Gas appliances and safety

Many residents have gas appliances such as boilers, fires and water heaters in their homes. Well-maintained appliances can work for years without problems, unserviced gas appliances can lead to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This article outlines your responsibilities when it comes to gas safety, and could well save your life.

Although gas has a distinctive odour, CO is invisible and odourless, and exposure to it can be harmful and even fatal. CO is caused when gas doesn’t burn properly. This can be due to a fault in the gas appliance, inadequate ventilation, or a combination of both.

Tenants and leaseholders have various rights and responsibilities where gas safety is concerned: the gas pipe work into your property up to the gas meter is the supply authority’s responsibility; the gas meter within your property is the responsibility of your gas supplier, however it is your responsibility to choose and arrange your gas supply.

Tenants' responsibilities

Please remember that your gas appliances need an annual safety check by a TMO approved Service Company. It is the TMO’s responsibility to identify a gas contractor to carry out the checks, and as part of your tenancy agreement, you have a responsibility to allow the contractor access to your home.

We have a legal obligation to service your gas appliances, and it ensures the safety and comfort of you and your family. If tenants refuse us entry, the TMO will seek to gain access using legal action or forced entry.

The TMO gas maintenance contractor will write to every tenant that needs a gas safety check, shortly before it’s due, to arrange an appointment. However, there might be times when you have questions or queries, and need more help. For example, you might be unsure when your next safety check is due, or maybe you’re going to be away from home for a while and want to make sure you don’t miss the safety check. You can email the TMO at gasservice@kctmo.org.uk with your queries. We’ll either forward your enquiry to the gas maintenance contractor or reply to you direct, as appropriate. Please remember to include your full address and post code, and a daytime contact phone number. Your gas safety check is important, so please don’t miss it if it’s due.

If your property doesn't have a gas meter fitted or have a pre paid meter, it is your responsibility to have one installed or to arrange for a pre-pay meter charge card from a gas supplier. If your home does not have a gas supply, and you decide in future that you would like this service, the TMO would not normally meet this cost.

Only TMO gas service contractors can work on gas appliances in TMO properties. Using a known faulty gas appliance is both unsafe and unlawful - as are “do-it-yourself” repairs.

If a gas service engineer finds an appliance is unsafe, they will disconnect it. Please note that the TMO reserves the right to inspect all gas works in to ensure that safety standards are being met.

Gas cookers

Tenants are responsible for purchasing and their own gas cookers. The TMO is responsible for the gas pipe work and appliances inside your home except gas cookers.

Gas fires

The TMO supply gas fires in some properties, but if you wish to install a gas fire at your own expense, please contact your Housing Officer. You will need to provide us with details of your plans and the name of the CORGI registered company carrying out the work.