The mechanical and electrical (M&E) gas team are responsible for the gas compliance of over 11,000 domestic boilers. The council are bound by law and subject to fines if we do not fulfill our landlord duty of safety to our residents.
Making sure your gas appliances are working safely is important for the safety of you and your neighbors.
To keep our residents safe, the gas boilers/appliances need to be serviced once a year.
Why these checks must happen
Unchecked gas appliances have a higher risk of carbon monoxide leaks. Every year about 30 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. When gas does not burn properly, excess carbon monoxide is produced which is extremely poisonous.
You cannot see it. You cannot taste it. You cannot even smell it. But it can kill in just a matter of hours.
More of you than ever before have given our contractors access and had their gas supply and appliances checked within the past year, we are very grateful for your cooperation.
Gas safety checks are free of charge and could save you money on your fuel bill.
Your tenancy agreement requires you to cooperate with the safety programme by giving access to your home for these important gas safety checks.
If access isn't given, we will get a warrant from court to force entry into your property and may charge you for this.
How to get a gas service
You will receive notification from the council or our contractor 60 days before your inspection to arrange an appointment. If you can't be in at the arranged time, please tell us as soon as possible to book another appointment.
If you have accessibility needs or any vulnerabilities we need to know about, please let us know.
For information about gas safety checks or to book a gas safety appointment, call the customer services centre on 0800 023 4499 (free from landlines and mobiles).
All our contractors will be wearing ID.
Leaseholders
As a leaseholder you are responsible for the maintenance of all gas appliances and flues in your property and it is advised that you have them checked for safety every 12 months.
If you have sublet your property, as a landlord you have a legal responsibility to your tenant under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. You must ensure that an annual safety inspection is carried out on each appliance or flue that you provide for tenants use. A record of each safety check must be kept for at least two years.
You must only use Gas Safe registered contractors. By law anyone who carries out work on a gas appliance or fitting must be "Gas Safe" registered and competent to do it safely.
You can find a registered engineer on the Gas Safe website Find or check a Gas Safe registered business.
DIY gas work could be dangerous and is likely to be illegal.
What should I do if I smell gas or suspect a leak?
If you smell gas, call Cadent Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999 or via textphone (minicom) on 0800 371 787.
If you're a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use SignLive to contact the National Gas Emergency Service free of charge.
- turn off the gas at the meter unless it is in the cellar or basement
- do not smoke or strike matches
- do not turn electric switches on or off
- put out any naked flames
- open the doors and windows
- keep people away from the affected area.
Relay UK helps people with hearing and speech difficulties communicate with anyone over the phone, using the national relay service. Find out more on the Relay UK website.
Get them checked, keep them safe
- Gas appliances. Get them checked Keep them safe – HSE (pdf)
- Listen to the Gas appliances, Get them checked Keep them safe - HSE (MP3)
Landlords
HSE - A guide to landlords' duties: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998