Council policy to let every tradesmen into their property

dan3811991119

The only thing you can do really is follow the councils official complaints procedure if your not happy.

Fire_Fox

teajug wrote: »

Thanks Fire Fox, I will see what the clause is in the tenancy agreement says, the company has been asked to produce the written authority from the council that they have the right to enter residents home to inspect at their will , but have not enclosed it with their letter, I am wondering if this is a verbally agreement with the council, I do not think it would be something in writing.

The next check date is not due until the end of April, but they company have already made numerous of threatening telephone calls as well as a couple of tradesmen have made cold calls as well.

What this company has done before is if they cannot gain spur of the moment entry to resident homes they report to the council that they cannot gain access, then a threatening letter is sent to that resident from the investigating team from the council saying that they will take the tenant to court if they cannot gain entry to do checks of the gas boilers and possibility for non residency as well, all for not be in when a gas man turns up unexpectedly at the resident door. The resident concerned has given the company 3 dates for appointments and all dates are before the due date for the actual gas check, but they still keep harassment residents.

They company also said that they can do inspection 2 months before the 12 months is up for the actual due date for gas check therefore they resident have 2 months of harassment from that company with council permission according to what they say in their letter to residents.

Has the residents any rights regarding see the authority from the council giving the company rights into residents home without any appointments and if the gas company does not let the resident see that authority then they are possibly lying. :eek:

I totally get what you are saying: an older relative of mine is being assessed for early dementia and was recently telephone scammed which has brought it close to home.

AFAIK the council cannot give that authority of automatic access at no notice, it is YOUR home and you have the right to quiet enjoyment. IMO the due date is irrelevant, they need to complete the checks before then and naturally want to do a whole neighbourhood in one or two hits. However their behaviour is highly relevant, you should be given written notice not harassed. The dates don't have to be at the most convenient times and days for the tenant, you either need to find a mutually convenient time or leave a key with a neighbour say.

IMO you have every right to write a firmly worded letter expressing your concerns over the bullying tactics, no notice at all, no authority or ID given, risk to vulnerable tenants who might think this is the norm and be scammed by fake companies. Councils have preferred contractors chosen on a range of criteria, check out if yours insists on things like the 'considerate contractors' scheme. If they are making appointments and no-showing be the first to lodge a complaint with the council, there are more of you than there are of them!

If you get no response bring in your ward councillors or MP.

chanz4

If you know which company the council use, ask the gas engineer who by law has a gas safe id card with his companys name on it.

teajug

Thanks everyone for replies. Wrote to company concerned as per the council instructions and their response was it is the council policy and it is widely used in in social housing and housing associations across the country. The contractors are subcontractor of another company, which is the problem as it appears that contractors and subcontractors have the same authority as council officials in social housing and housing associations. Do not even consider whether its pensioners or disabled people nor not as all that seems to matter is getting the gas checks signed off by residents and they get the money as quickly as possible, which is understandable in the recession but the safety of resident are not consider at all by the council concerned.

Norman_Castle

The contractors will waste a lot of time with failed appointments due to tenants not being at home. They will then change tactics to increase their success rate. It makes sense for a fitter to ask if they are local and a check is due, but they cannot insist or imply they have a right of entry. If they are overly insistent or dishonest complain about them.

Wywth

teajug wrote: »

Does this seem right, council contractors for servicing annual gas check on equipment for residents has advised them that they tradesmen are allowed to enter residents homes whenever they are in their vicinity without appointments being made first. The problems how would resident know if they if their tradesmen are who they say they are when they make cold calls like this to people homes. I think it is very dangerous to let tradesmen into people home without appointments, especially elderly and disabled people what planet are these council people on. :eek::eek:
The yearly annual check form say the next safety check due within 12 months. Gas company says they cannot veer from the council policy.

How are the tradesman going to get in if the occupier doesn't let them in (e.g. they are not at home at the time)? :huh:

Will the tradesman carry a door enforcer like the police sometimes do? Who will pick up the bill for the new front doors? :cool:
They'll need an entry warrant from the court however they force entry. Who pays for that?

I would suggest you discuss your concerns with your local councillor

teajug

Wywth wrote: »

How are the tradesman going to get in if the occupier doesn't let them in (e.g. they are not at home at the time)? r

Resident is always available for prearranged appointments and would never missed appointment that has been made with any contractor. Believe it or not resident even pensioners and disabled people are allowed to go out for shopping and hospital appointments.

Of course these gas checks are important and should be down with a prearranged appointment and contractors should respect resident will be waiting for them to turn up for that prearranged appointment and take it in their heads to know on resident door when no appointment has been made with them because they happen to be in the area.

Have made concern know to the contractor as advise by council but will speak to councillor as well about this. Not sure if they will be able to help but no harm in trying anyway.

Fire_Fox

teajug wrote: »

Thanks everyone for replies. Wrote to company concerned as per the council instructions and their response was it is the council policy and it is widely used in in social housing and housing associations across the country. The contractors are subcontractor of another company, which is the problem as it appears that contractors and subcontractors have the same authority as council officials in social housing and housing associations. Do not even consider whether its pensioners or disabled people nor not as all that seems to matter is getting the gas checks signed off by residents and they get the money as quickly as possible, which is understandable in the recession but the safety of resident are not consider at all by the council concerned.

Even if it is council policy that is not necessarily an authority to enter YOUR home at any time of the day or night without notice. As already stated this is your home and you have the right to quiet enjoyment. What if it was council policy to house prisoners out on license in any spare rooms? Would you consider than an authority?

Are they even allowed to subcontract? Councils generally have strict rules on who can be a contractor, this can be written into contracts. Are you sure the 'policy' message is not being subject to Chinese Whispers going through various levels of contractors? What legal qualifications do the contractors have? What legal qualifications does the policy maker have?

The council are your landlords, the buck stops with them so this is who you should complain to. Anyone who comes into your property at your landlord's instruction or acts on their behalf is their representative. You have no contractual relationship with the contractor themselves so nothing to complain against and no sanctions.

chanz4

I suppose its whats called as a cold call, you can always say no then check with the council if genuine and arrange for a later date. Inregards to warrants they wouldnt get one as a gsi does not have the same powers a supplier or gt have. However they could see it as a breach of tenancy.

teajug

chanz4 wrote: »

I suppose its whats called as a cold call, you can always say no then check with the council if genuine and arrange for a later date. Inregards to warrants they wouldnt get one as a gsi does not have the same powers a supplier or gt have. However they could see it as a breach of tenancy.

The company was given dates before the expiry date of the gas check but they have not got back as yet to say which is suitable for them. Resident has been flexible about the appointments but seem not to want to make journey to attend appointments as it is much easier to call to residents doors when they happen to be in their area as it much easier for them.