Gas & Electrical Safety

Gas

Specific regulations apply to rented property and require that gas appliances and any installation pipe work at the house is maintained in a safe condition and does not pose a hazard to the occupiers. Each appliance must be subject to a safety check at least once every 12 months by a CORGI or Gas Safe Register registered contractor (see Important News below) and a proper record kept of the inspection and any repairs / replacements carried out.

Landlords should organise this check but before allowing anyone into a home tenants should ask for CORGI or Gas Safe identification. This credit card sized ID should show their photograph, name, card expiry date and a Corgi or Gas Safe registration number and logo. The key information should also be in Braille.

• If you suspect a gas leak, switch off the gas at the meter and contact Transco on 0800 111 999
• Do not use electrical appliances or switches
• Turn off all sources of ignition including the pilot light on your cooker or boiler
• Do not use any naked flames
• Do not smoke
• Open doors and windows to provide ventilation

Transco have advised that it is not safe to use a mobile phone inside the house when you smell gas. Please keep people away from the affected area and if you believe that there is danger to the public, dial 999. Please make sure you know where the lever is to cut off the gas supply.

For more information from the Health and Safety Executive please click on the following links

For Gas Appliances please  click here (199KB - 20 April 2009 - PDF Help)

For A guide to landlords' duties: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, please  click here (130KB - 22 April 2009 - PDF Help)

Electrics

It is recommended (but not compulsory) that electrical installations are also inspected and tested at regular intervals by a competent electrician. New circuitry and kitchen / bathroom alterations are now subject to Building Regulation control. Second hand electrical appliances supplied during the course of a tenancy must also be reasonably safe for use and regularly tested. The following organisations are apporved by government for the registartion orf electricians to carry our domestic electrical installation work in compliance with Part P of the Building Regulations:

NICEIC Group Ltd – 0870 013 0382

NAPIT Registration Ltd – 0870 444 1392

ELECSA Ltd – 0845 634 9043

British Standards Institution – 01442 230 442 #

BRE Certification Ltd – 0870 609 6093

Further information can also be found at www.competentperson.co.uk

There are some simple rules to follow to keep you safe when using electrical appliances

• Watch out for any plugs or sockets that get hot
• Make sure that all plugs are wired securely and that power leads are not frayed
• Do not overload sockets
• Do not leave leads in vulnerable positions where family members can trip over them
• Do not use electricity near water. Don't let plugs get wet and don't keep flowers on your TV
• Keep your toaster clean and away from curtains
• Protect children from the dangers of electricity

For more landlords information regarding electrical safety from The Electrical Safety Council please click here

There may be occasions when the electrical supply to your home is disrupted. This may be a problem that only affects your home. If the power supply is disrupted please check if your neighbours are also affected. If they are, the problem may be with the electrical supplier, who will deal with the problem.

If you lose your power supply ensure that if you have any electrical appliances that were switched on when the supply was disconnected (including televisions, microwave ovens, kettles etc), that you turn these appliances off and take the plug from the socket. It is safer for these appliances to be turned off before the power is reinstated.

If you have a refrigerator or freezer the food should be safe to use provided the power is restored without too much delay. It is recommended that you keep the door to these appliances closed as much as possible to avoid defrosting the food.

Landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) must supply tenants with an electrical safety certificate for any electrical appliances they supply.

HHSRS

From April 2006, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System will require that rented dwellings are safe and reasonably free from hazards to the occupiers and their visitors. Poorly maintained gas and electrical installations may constitute a hazard under this system and, depending on their condition, could lead to enforcement action being taken by us to secure repairs.

Carbon Monoxide

For more information from the NHS regarding Carbon Monoxide (CO) please  click here (197KB - 26 March 2009 - PDF Help)

What to do

Tenants who have not received any safety certificates should contact their landlord to request them.

For further information or if a landlord refuses to supply tenants with a gas safety certificate, contact our Private Sector Housing Team on 01395 517456 or visit the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

For council managed properties

If you live in a council managed property it is important that the loss of gas or electricity is reported to the council in case it is a fault that the council can repair. Please contact housing repairs on 01395 516551.

Page last updated on 27 July 2009