Do I need to inform building management agent that I'm having gas installed?

[Mimicat44]

I've been lucky enough to be offered free connection to gas and installation of central heating as I'm a single mother on a low income. I own my flat (mortgaged) but its leasehold and the communal building areas are managed by an agent to whom I pay £55 a month. Do I need to let them know/get permission for having gas connected and boiler/radiators installed in my flat? Is there any reason they might object?

Check your lease. It will usually say what you need the freeholder's consent for. I would be very surprised if it didn't mention installation of services / utilities. I think its relevant to the other flats in the building from a risk point of view and may affect the insurance position.

Ok thank you! I hope they don't say i can't have it!

Deffinaty check your lease. You will have an obligation to seek landlords consent first. Generally gas is not installed in houses of multiple occupation (HMO) because of the risks to you, buy mainly other occupiers not in control of the gas installation or maintenance regime.

Hi thanks, I've been in touch with the maintenance company who are also the freeholders and they can't see any reason to object at the moment but are getting back to me once they've checked the lease

Is there a gas connection already there? Otherwise I can't see how you can get connected without letting the managing agents know as it will require running a gas pipe across, say, any common areas outside the property at the very least, drilling a hole to push the gas pipes into your building and, if you are not on the ground floor, running pipes either internally or externally up the building. You will also need to drill a large hole for the boiler flue and, as you don't own the common areas or the walls (these all belong to the freeholder), you would be in breach of your lease for doing anything that alters them.

Hello, yes you're right on all those points - just waiting for permission now :)

Sorry, I didn't see your update

No, thanks for replying I really appreciate it, it's good to have what I've been told by them confirmed as correct by someone else :)