Gas piping stolen

michael432000

I apologise if this is not an appropriate place to post this.

I live in a one bedroom converted upstairs flat and the gas piping from the meter, up the wall and into my property was stolen last night.

I own the flat leasehold and I am really struggling on minimum wage and have no money.

Landlord said he doesn’t know why the piping was outside; originally it went inside.

Haven’t reported to the police yet as don’t want to blemish if I decide to sell.

Not sure what to do, can’t cook, wash or anything.

Any advice appreciated.

withabix

Report to Police. Get a crime number. Essential for the next bit.

Claim on your house insurance for the repair. They will arrange the work usually.

Boil a kettle to make hot water. Have a wash.

Alter_ego

Have you turned off the gas at the meter?

michael432000

Yes, at least those lovely people turned it off first.

Will go and report it to police now.

Thank you.

penrhyn

It probably goes outside because at some stage the original boiler was replaced by a combi which requires a larger gauge copper pipe. There are a lot of installation like you describe around.
Presumably the little scroats had run out of churches to nick the lead off.

samtheman1k

I'm confused as to why you have a landlord when you say you own the flat?

Gman0365

If the gas supply has only been turned off at the meter then it must be made safe by capping the meter or some of the existing pipework that is left. If there is still an open end on the pipework or if you fear that the meter installation could have been damaged in any way then call the Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. They will attend and make the installation safe. They will also issue you with a warning notice advising that the pipework must be repaired before it can be reconnected. This could be forwarded onto your home insurance company if required.

ic

If you're in a flat, do you have a shared building policy with the other flats? If so its not your policy*, and you shouldn't have to declare claims in the future if you move and hold another policy. This is a buildings claim - not a contents claim.

* I think - maybe others can confirm.

michael432000

Thank you for your replies.

I’ve now reported it to the police.

I am with British Gas and have a pay as you go meter. I rang the free phone number on the back of the gas meter payment card and the adviser said to call National Grid 0870 903 9999 and they would come and do the work for me for free.

I phoned but just missed them; they finish at 6pm.

I hope it’s true that they do it for free, but I wont be convinced until I contact them on Monday. People seem to tell you anything these days.

The National Grid emergency man came this morning and capped it. He said I would have to pay to repair it, and it wouldn’t be cheep, so who knows.

Should I hold off contacting the insurance company until I find out on Monday?

The police said they sometimes rip out the whole meter and leave the gas running out and they have to evacuate half the street. There are some real nutcases out there. It’s becoming such an unpleasant world to live in.

(I own the property leasehold; so pay ground rent to the freeholder landlord.)

(Yes, I have a combi boiler.)

chanz4

you now need to employ a corgi, no supplier will do it free.

lemontart

aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh bg have given you the wrong information

that number the 0870 903 9999 is the cust ordered sales number National grid will NOT do this type of work let alone for free, they deal with meter moves and new gas instalations.

I see one of our engineers as already visited and advised you that it is not free.