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Original poster

Gas Safety Check

52 replies

Gingerkittykat · 15/04/2020 17:07

I've just had a letter stating that my annual gas service will take place on 23 April, I am a council tenant.

I can't believe this, I am in the vulnerable group and having a gas engineer who has visited multiple homes into my house puts me at risk.

I tried to phone the number on the letter but there was a recorded message saying the phoneline was not operational during this period of time.

If they can extend car MOTS right now why can't they do the same for gas safety?

I have emailed my local councillor but not heard back yet.

OP posts:
CherryBakebadly · 15/04/2020 17:08

This is really important to have done, legally it’s required.

We had one and it was fine - we opened all doors and then isolated, and the engineer didn’t touch anything except the doorbell and boiler.

PumpkinP · 15/04/2020 17:09

I don’t see the problem tbh

Comefromaway · 15/04/2020 17:11

It is a legal requirement for your council to make every effort to carry out this check. There has been no relaxing of rules unlike MOT.

Unless you are in the shielding group then you should allow it to take place.

There are procedures in place for not being able to get a qualified gas engineer o do it, or for not being able to access the property but they have to document the attempts they have made.

Under normal conditions you would be risking your tenancy by refusing access but I believe that evictions are not possible at the moment.

Sargass0 · 15/04/2020 17:13

if you're actually shielding then some councils are holding off for a little while.
If you're vulnerable, then they will practice social distance and hygiene measures.

Imboredinthehouse · 15/04/2020 17:17

Well if you are driving on less than ideal tyres or you lights/indicators don’t work properly then yes there is a risk that a crash could crash but if you have a gas leak then, one flick of the light switch-boom!

That said I have an extremely vulnerable person shielded at home and I’m not sure I would want them in.

TheGreatWave · 15/04/2020 17:23

They will be wearing full PPE. Make sure they can have the easiest route to access the boiler and stay in another room.

oldbagface · 15/04/2020 17:25

Place marking

lorn195 · 15/04/2020 17:25

It is a legal requirement, but where I work they are ensuring that the engineers are fully clothed in PPE, and have a checklist before they enter the property.

mencken · 15/04/2020 17:31

gas person doesn't want to pick it up any more than you do, and is at much higher risk given that he is forced to go into people's homes.

of course no-one who owns a home ever has a gas safety check, but it is the law for tenanted properties and with good reason.

no, you won't get evicted for refusing (that can't be done in normal times) but it is for your benefit.

Original poster
Gingerkittykat · 15/04/2020 17:57

I know they cap the gas supply if they can't get access. They try to get access twice and then on the third attempt they can break the door down. I do understand the importance of the check but I have a working CO alarm and would be able to smell as gas leak.

I will wait until my local councillor gets back to me before I make a decision.

They would need to access the hall, living room and kitchen. The back boiler is behind the gas fire in the living room (I never use this fire) and the cooker and control panel is in the kitchen

OP posts:
Jdabbers · 15/04/2020 18:12

@@gingerkittykat
I am a landlord and I understand your concerns, one of my tenants raised this to the mgt company as the gas safety inspection was due

In the end the agreed to stay in a part of the house (upstairs) and have no contact with the engineer. He was wearing full PPE for his own protection and theres. My other tenant was happy for the inspection to take place whilst they went grocery shopping and her husband took their son for exercise as they would be out of the house anyhow. The mgt company let the engineer in and waited outside until they were completed.

I can promise you, they do not want to touch ANYTHING that they really don't have to xx

Original poster
Gingerkittykat · 15/04/2020 19:44

I got an email back from the councillor and he is going to raise my concerns with the appropriate department.

OP posts:
FishOnPillows · 15/04/2020 22:44

I rent privately and apparently my gas safety check was overdue. The gas safety register classes routine annual inspections as low risk for safety reasons, therefore is advising against right now. However, landlords still have a legal obligation - but only to show they’ve tried. Therefore my lettings agent have made a proforma for tenants to sign simply saying that they understand their annual safety check is due, but are requesting to postpone it until after lockdown restrictions have eased, and to confirm that there is a working CO monitor at the property.

Hillocrew · 15/04/2020 22:49

Get the check done ffs
There's ways you can manage risks regarding coronavirus however no way of managing risks if your gas isn't safe.

HeIenaDove · 16/04/2020 01:09

Depends on who is doing it. HA tenants have had trouble with some engineers from certain companies who cock up these checks so the boiler doesnt work and then they will have to keep coming back and back to fix it creating more risk.

How many people have died from gas explosions in the last four months compared with how many from COVID19

HeIenaDove · 16/04/2020 01:21

EJ Swift
@SwiftyEJ
·
10h
Engineer came today to do mandatory gas safety check. As I'm shielding in 'at risk' category I was assured he would have full PPE. He had regular safety gloves & a dust mask so told him I wasn't happy to allow access. He will return tomorrow with protective suit etc Confused face

twitter.com/SwiftyEJ/status/1250421830071898113?s=20

TheGreatWave · 16/04/2020 08:12

Helena can you stop finding one example to try to prove how bad HA's are.

There are thousands of HA workers, doing their damn best to support tenants at this difficult time. Just because you can find one Twitter post of some bad practice, does not mean it is universal.

You won't find the nice outcome stories, for various reasons they don't reach SM, but they are there.

QuimJongUn · 16/04/2020 10:42

Mine was due on the 20th. I called my LL (council) and they were happy to leave it until June - I have an underlying health condition but I'm not on the shielding list.

They will be wearing full PPE

Ours aren't - I asked and the fact they won't be is one of the reasons I didn't want them in my home.

I'm pretty laid back about all this generally - certainly not one of the egg-washing, post-quarantining, essentials and gruel for a treat only types - but I do draw the line at someone coming into my home who's been in countless other houses, going into every room (they check vents etc). Our flat is small and there's nowhere we can 'hide' while the engineer is here - and they always come in pairs from our council, too.

Incidentally magistrates aren't sitting at the moment so don't be alarmed or concerned by threats to take you to court to get a warrant to gain entry. The lady I spoke to yesterday confirmed this, and that the letter I received was a standard one sent to everyone.

Original poster
Gingerkittykat · 16/04/2020 13:45

Quim, I feel reassured reading your post that you managed to have the check delayed till June.

OP posts:
mencken · 16/04/2020 15:52

it is worth noting that housing associations are quite notorious (the management, not the employees) although Shelter etc don't shout about that as it doesn't fit the 'rich landlord' model they love so much.

HA's will be exempt from the forthcoming electrical safety regulations too. So while none of this does a disservice to hardworking employees, HelenaDove has a lot of good points. And is presumably a victim of bad practice.

R1R2 · 16/04/2020 16:23

@mencken
HA are exempt from the updated electrical testing regimes because they already have systems in place for it whereas private landlords have skated by their obligations for years.

flowersandpetals123 · 16/04/2020 16:58

My husband is a gas engineer,for the council.
He does not have PPE
infact the risk assessment has stated they don't even need face masks
So they have been given nothing
Well apart from a 50ml bottle of hand gel.!!!
He doesn't want to be there, none of them do, they are scared and most have small children and vunerable people at home but are being forced to put themselves, their families and the tenants at massive risk.
Oh and they have to work in 6/7 properties a day with no hand washing facilities in between. They have been told if they want to wash their hands then they need to use the tenants sinks...
one engineer was sent to a property where the tenant 'had suspected coronavirus'
Luckily he refused to enter.

They are desperately trying to work with their unions to get protection in place
The head of the council didn't turn up to the meeting which shows how much they care

I'm hoping the more tenants that refuse entry and complain will mean things have to change..

Rant over

TheGreatWave · 16/04/2020 19:52

I am appalled to hear that there are HA/councils expecting staff to go out without necessary protection both for staff safety and that of the tenants.

Flowers I hope your DH manages to get a resolution. My local council is asking residents to disinfect their bin handles so it is shocking another council (department) can be so blasé.