Gas safety certificate date

Manchee

So we are tenants and the property we rent needs its gas safety certificate renewed, we were advised that the landlord had arranged for British Gas to get in contact with us to arrange a suitable time. Its been quite delayed as we didn't realise the letter they sent us wasn't actually junk mail (it wasn't even addressed to any name or anything..). Anyway, I called BG earlier to arrange and was told that they couldn't do weekends or evening (both myself and partner work 9-5 mon-fri), so informed our landlords letting agency and they said they would deal with it.

Just had a call from them (short sharp and rude - would write a complaint letter but we would prob just be out on our ear at the end of our fixed term if we did.. grrr) to inform us that the landlord will be coming round on Friday to let BG in. I tried to explain my point that I'm not putting my foot down or anything but I'm really not keen on strangers in my home without myself or my partner being there, but that we were happy for any time to be arranged on any day after 6 weekday or at any point at the weekend. I think the old certificate must run out on Thurs, because at this point the girl started talking about how its going to be a few hours out of date and that if I hadn't agreed they would just come in anyway due to the 'heavy laws' (first time I've come across laws with physical mass haha!).

Now I total get how important the gas safety is, and the legalities of having to have one, and am in no way trying to stop them doing it, but is really looked at in terms of it being 3 hours late? Is it totally unreasonable for me to ask for it to be deferred a day to the weekend when we would be available to be present?

Okydoky25

If BG don't do the times or days you require then I can't see a way around that.

To be fair on your LL he is trying to resolve the issue by attending himself.

jjlandlord

I'm sure your landlord along with the BG engineer are already planning their trip through your underwears... Not.

DRP

Manchee wrote: »

So we are tenants and the property we rent needs its gas safety certificate renewed, we were advised that the landlord had arranged for British Gas to get in contact with us to arrange a suitable time. Its been quite delayed as we didn't realise the letter they sent us wasn't actually junk mail (it wasn't even addressed to any name or anything..). Anyway, I called BG earlier to arrange and was told that they couldn't do weekends or evening (both myself and partner work 9-5 mon-fri), so informed our landlords letting agency and they said they would deal with it.

Just had a call from them (short sharp and rude - would write a complaint letter but we would prob just be out on our ear at the end of our fixed term if we did.. grrr) to inform us that the landlord will be coming round on Friday to let BG in. I tried to explain my point that I'm not putting my foot down or anything but I'm really not keen on strangers in my home without myself or my partner being there, but that we were happy for any time to be arranged on any day after 6 weekday or at any point at the weekend. I think the old certificate must run out on Thurs, because at this point the girl started talking about how its going to be a few hours out of date and that if I hadn't agreed they would just come in anyway due to the 'heavy laws' (first time I've come across laws with physical mass haha!).

Now I total get how important the gas safety is, and the legalities of having to have one, and am in no way trying to stop them doing it, but is really looked at in terms of it being 3 hours late? Is it totally unreasonable for me to ask for it to be deferred a day to the weekend when we would be available to be present?

Presumably it isn't just the fact the certificate must be renewed before it expires, but that it is also more expensive/difficult to arrange for an engineer to come outside of standard working hours.

If you must be present, can you take a day/half-day off?

That is what I do when I book a boiler service.

Manchee

jjlandlord wrote: »

I'm sure your landlord along with the BG engineer are already planning their trip through your underwears... Not.

Umm well, nowhere did I say anything like that, but I'm sure you open your home to all and sundry when ever requested, right??

DRP

Manchee wrote: »

Umm well, nowhere did I say anything like that, but I'm sure you open your home to all and sundry when ever requested, right??

It isn;'t all and sundry though is it?

Manchee

DRP wrote: »

It isn;'t all and sundry though is it?

Well no it isn't but I was trying to make a point to jjlandlord.

Regarding taking time off, it would be possible if there was more notice, but it's very difficult taking time off at work. But thanks for the suggestion.

I guess I just wanted to know if it was unreasonable to request a delay to allow us to be present, really.

Pixie5740

Manchee wrote: »

Umm well, nowhere did I say anything like that, but I'm sure you open your home to all and sundry when ever requested, right??

I'm a tenant and have allowed access to plumbers, electricians, etc without me being present in the past. If either my LL or LA is happy to be there I'm happy to let them get on with it. Getting BG engineers and tradespeople to come outside office hours is tricky and/or expensive and I'd rather not waste my time off work dealing with it. To be honest I'm always pleased when a LL/LA arranges to get things fixed.

Not that I think anything will be stolen but to be on the safeside I put away my laptop, jewellery and cash.

EDIT: I'm not sure if in this case it's reasonable to request a delay since having a valid gas safety certificate is a legal requirement for your LL.

jjlandlord

Manchee wrote: »

Well no it isn't but I was trying to make a point to jjlandlord.

The point is that because you said you could not be there easily your landlord has decided to take time to attend the property.

If it is difficult for you to be there during office hours, you'll have to accept that what he is doing is the best alternative, and shows that he cares.
In fact, I would thank him for that.

Manchee

jjlandlord wrote: »

The point is that because you said you could not be there easily your landlord has decided to take time to attend the property.

If it is difficult for you to be there during office hours, you'll have to accept that what he is doing is the best alternative, and shows that he cares.

Thanks for rephrasing your point, your previous post came across as quite aggressive and dismissive which seemed very uncalled for.

I understand that it is the best alternative, and I am appreciative of having a landlord that actually bothers to keep within the law (I think we've all had a LL that just cba!).

jjlandlord

Manchee wrote: »

Thanks for rephrasing your point, your previous post came across as quite aggressive and dismissive which seemed very uncalled for.

It wasn't aggressive, but it was dismissive.