creating communities to be proud of
gas servicing and safety information for tenants
Every year we service and check all of our properties which use gas heating appliances.
Here we explain how you can help ensure your gas central heating appliances are serviced yearly and are well maintained. We have also included some useful contact numbers if there is an emergency or when you need to speak to someone in our gas servicing team.
What happens if I smell gas or fumes?
- Turn off the gas at the meter.
- Open all doors and windows.
- Don’t use electrical switches.
- Call Transco gas emergency services on 0800 111 999 but make sure you do not call from inside your home.
What happens if my system breaks down?
Call us on 0845 849 2000 option 1 and Mears will arrange for an engineer to attend.
What happens if I fail to allow you access to my home?
We take the safety of our tenants and their neighbours seriously. If you do not allow us access to your home after repeated attempts, we will:
- Tell you that we will be passing your details to our solicitors
- Apply to the County Court for an injunction to gain access to your home
- Ask the Court to order you to pay our legal costs
What happens if the appliances in my home are faulty but I still use them?
It is an offence to use, or for us to allow you to use, a gas appliance which is known to be unsafe.
What happens if I can’t be at home on my appointment date?
Phone us on 0845 849 2000 option 1 and Mears will arrange a convenient appointment.
What happens if we find a gas cooker that is not working properly?
If we find a cooker that is faulty or unsafe we will tell the tenant, cut off the gas supply to it and complete the necessary gas safety regulations paperwork. It is the tenant’s responsibility to maintain and repair gas cookers. Always use a Gas Safe registered gas engineer to repair the appliance. A list of engineers can be found in the yellow pages.
The dangers of carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas which can cause serious illness or even kill. Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect as you can’t see it, smell it or taste it.
What are the danger signs?
- Yellow or brown staining/soot deposits on or around appliances
- Pilot lights that often blow out
- Increased condensation inside windows
- Yellow flame rather than blue
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Tiredness, headaches, stomach pains, chest pains, nausea, vomiting, erratic behaviour, drowsiness, breathlessness and giddiness.
If you or your family experience any of these symptoms and believe that carbon monoxide could be responsible, you should contact Transco gas emergency services on 0800 111 999 and seek medical advice immediately.
Carbon monoxide detectors
We recommend the use of carbon monoxide detectors where they are installed, tested and serviced following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The detectors are only an alarm and you must allow our engineers into your home to carry out the annual service as your tenancy agreement states.
Our duty as your landlord
We are committed to your safety and insist that all appliances are serviced every 12 months. As your landlord we will ensure:
- Gas fittings and flues installed by us are maintained and in a safe condition.
- All installations, maintenance and gas servicing is carried out by a gas safe registered installer.
- Any flue or chimneys are checked when we carry out your gas appliance’s annual service. We will not service or repair gas cookers.
- We keep a copy of each annual gas service.
- You will get a copy of the current gas safety certificate for your home when completed.
- All our gas engineers will carry a Mears ID badge and a Gas Safe photograph ID card.
- We will contact you when your appliances are due for an annual gas service and advise you of an appointment date.
Your duty as a tenant
As a Shoreline tenant you too have responsibilities:
- You should allow us access to your home to carry out maintenance and safety checks on our gas appliances, as stated in your tenancy agreement.
- You must let authorised employees of Shoreline, or other agents, into your home at all reasonable hours to carry out any inspections or any work we consider necessary. This is to ensure the property and surrounding properties do not put you or anyone else at risk. We will give you 24 hours advance notice in writing, if possible.
- If you want to replace a gas appliance, always seek permission from the Heat and Asbestos team on 0845 849 2000.
- Never use a gas appliance if you think it’s not working properly. Report it by telephoning 0845 849 2000 option 1.
- Never cover an appliance or block/obstruct any convection air vents, fixed ventilation grilles or airbricks.
- Always ask a gas professional to carry out repairs to your gas appliances.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using appliances.
People should only sleep in bedrooms and not rooms where gas appliances are installed. If a room with a gas appliance must be used to sleep in, please contact us for further advice.
Always ask callers at your door to show their identity card before letting them into your home. We do not authorise work to be carried out in your home without arranging this with you in advance.
Customer Feedback
We are continuously trying to improve our service and your opinion is valuable to us. Please tell us how you found your experience with Mears by completing this online form.
Useful Numbers
Health and Safety Executive
For further advice about gas safety you can contact the Health and Safety Executive Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363.
Gas Safe Register
If you are unsure whether someone is Gas Safe registered you can contact Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or visit the Gas Safe website www.gassaferegister.co.uk
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© 2007-2010 Shoreline Housing Partnership Ltd. Registered Charity Number 1107876. |
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