Gas leak in rented house

slopemaster

Seriously, you need to move out.
Either temporarily or permanently, but don't stay there.

floodmummy

Thanks, they've come our twice already. One who put in a new part and the other who said the leak was under the boards before turning the gas off, and said to pass on the message to the plumber who came up the next morning.

I can't believe this. This is our 5th day here.

HouseBuyer77

Or should I call the gas board again because I can faintly smell gas again.

Is the gas turned off at the meter (there should be a very obvious lever with clear marking indicating open and closed positions)? If so gas is isolated and shouldn't be a problem.

I believe that any quantity of gas that's actually dangerous causes an almighty stink, so a vague whiff isn't a problem, however if the gas isn't turned off then could indicate a slow leak that will become a problem.

A method of heating has to be supplied, however it could be electric. So the LL could just declare that they're not repairing the gas installation and have a plumber permanently disable it then supply you with electric radiators. Though they'd also need to install an immersion heater for hot water if you don't already have one.

At the very least I would have expected the agent to provide you with some portable electric heaters as a temporary solution.

Person_one

anselld wrote: »

A gas leak does not cause Carbon Monoxide poisoning, it causes your house to explode.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-35610607

Also:

Oldham explosion: Child dies as house 'completely flattened'

Fifteen people injured in Salford gas explosion

Gateshead gas explosion 'horrific'

Blast victim 'crushed to death'

Gas leaks are not to be underestimated or ignored, OP.

Person_one

HouseBuyer77 wrote: »

At the very least I would have expected the agent to provide you with some portable electric heaters as a temporary solution.

Electric heaters in a house with a gas leak. That sounds sensible...

Person_one

floodmummy wrote: »

Thanks, they've come our twice already. One who put in a new part and the other who said the leak was under the boards before turning the gas off, and said to pass on the message to the plumber who came up the next morning.

I can't believe this. This is our 5th day here.

If you can still smell gas, they do need to come out again.

floodmummy

I don't think we were given any paperwork when he left but I'll check with my partner. He's calling the letting agency now to clarify their position. I'm feeling scared because we're in the house but I have nowhere to go and it's freezing outside. I'll call the board again.

PasturesNew

You appear to be calling all the wrong people.

Smelling gas is an EMERGENCY. This isn't a "phone the agent, wait, see if they phone back, see what the little man they send says" situation.

Smelling gas is ALWAYS an emergency, that trumps any usual methods of contacting landlords etc.

Gas ....EMERGENCY.

As the post above said:

Call the number on this page, right now!

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/Gas-emergency/

ONLY these people will make the right judgement calls ... and there's no charge. He'll be with you very shortly.

Guest101

1: Turn off the gas at the meter
2: Contact the council for enforcement
3: If the smell persists contactthe national grid

Person_one

floodmummy wrote: »

I don't think we were given any paperwork when he left but I'll check with my partner. He's calling the letting agency now to clarify their position. I'm feeling scared because we're in the house but I have nowhere to go and it's freezing outside. I'll call the board again.

Why are you calling a letting agency?

If you really can smell gas, you need to ring the emergency number immediately!

Its 0800 111 999, call it.