Gas Servicing

As your landlord, we are bound by law to carry out an annual safety check on all our gas fittings installed in your home. As a tenant, you too have responsibilities. This leaflet sets out what these are, how to avoid putting yourself at risk from faulty gas fittings and what you can expect from South Shropshire Housing Association.

Our duty as your landlordWe are committed to your safety and we take responsibilities on gas safety very seriously. As your landlord we will ensure that:

• Gas fittings (appliances and pipework), and flues, installed by South Shropshire Housing Association are maintained in a safe condition.

• All installation, maintenance safety checks and annual gas servicing is carried out by a Gas Safe registered installer.

• A gas safety check and service is carried out on each relevant gas fitting/flue in your home every year. When you take up a new tenancy all gas appliances/flues will be checked before you move in, and we will give you a copy of the latest Landlord’s Gas Safety Record.

• We keep a record of each annual safety check and service.

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Your duty as a tenant• You should allow us prompt access to your home to carry out

maintenance or safety checks on our gas fittings/flues.

• You should ensure that any gas fittings which you own including your gas cooker are installed correctly and are checked annually for safety and serviced.

• You should always contact us before making any alterations to your home, no matter how minor.

• For your safety, always use a qualified Gas Safe registered installer to carry out any gas work in your home.

Failure to give reasonable access to your home to allow us to complete the annual safety check is dangerous for you, your family and your neighbours. It is also a breach of your tenancy conditions which could result in legal action to enforce access or end your tenancy.

A faulty gas appliance can give off Carbon Monoxide which might make you feel nauseous and, in high quantities, can KILL in minutes.

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Danger signs to look out forContact us immediately if you notice:

• Sooting or staining marks on or around the appliance

• A yellow or orange lazy flame – not crisp and blue.

• A higher level of condensation than normal in the room where the appliance is installed.

• Anyone in your household suffering from drowsiness, headaches, nausea or pains in the chest when using a gas appliance.

IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THESE SIGNS, TURN OFF THE APPLIANCE IMMEDIATELY AND REPORT IT TO SOUTH SHROPSHIRE HOUSING ASSOCIATION ON 01588 676200.

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Gas Safety TipsBy allowing us prompt access to your home and by following the tips below you can ensure the safety of gas appliances:

• Never try DIY with gas.

• Make sure you know where your gas meter is located and how to turn off the gas in the event of an emergency.

• Don’t block up air ventilation grilles and ensure that flue terminals are kept clear at all times.

• Never use a gas appliance if you think it’s not working properly.

• Never cover gas appliances.

• Be cautious if buying second hand gas appliances – don’t scrimp on safety.

• If for any reason you have to move to sleep in any room with a gas appliance, please contact South Shropshire Housing Association on 01588 676200 for further advice.

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Gas LeaksIf you think you can smell gas or fumes

• Turn off the gas at the meter

• Open windows

• Put out naked flames

• Don’t use electrical switches

• CALL THE NATIONAL GRID GAS EMERGENCY CALL CENTRE ON 0800 111 999 (This is a 24 hour emergency line)

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Your questions answeredQ How do I know when my gas safety check is due?

A You will receive a letter advising when our contractor, Total Response Ltd is due to be in your area to carry out the safety checks. An appointment will be given to you at that time but you will be given the opportunity to rearrange this if necessary, by telephoning customer services.

Q What will happen if I don’t allow the Association access to complete a gas safety check?

A As your landlord, we are bound by law to maintain and service our gas fittings every year, even if you do not use your gas. Your tenancy agreement states that you are obliged to allow access for the purpose of inspection and repair.

If you repeatedly refuse to co-operate, we will make an application for an injunction to the Court to force you to give us access to your home. Failure to comply with the injunction could result in a prison sentence.

If we have to do this, we will ask the Court to order that you pay all the legal costs. We could also seek possession of your home.

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Q Which gas fittings will South Shropshire Housing Association check?

A Your annual gas safety check will cover any gas fittings that have been installed by us. There will also be a visual inspection of any appliances which you own that are fitted to a flue maintained by the Association (i.e. chimney) and your gas cooker.

If we find a faulty appliance or fitting that does not belong to the Association we will disconnect and advise you to seek help from a qualified Gas Safe registered installer.

Q What will happen if a gas appliance fails the annual gas safety check?

A Our gas engineers will repair or replace the faulty appliance if it belongs to the Association. Your Landlord’s Gas Safety Record will include details of any repairs completed.

It is an offence to use, or for the Association to allow the use of, a gas appliance known to be unsafe.

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Q How do I know that the engineer is working for South Shropshire Housing Association?

A The safety check will be carried out by our gas contractor on behalf of South Shropshire Housing Association. You will be informed who this is and all the engineers carry an identification card. If you are in any doubt about the identity of the person calling at your home please call South Shropshire Housing Association 01588 676200.

Q I am not very mobile, will the engineer wait for me to get to the door when they call?

A We do everything we can to adapt our services to your needs, please speak to your Neighbourhood Services Officer and tell them what difficulties you have. We will make sure your needs are taken into account.

Q How do I know if a gas installer is registered?

A Gas Safe Register is the new name and official stamp for gas safety in Great Britain. The logo to look for is the following.

This replaces the CORGI registration scheme and is mandatory for anyone carrying out gas work. All Gas Safe registered installers will carry an identification card which has this logo.

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Code of ConductWe have a Code of Conduct that sets out the behaviour required by those people carrying out work in your home. This includes how they should treat you and your property and the need for them to clean up after any work.

Service StandardsWe will:

• Provide a minimum of 7 days notice of when our gas contractor will be in your area to carry out a gas safety inspection and service.

• Provide a text or telephone reminder 48 hours before the appointment.

• Re-arrange appointments to suit you and offer evenings and Saturday morning appointments if required.

• Enable you to contact the contractor directly to rearrange appointments.

• Provide you with a copy of the gas safety certificate and place a dated inspection and service reminder sticker on your boiler.

• Ensure contractors’ operatives are polite, wear uniforms and carry identification and name badges.

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• Carry out a random resident satisfaction survey with gas servicing that has taken place, analyse the results and feedback our findings to you. We will learn and improve our service from this evaluation.

• Where smoke detectors are present in your home, we will also check these at the same time.

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Equal Opportunities statement We recognise the damage that disadvantage and discrimination can cause. We are committed to equal opportunities and will take positive steps to ensure that you will not be treated less favourably than anyone else in your dealings with us because of race, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, class or age.

Access for all...

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South Shropshire Housing AssociationThe Gateway, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9BWTel: 01588 676200 Email: info@sshropsha.co.ukwww.shropshirehousing.org.uk

Shropshire Housing Group consists of the following organisations

Shropshire Housing Group consists of the following organisations

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