you to get to the door.

Original poster
Fluppys · 07/10/2025 12:27

Apologies for all the typos. It shook me up. I know it's not really a big deal. The logical side of my head knows that but my OCD will be telling me all week that if I miss it again I am going to court/be arrested/ lose my tenancy etc

OP posts:
Bearbookagainandagain · 07/10/2025 12:28

I disagree actually. As far as they know, you've scheduled an appointment and weren't there at the agreed time.

It's a good thing they remind you that you could be liable for cost / in breach of your agreement if you miss a second appointment. Some councils would send you an invoice straight away for the missed appointment.

The issue with the gas engineer should be reported though, let the council know you were home and just needed a few more minutes to answer the door.

Autumn1990 · 07/10/2025 12:30

They should ring before they leave the previous appointment. That’s what the gas engineers who fit new meters do.

Octavia64 · 07/10/2025 12:31

Put a note on your door saying it can take you a few minutes to get to the door and can visitors please wait a couple of minutes.

OverlyFragrant · 07/10/2025 12:32

They do this all the time. I don't even have gas in my home and every single year they send me bullying letters about my annual gas safety check and how its a legal obligation, court, loss of tenancy etc.
Annoyingly they don't even wait 12 months, they do it every 10 so over time I've had 10 in 8 years, all to look at an empty gas box and go "yes all safe".

Ridiculous.

1apenny2apenny · 07/10/2025 12:32

Just leave a note of the door saying you are in but will be a couple of minutes and please can they wait, make sure you put the time on it.

whirlyhead · 07/10/2025 12:32

Why not just stick a note on the front door saying you are home but please give you a few minutes to get to the door?

Catpiece · 07/10/2025 12:33

Complete overkill. Just a stock letter. Rebook. X

ladyofshertonabbas · 07/10/2025 12:34

On the day, maybe out a note on your door saying ‘I am in but it might take a few minutes to get to the door.’ Not ideal but might help stress levels.

Original poster
Fluppys · 07/10/2025 12:40

Catpiece · 07/10/2025 12:33

Complete overkill. Just a stock letter. Rebook. X

But people who are listed on their system as having mental health issues shouldnt be sent them so quickly. I told the woman on the phone that I was in the house. They know that i have OCD etc

It might not be a big deal for the majority of people but Its going to keep me up at night worrying

OP posts:
Bushmillsbabe · 07/10/2025 12:44

I visit homes as a health professional and our policy is to knock at agreed time, call patients phone number to check if home, if no answer, to wait 5 mins and then leave. I suggest asking them to call you when they arrive, take your phone with you to toilet etc, so can answer and let them know you will be down in a minute and to please wait.

Friendlygingercat · 07/10/2025 13:14

Evicting a tenant from a HA or council flat is very difficult even for extreme anti social behaviour. Threats about losing your tenancy for a missed appointment are empty ones. You cannot be evicted without a court order. Write them a stern letter and int out that as you have a disability the Equality Act applied and they have failed to make reasonable adjustment. That should concentrate their minds wonderfully.

My nephew (also registered disabled) had this every year (no gas) until the entire block had the gas removed. Its quite common to get a letter or flyer saying an egineer will call on x day to check the fire door/water sprinkler/whatever and the actual call is on the day before or afterwards. How they expect working people to manage have no idea.

UnhappyHobbit · 07/10/2025 13:37

The reason why it is complete overkill is because it’s illegal for any landlord to not have a valid yearly gas safety test. If it expired, they are at real risk of being sued etc if things go wrong.

Im sure you would rearrange, but there’s plenty of tenants that don’t and leave the landlords/housing association in real bother for not doing so. Hence the heavy handedness.

Catpiece · 07/10/2025 14:01

Fluppys · 07/10/2025 12:40

But people who are listed on their system as having mental health issues shouldnt be sent them so quickly. I told the woman on the phone that I was in the house. They know that i have OCD etc

It might not be a big deal for the majority of people but Its going to keep me up at night worrying

Show quote history

I agree. They don’t give a shit. Just rearrange x

HalloweenVibe · 07/10/2025 15:06

This has nothing to do with the housing association though. It had happened to my DH when he went out for a pint of milk during lunch. The gas engeering arrived 5 minutes early and he wasn't home. The engineer left without waiting and we missed the appointment.

sciaticafanatica · 07/10/2025 15:12

Why did you not put a note on the door?
a gas check is legal and it needs to be done

MaeTeekay14 · 07/10/2025 15:18

Hi OP, Housing Officer here. Please don't worry about the letter that you got. It is part of a process that all social landlords have to follow, as failure to document these steps could result in legal action being taken against the organisation. I agree with you 100%, the letters are VERY heavy handed and to vulnerable tenants, this can cause high levels of anxiety. I would definitely suggest that you contact your housing association and advise them of your circumstances. Demand that they log you as a vulnerable tenant and tell them that if they don't, you will report them to the housing ombudsman. Hope that helps, please don't panic 🥰

JenniferBooth · 07/10/2025 15:24

Bearbookagainandagain · 07/10/2025 12:28

I disagree actually. As far as they know, you've scheduled an appointment and weren't there at the agreed time.

It's a good thing they remind you that you could be liable for cost / in breach of your agreement if you miss a second appointment. Some councils would send you an invoice straight away for the missed appointment.

The issue with the gas engineer should be reported though, let the council know you were home and just needed a few more minutes to answer the door.

My HA has not turned up FOUR TIMES for a stock condition survey and are now harassing the tenant to book a fifth appointment. Funny how it doesnt work both ways.

JenniferBooth · 07/10/2025 15:25

OverlyFragrant · 07/10/2025 12:32

They do this all the time. I don't even have gas in my home and every single year they send me bullying letters about my annual gas safety check and how its a legal obligation, court, loss of tenancy etc.
Annoyingly they don't even wait 12 months, they do it every 10 so over time I've had 10 in 8 years, all to look at an empty gas box and go "yes all safe".

Ridiculous.

Yep Same here

thaisweetchill · 07/10/2025 15:29

Leave a note on your door when you go to the toilet?