Would you report illegal gas work???

becominganobsessivesaver

Hopefully a hypothetical question . If you knew someone (who you have had a run in with in the past) was installing a new heating system in the property attached to yours and they weren't gas safe registered would you report them to gas safe and risk falling out with your neighbours (the circumstances would make it obvious that we were the ones who reported them)?

I don't really want to fall out with the neighbours, but as our houses are attached I also have my family's safety to think of.

Opinions please......

red40

Although not in your predicament and being so close to home, but yes I have reported somebody and had Gassafe inspector out and had a prohibition notice issued on the installer by the HSE. Needless to say the flue was leaking, the gas pipe was incorrectly sized and not suitably supportred, plus the addition of a small gas leak, it was also wired up incorrectly, boiler flue to close to a window and surprisingly no building control notifcation.

Needless to say the landlord who employed his friend to do the work was more concerned about him not being prosecuted and of course I was a complete t*$#, for reporting him. But hey many many registered installers pay high fees and take regular training to ensure gas work is undertaken correctly.

booty40uk

Would you report illegal gas work???

Most definately

Jaynne

Gas work is something I would have no hesitation reporting as there seems to me to be a far greater risk of fire/explosion/carbon monoxide poisoning (although the last would have to be pretty bad to affect a different property unless it was a flat below) than say someone doing their own electrical wiring.

Just think of the regrets you would have if the worst happened to your neighbours or your family and you had the chance to prevent it.

becominganobsessivesaver

Thanks for the replies, I think we'll wait and see what happens, and maybe try and drop something into conversation with the neighbour just in case. We would like to move in the next year or so, so I suppose longer term it wouldn't be an issue, I just want my family to feel safe and unthreatened.

baza52

how do you know they wont be getting it signed off by a gas safe engineer/tradesman after the pipework is complete?

becominganobsessivesaver

baza52 wrote: »

how do you know they wont be getting it signed off by a gas safe engineer/tradesman after the pipework is complete?

I suspect it may not be, but I may be wrong. I believe that current guidance is for gas safe engineers not to sign off the work unless they want to take full responsibility for the works, and gas safe generally advise them not to do this. I may be wrong though

muskoka

I'd be reporting it if you are sure that the fitter is not registered. I'd want to safeguard my family, more than I'd worry about the neighbours.

photome

becominganobsessivesaver wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I think we'll wait and see what happens, and maybe try and drop something into conversation with the neighbour just in case. We would like to move in the next year or so, so I suppose longer term it wouldn't be an issue, I just want my family to feel safe and unthreatened.

But you wouldnt be worried about the new owners once you have sold?

Report them

booty40uk

longer term it wouldn't be an issue, I just want my family to feel safe and unthreatened.

But no one elses?????? Report them immediately

Leif

Is it not possible to talk with the neighbour, express concerns about safety, and let them know you will report them if they do not have it checked? Since you say they will know anyway who reported them, do you have anything to lose? If you think that is not a good route, then yes I would report them ASAP. If you get dirty looks from the neighbour, so be it. If he threatens you, then report him to the police. Do not let it go unreported, because if he later does something unpleasant, the fact that you reported him earlier will help in your favour. I know because I reported numerous instances of abuse by a gang of children, and when I had trouble later (they tried to report me as a kiddy fiddler) the police dismissed the complaint and took my side since I had a history of persecution by the children.