Gas leak and Housing association issue.

rich_shot2003

Was not sure where to put this post so hope i have put it in the right place.

We live in a Housing association flat and on Friday they came to do the yearly Gas safety check and during that check they found we had a gas leak in one of the wall cavity so they capped the gas so we have not had any gas since friday for our hot water or cooker.

So as the pipe work is within the wall they have said they are going to install new pipe work on the outside of the flat and they will contract the work out so as we have no heating or hot water by law how long do they have to do the work in?

I am worried that they can leave us with out any gas for heating or hot water and take there time to do the work which they know they have no choice but to do the work.

Any advice would be helpful as to where we stand and out rights as a housing association tenant.

QrizB

I can't help with your rights (sorry) but is it a combi boiler or do you have a hot water tank?

If you have a tank, it probably has an electrical immersion heater fitted for times like this. That'll give you hot water but won't help with the heating. It might cost you £1 a day or so in extra electricity.

Rodders53

Gas leak found on Friday… I'd expect a repair by next Friday would be quite acceptable (inconvenient but acceptable). Hopefully sooner.

As a home owner I'd certainly not want to pay for a weekend emergency Gas Safe plumber to do it in my own dwelling!

Speak to the HA on Monday morning - or be a nuisance and call their emergency number. They may have an idea of the timescale involved to set your expectation?

It's fortunately not especially cold so an electric fan heater could be pressed into use. Water heated in a kettle to strip wash / wash dishes from microwave/toaster cooking if there's no HW tank with an immersion element. I hate Combi boilers for this lack of backup HW!!

pinkshoes

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664861/gas-leak-and-housing-association-issue

What is reasonable is the same as it would be for a home owner, so if it was my house, then I'd say a week would be reasonable to get this sorted.

Do you not have a kettle to heat hot water? Could you borrow a plug in hob? Do you have a hot water tank with an immersion heater? A plug in fan heater or borrow an oil radiator?

rich_shot2003

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969488#Comment_81969488

We have a Combi Boiler so need Gas to run it.

eskbanker

Perhaps worth reading up on (a) your tenancy agreement (or equivalent) and (b) Awaab's Law, which defines a broken boiler as an emergency hazard, and so presumably something with equal impact would qualify:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awaabs-law-guidance-for-tenants-in-social-housing/awaabs-law-guidance-for-tenants-in-social-housing

Ms_Chocaholic

When we had no hot water for ages (privately owned) due to a problem with our water supply we bought a solar shower and filled it up from the kettle. Could that be an option, they're about £8

rich_shot2003

Just to give a update.

Had a call from Housing association this morning and due to the fact that they now think its going to be a bigger job then they thought as the gas pipes are within the walls that we are going to have to move out for a while while they get whoever they contracted it out to and put us in a hotel or serviced accommodation.

So the chap i spoke to filled out a form while i was on phone and said he will get back in touch with me when they have sorted that out.

He asked how many of us live in our home and if we had any pets which we have a dog and cat so take it that we will be able to at least take the dog with us? i know the cat will be a bit harder but if we can get back to our home each day so we can feed the cat that will be ok.

martindow

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970373#Comment_81970373

Thanks for the update. Regarding the animals I think you need to ask them - maybe they will cover kennels fees if they can't provide accommodation that will accept pets. I doubt if they will be happy with a cat being left there as it would no doubt escape.

It sounds as if you have a good housing association getting on with the repair and sorting out somewhere for you to stay.

KxMx

It wouldn't be safe to leave your cat alone with workers going in & out.

Maybe you have home contents or pet insurance that will cover cattery fees if it comes to that?