As your landlord, we are bound by law to carry out an annual safety check on our gas appliances. As a URH tenant, you too have responsibilities. This following information sets out what these are, how to avoid putting yourself at risk from faulty gas appliances and what you can expect from Birchcroft.

How to arrange an appointment

Should you experience problems with either your heating and hot water system or wish to have your system serviced, Birchcroft can be contacted Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm, on freephone 0800 804 8555.

Regulations 1998

• Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulation 1998 places a legal duty on landlords of residential properties to ensure gas appliances, fittings, flues and pipe work installed in their properties are maintained in a safe condition.
• Checks need to take place within one year of the start of the tenancy/lease date, unless the appliances have been installed for less than 12 months, in which case they should be checked within 12 months of their installation date.

Loughborough's responsibility as a Landlord

• When tenants vacate premises we need to ensure that all gas fittings, appliances and relevant flues are safe to use before re-letting the property.
• Check number of services per day being completed by engineers
• Any gas appliances not owned by the landlord must be visually checked (i.e. cookers etc., we are fitting chains without charge).
• Contractors are CORGI Registered and all engineers are fully qualified.
• A gas service is carried out on each appliance and flue in your home every year. When you take up a new tenancy all gas appliances and flues will be checked before you move in
• We keep a record of each annual gas service
• We give you a copy of the current gas safety certificate for your home when completed or, if you are a new tenant, a copy will be included in your Welcome Pack.

Your duty as a tenant

As a tenant you too have responsibilities.

• You should allow us access to your home to carry out maintenance or safety checks on our gas appliances
• For your safety, always use a suitably qualified gas engineer to carry out any work to a gas installation in your home.
• If you have any doubt about the safety of gas equipment, it should be turned off and you should contact Transco: 0800 111999
• Failure to give reasonable access to your home to allow us to complete this check is dangerous for you, your family and your neighbours.

It's also a breach of your tenancy conditions, which could result in legal action to enforce access or end your tenancy.

Birchcroft News

Are you an OAP?
Are you a URH Resident?
Would you like your new cooker fitted for free?
Call freephone 0800 804 8555
Birchcroft, in partnership with United Residents Housing, will fit your new gas cooker free of charge, and issue a Gas Test Certificate (CP12) to you.