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

iamcornholio

There are three issues here - is the gas wall connection suitable, was the hotpoint engineer correct, what are the councils obligations

Gas connector

Historic (ie existing) connections tend to be 500-600mm high. But I have seen a guidance note from Viper (a gas industry guide book) that 750mm is suggested for new installations. The idea is that the connection is easy to reach, and it allows the hose to hang stress-free. Anyway, existing connections should not have to be altered to current regulations

Hotpoint installer

I think he may be misinterpreting the regulations, or perhaps did not want to fit the cooker. But he may be correct if the terminal was not properly fixed to the wall - which would not be his job.

The council

There is an implied term of every tenancy that the landlord will keep in repair and proper working order the installations for the supply of water, gas and electricity.

So if the gas pipe is there, it does not matter what choice of cooking was made when the tenancy started, the gas pipe must be maintained and serviced - and the council can not get out of this obligation

If the pipe was not connected to the rest of the gas installation, then that would be different, but if there is gas up to the end of it, then it has to be maintained so that use can be made of it

So make a complaint to a senior manager or use the councils formal complaints system. Contact a councillor to get things moving.

There will be an option to organise the work yourself and then reclaim the costs from the council. But without all the facts, I can't say whether this would be successful, so is really a last resort.

I suppose the sure way to get the council out is to say that you can smell gas in the kitchen ;)

Duvarayi

Thank you iamcornholio.The existing gas inlet pipe is about 350mm high. I went to the council today to complain again and I am do not have high hopes. Please may I know,is it right for the gasinspection guy to state in the certicate he inpected the cooker bracket and did gas tightness test when he did not. I know this as I was watching him and told him we had no cooker when he asked where it was?

The problem is I cannot afford to have the work done. I only paid £70 for standard installation.

iamcornholio

The annual inspection by the gas engineer should be accurately recorded but sometimes they are not as thorough as they should be

The argument that the council will use is that you would/should have been given a duplicate copy of the inspection sheet, and should have checked it and notified any discrepancies. However, your argument would be that you are not technical, could not understand it and did not sign it - if in fact you were given a copy.

As a tip, whenever signing things following council workmen, write that you are signing to confirm the "attendance only" and not that you have checked the work or that you are agreeing that any work was actually done or done correctly

You really need to sort this out with a senior manager or your tenancy management officer, as there are specifics to your situation and council's policies which no-one on here can give specific advice about

silverchair

Hope it all gets sorted before CHristmas. However, if it doesnt do you have any friends or family you could go to for xmas dinner? Not sure sure if weatherspoon is open for xmas, but that may be an option
If you have a microwave & a cook store near you, they do really nice meals & you'll just have to postpone xmas dinner for a few days.
By the way we wont have a cooker for xmas & was just looking into different options ourselves

Duvarayi

Thank you iamcornholio for the signing advice,I will tell them about the technical part. They did send the copy and I only went through it when they said the inspection guy says I had a cooker connected when he came on 7/11. I did notify them of this on friday and took the copy of the inspection certificate with my reciept and pictures of the two plate and the sealed gas pipe and electric sockets on the wall of the cooker space. In the council handbook they say thet are responsible for repairing and maintaining the services that supply gas,electricity,water and water-waste,and the equipment that they have installed for delivering these services. I have sent an email to the officer and have CAB appointment as well.

silverchair,thank you for making me know we won't be the only ones without a cooker. I don't like burdening people. I have no family here,only me and my 3 kids. If we go to a friends house, they will have to come pick us as I can't hop on public transport. I will need my new mode of mobility too,wheelchair as my health has deteriorated in just 3 months,I went to bed sunday 11/8 and could not get up monday morning 12/8.That will also mean no xmas leftovers,OMG, no turkey sandwiche.LOL.... My kids say they will use the 2plates and mini oven we've been using which I can't use as I can't stand for long and can't lift. That's one of the reasons I bought the cooker,to make things easier for them cooking xmas meal. My 17 year old daughter makes good roast,the boys can pee veggiesl and mix when baking.

I am going to see what happens monday and call my councillor and MP as well.

daggy

You should pick a michelin star restaurant and go for dinner there... once the tw*ts admit that they are in the wrong, you should send them the invoice :P

On a serious note, it's not ideal, but you could always cook a turkey crown pot roast style.

There's a delia one about half way down on this Delia forum thread too

Duvarayi

Mmmmhhh...michelin star restaurant daggy.yum yum. I wish. Thanks for making me smile as well and the usefull thread.

We will find a way to get something to eat. Our neighbour has offered us the use of her oven.

Thank you users for taking time to give me good advice.