Gas Servicing

Important Gas Servicing & Policy Information for Your Safety

Helena Partnerships carries out annual servicing and safety checks to all of its properties. The servicing is carried out to an agreed programme. An advance notification letter is sent to you informing you of the service date and the importance of allowing Helena Partnerships' contractors access to the property. Service work is carried out by Integral or our own Propertycare team.

This information sets out:

• Our responsibilities as landlord
• Your responsibilities as tenant
• How to avoid the risks from faulty gas appliances

Safety First

IF YOU SMELL GAS OR FUMES YOU SHOULD:

• TURN OFF the gas at the meter
• EXTINGUISH all naked flames
• NOT USE electrical switches
• OPEN any windows
• CALL National Grid - freephone 0800 111 999

CONTACT ONE CALL IMMEDIATELY ON 01744 63 73 83 IF: 

• YOU NOTICE soot marks on or around the appliance
• THE FLAME in the appliance is yellow/orange and not blue
• ANY ONE in your household suffers from drowsiness, headache, nausea or pains in the chest when using a gas appliance

Our responsibility

Our Propertycare team will:

• Ensure that all gas appliances, flues and gas pipework, installed by Helena Partnerships, are maintained and operated in a safe condition.  They will carry out a visual inspection of your gas cooker if you have one
• Ensure that a record is kept of each annual gas service
• Ensure that you receive a copy of the current gas servicing record, (Landlord’s Gas Safety record) on the day of the service being completed

Repairs

If your central heating or hot water fails our contractor will attend within 24 hours (usually that day). Any repairs required to your gas appliances, flues or pipework will be undertaken (if the works can’t be completed on the first visit) as soon as possible but within 5 working days in accordance with Helena Partnerships' Repairs Policy. Priority will always be given to customers who are totally without heating or hot water supplies.

Replacements

We will seek to maintain your existing gas appliances for as long as it is safe and economic to do so. If your appliance cannot be repaired economically it will be replaced.

Emergency Call-out

If your heating system breaks down during out of office hours our emergency call-out service will attend as soon as possible and will ensure your system is in a safe condition.  No repairs will be undertaken by the emergency call out team. To ensure you have a source of heating at least one 2 kilowatt electric fire will be left with you until the system is repaired.  Additional temporary heaters are available if needed.

In an emergency, call One Call on 01744 637383.

If you smell gas you should contact National Grid immediately on 0800 111 999.

Some Questions Answered

How do I know that Helena Partnerships has sent a Gas Safe registered contractor?

We always use Gas Safe registered contractors and fitters, but DO ask to see their Gas Safe Register identity cards.  Make sure of their identity before you let them into your home.

What gas equipment is Helena Partnerships responsible for?

Helena Partnerships will maintain, service and carry out a safety check on all gas appliances and flues that have been supplied and installed.  We will also maintain and repair your own gas fire providing that you have applied for and received permission to install the appliance.

What will happen if my gas appliance fails the annual service inspection?

Helena Partnerships' Gas Safe registered contractors will fix any defects found.  It is an offence to use, or for Helena Partnerships to allow the use of a gas appliance that is known to be unsafe.

If I have not seen a copy of my gas service record, what should I do?

Helena Partnerships is obliged by law to show you a copy of the latest safety check record. If you have not received a copy, please contact Helena Partnerships and we will send you one.

What if I don’t have a gas supply in my house?

Helena Partnerships is still obliged by law to check your home, even though the last service visit showed that there was no gas appliance or even a gas supply.

What If I refuse to allow the contractor access to my home?

If the contractor is refused access to your home to check if you have a gas appliance or is refused access to service the appliance, Helena Partnerships will take action to gain access through the courts if necessary.

You should be aware that in all cases to date we have been granted access by the court and our tenants have been ordered to pay our costs of £400.

Your responsibility as a resident

Helena Partnerships' maintenance records are computerised, so our contractor will automatically undertake a gas safety check every 12 months. Most of our residents co-operate with this, allowing the inspection to be undertaken quickly and efficiently. As a Helena Partnerships resident, you have certain responsibilities

You should:

• Allow prompt access to your home to carry out maintenance or safety checks on gas appliances, flues, and gas pipework, installed by Helena Partnerships.
• Turn off any gas appliance if you are worried about its safety. Then contact Helena Partnerships immediately to register your concerns.
• Always keep the appointment made for the inspection of your gas equipment.
• Give our contractor reasonable access to your home.  Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of your Tenancy Agreement and could result in legal action to enforce access or end your tenancy. We hope this will never be necessary, but we will not hesitate to take action where the health and safety of our residents or their neighbours may be at risk.

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