gas leak dilemma of responsibility

mighty_hammers

hi my nephew has a mortgage on a flat, which was part buy / rent. he has paid in enough to only have the mortgage part left. His meter for his gas, is as you enter the under ground car park. the pipe then goes from his meter off round the building before arriving into his flat. the leak is just after his meter, so building owners say its his responsibility.,
we assumed it was the responsibility of the owners of the building as he pays service charge etc and its leased. But they are saying it is down to him, and the gas company are saying the whole pipe needs replacing. costing a lot of money we assume. Any one know who is responsible, he has been without gas for 2 months while he tries to get a quote. British gas keep sending out men in vans who cant access the car park and just leave 'cos there's nowhere to park. Any help appreciated. thanks

Fosterdog

What does his lease say about who is responsible for such repairs? Has he actually had a quote for the work? Has he had any independent contractors to look at it or just British Gas?

bris

If the leak is after his meter then any gas safe registered engineer will be able to replace the pipe. You don't need BG to do this, you will also save money on BG prices, get a few quotes.


It's also Your responsibility as it's your supply. It isn't a building's issue.

peachyprice

By the whole pipe do you mean all the way from the car park to his flat? And if the leak is after the meter why does the whole pipe need replacing?

bris

peachyprice wrote: »

By the whole pipe do you mean all the way from the car park to his flat? And if the leak is after the meter why does the whole pipe need replacing?

It probably won't, it could be repaired by just cutting out the part that's leaking and soldering a piece in, but as we can't see it we can't really know.

mighty_hammers

He has printed out his information on his lease which shows the builders owners should be responsible, but they say their not. Other contractors either fail to turn up or can't get their large vans into the carpark and just leave. I have told my sister for him to get legal advice. I dont know why they can't just repair the pipe. I feel for him, but you can't make people take your advice.

sheramber

If he has only the mortgage part of the arrangement to pay does he not one the flat?

What arrangement is in pace to carry out repairs/maintenance of the building? Is there a management company? Would it be their responsibility?

Can he not arrange to be there - or for somebody else to be there- to let the workmen in to the garage?