HELP!!! We may have no cooker to cook for christmas

Duvarayi

Hello

I need advice please. I bought a Hotpoint FSD cooker including installation from Argos on 15/11. I live in a flat. It was delivered 25/11.When engineer came same day to install he told me the cooker inlet pipe is short and not current regulations which should be about 750mm and attached to the wall. He advised me to contact the council as I am their tenant to come and make it to the required height.

I called the council repairs department and the lady asked me the type of cooker I had before and I told her we had no cooker since we moved in in January. She then told me the people responsible with gas etc was closed and they will call me the following day.

The following day a man called me and told me to ask the Housing Officer to authorise them to come do it. This is wherethe problem started.

Part 1,I called my Housing Officer and she told me to ask for my installation money and find someone else to do the installation. She said the pipe meets the regulations of the time it was built. She also sent me a letter in which to my suprise she says I says I asked her to move the pipe which is a lie.

Part 2,another council lady called me 14/12 and told me their repairs department says when the guy who did the gas safety inpection came on 7/11 we had a cooker connected. This is a lie. I told her that.

May I know if the current gas inlet pipe regulation really state the 750mm from floor? Is it right for the inspection guy to write he inspected cooker bracket and tightness as I checked my copy,when he did not as there was no cooker at the time?

Errata

Were you asked to sign the inspection sheet confirming it was correct?

Duvarayi

Sorry, what inspection sheet?

Errata

This inspection sheet

Part 2,another council lady called me 14/12 and told me their repairs department says when the guy who did the gas safety inpection came on 7/11 we had a cooker connected. This is a lie. I told her that.

Duvarayi

If you mean the gas safety,he signed what had to be signed himself. It was in the morning and my hands were swollen stiff,I have arthritis.

Does signing mean anything? He asked where the cooker was and I told him we didn't have it.

daggy

It's irrelevant whether you asked them to move the pipe or not... If it isn't in compliance with the regulations, they have to make it comply.

Also, even if you did ask them and they did move it... I'd assume they'd still be at fault for moving it to a place that doesn't comply... they are the experts.

I'd also make sure all communications are recorded... written is obviously the best way to do this, but not the quickest.

You should contact CAB.

Duvarayi

I am hoping to go to CAB today if I can get a wheelchair loan. I took the names though and I will take the pictures and reciepts .I called the complaints department and the lady told me that when I took the tenancy I chose electricity spo they will not nservice the gas pipe just because I now want to use gas.

I told her that I was never asked and I never asked anything about the type of cooker I was going to use. The gas pipe and electric sockets are even still closed off up to now I did not even have beds for my kids at the time and we were going to use microwave to cook.My friend offered us the two plates thing with oven to use.

Thank youin advance for taking your precious time to answermy question and giving me advice.

daggy

Have you contacted the council to have an occupational therapist come out and assess you? My mum was given a wheelchair and a walker to use. We bought her a mobility scooter, but there's help there for wheelchairs and stuff.

You could probably arrange a phone interview with cab... I'd also suggest approaching the local paper!!! Although that could pee off the Housing Association more.

Duvarayi

I told the lady that I am very angry because they are sitting in their offices making assumptions and not sending someone to come and see what I am talking about.I don't think they have a right to tell me they won't service the gas pipe as it's my right to choose the type of cooker that works for me.She actually told me the two plate thing is an electric cooker.

I asked social services for help with wheelchair and things and I am still waiting for occupational therapist to come and assess me.

gas4you

I think the chap who refused to install it is being a bit OTT.

There is, in theory a virtual square on the wall behind the cooker that the bayonet fitting can go. There is nothing I can remember stating 750mm in stone.

With modern cookers that need to be pushed back to the wall, I tend to fit the bayonet where it allows the cooker to be pushed back fully.

There should be full installation instructions with the cooker you bought indicating where the fitting should be on the wall and yes the fitting should be screwed to the wall.

Did this 'gas chap' ask to see the installation instructions for your new cooker?

Duvarayi

He was from Hotpoint so I take it he installs them all the time.I assume he they doesn't want to be responsible for any future accident. The existing gas pipe is short. and not fixed to the wall.