Central heating servicing and repairs

The Housing Repairs Service is responsible for carrying out an annual safety check of all the gas and solid fuel appliances belonging to the council in our housing stock.

Faulty appliances can cause explosions and can also give off poisonous carbon monoxide fumes, with possibly fatal consequences. We therefore have a legal duty to make sure all of our gas appliances are checked every year by properly qualified gas engineers.

Gas Servicing

The council complies with 'The Landlord & Tenant Act 1985', 'The Housing Act 1985 Part XVIII', and 'Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998' with particular reference to Regulation 30 - 'Duties of Landlords'.

Council tenants also have a legal duty to allow council staff into their homes to carry out these annual checks. If a tenant does not allow access, the council will apply for a court order to give them the legal right to gain entry to do the work, and to charge the tenant for the cost of putting right any damage that results.

When the safety check is due, the following procedure is taken to arrange an appointment for the service to be carried out. The actual work is undertaken by the council's approved contractor, P H Jones Ltd. The procedure to gain access will be in three parts, which are undertaken by the contractor and the council's Housing Service .
 

Steps to be undertaken by the contractor:

1. An appointment letter will be sent by the contractor to attend and carry out the gas servicing works. If the appointment is not convenient, an alternative date can be arranged by contacting the contractor directly
2. If no access was made, a further appointment will be sent seven days later for the contractor to attend the property to carry out the servicing works
3. If no access was made again, a third appointment letter will be sent by the contractor seven days later
4. If no response is received following the three appointments, a referral is made to the housing repairs service

Steps to be undertaken by the Housing Repairs Service:

1. Once the referral has been made to the repairs service, they will send out a 'no access' letter to the tenant seven days after receiving the referral
2. If there has still been no response within the timeframe set, a legal pack will be compiled to apply for a Court Access Warrant. During the period when the Housing Repairs Service is trying to make contact with the tenant, they will also liaise with the relevant Housing Management Officer
3. If the tenant fails to respond, Court Action will follow to apply for a Warrant of Entry
4. If the tenant fails to respond, County Court Action will follow to apply for a Warrant of Entry. As part of the application process, an officer of the Housing Service will be required to make a statement based on this agreed procedure
5. Copies of the council's witness information (The Applicant) submitted to the Court will be issued to the tenant (The Respondent), which also confirms the Court Hearing date. The Respondent is invited to attend
6. If the Court Warrant of Entry is issued, then the contractor and the relevant officer of the council, accompanied by the police if deemed necessary, will visit the property to gain access. If all else fails, force will be used to gain access in order for the work to be carried out

Last updated: 21/06/2024 09:26