FAQs

A. If you smell gas or are worried about gas safety, call the National Grid free on 0800 111 999 at any time, day or night every day of the year.

A. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is valid for ten years and must be carried out by accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs). The EPC report will provide the information that grades the property on its energy and carbon emission efficiency.

A. Neglected gas boilers can be a principle source of leaks and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Regular servicing not only improves gas safety and protects the occupants; it saves you money by extending the life of the boiler and minimising inconvenient breakdowns.

A. Electricity is an essential part of modern day living and dramatically enhances living standards. It does however have the potential to be lethal, cause injury or damage property if it is not correctly maintained. A landlord has an obligation to ensure that any electrical items supplied as part of a property letting are safe and not dangerous. This is to minimise the risk of injury, death or of damage to property.

A. The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 stipulates that landlords must have annual inspections for gas installations and appliances in rented accommodation. Penalties for infringement can be severe - with fines of up to £5,000, six months' (or more) imprisonment, or both! Plus the Housing Act (the HHSRS) requires that electrical appliances and installations are checked and tested in accordance with the Safety Regulations. The only way you can be absolutely sure that the gas and electrics in a property are safe is to get them tested and certificated with an annual electrical and gas safety report

A. A survey discovered that only 20% of UK homes have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. And fewer than half questioned (43%) knew that discolouration or staining around a gas appliance is a significant danger sign. According to figures from the Carbon Monoxide & Gas Safety Society, 367 people were killed by CO in the eight years to August 2003. 'Near misses' in the same period were 2,561 of which 1,394 required hospital treatment.

A. A Periodic Inspection is an in-depth inspection of the electrical installation, which produces a lengthy report detailing recommendations and remedial work required. The Periodic Inspection is the most detailed inspection of the electrical installation and ensures functionality and safety.

A.

Gas Safe Register - the official body for gas safety in United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey - recently released a technical bulletin advising on new regulations relating to flues in ceiling spaces.

The advice involves properties - mainly flats and apartments - that were built with boiler flues hidden behind walls, ceilings and voids, which cannot be inspected.

As of January 2011, all Gas Safe Register registered engineers need to be able to check and inspect the flue in its entirety as part of essential safety checks whenever the boiler is worked on. Gas Safe Register have reiterated that “a flue in poor condition, combined with a boiler that is not working properly, could put you and your family in danger from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death or serious injury.”

In short, if you have a boiler where all or part of the flue is hidden, the homeowner or landlord is required to have inspection hatches fitted. You have until 31 December 2012 for this work to be completed.

Gas Safety Register went on to explain that the new ruling does not mean that the flue system is suddenly unsafe. As long as the boiler passes a series of safety checks − including having audible carbon monoxide alarms fitted − it can be used normally for the time being.

From 1 January 2013, any Gas Safe Register registered engineer will be required to turn the boiler off and formally advise you not to use it until inspection hatches have been fitted in the appropriate places.

If you have any questions about this, don't hesitate to call your gas-elec regional office and we'll be happy to explain it to you: 0800 587 9999.

A. From the 1st of April 2009 CORGI will no longer be responsible for administering gas safety requirements in the UK. The whole administration will be done by CAPITA and all gas works and all gas engineers in gas-elec, will be registered under the Gas Safe Register. It will be a legal requirement for any engineer planning to undertake work in Great Britain after the 1st of April 2009 to be registered with Gas Safe Register.

A. gas-elec has three solutions.

1. The g-save works best on fully-pumped systems and can reduce heating bills by up to 31%. Winner of the Good Housekeeping magazine 'Green Living Award 2009' and finalist in the 2009 Green Business Awards 'Green Product' category, the g-save is a tried-and-tested, patented product that uses smart technology to optimise the operation of your central heating boiler, improving efficiency to greatly reduce gas consumption and lower your heating bills.
2. ge-switch is a consumer comparison website that offers you the widest range of energy suppliers in order to compare your gas and electricity prices. ge-switch helps you to find the best possible deal with the least amount of hassle.
3. The g3 is the big money-saving power deal: three great money-saving tools so that you can start saving £££s today.

A. By making a few simple adjustments, gas-elec can help you to not only save money on your annual fuel bill, but to make a difference in the global drive towards becoming more energy efficient.

1. The g-save works best on fully-pumped systems and can reduce heating bills by up to 31%. Winner of the Good Housekeeping magazine 'Green Living Award 2009' and finalist in the 2009 Green Business Awards 'Green Product' category, the g-save is a tried-and-tested, patented product that uses smart technology to optimise the operation of your central heating boiler, improving efficiency to greatly reduce gas consumption and lower your heating bills.
2. ge-switch is a consumer comparison website that offers you the widest range of energy suppliers in order to compare your gas and electricity prices. ge-switch helps you to find the best possible deal with the least amount of hassle.
3. The g3 is the big money-saving power deal: three great money-saving tools so that you can start saving £££s today.

A.

1. Lowers emissions
2. Prolongs the boiler's life
3. Optimises fuel efficiency
4. Makes it safer and greener
5. Minimises breakdowns or emergency call-outs

A. A number of regulations are in place to protect the tenant. They include the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulation 1995, Housing Health & Safety Rating System (England) Act 2004 and Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

A. gas-elec provides a host of products and services aimed specifically for landlords. From building insurance to annual safety checks and home safety kits, gas-elec partners the landlord in order to provide a one stop service.

A. Gas appliances must be checked by a qualified Gas Safe registered professional. Electrical appliances should be checked regularly by a qualified electrical engineer.

A. According to the Directgov website, a landlord's responsibilities include:

1. repairs to the structure and exterior of the property
2. repairs to heating and hot water installations
3. repairs to sinks, baths and other sanitary installations
4. safety of gas and electrical appliances that you supply
5. fire safety of furniture and furnishings that you supply
6. providing an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
7. protecting your tenant's deposit in a government-approved scheme

A. Tenants are responsible for taking good care of the property and paying the agreed rent. The tenant should also pay for other charges - like Council Tax or utility bills - unless the landlord has already included an amount for these in the rent.

A. To find out more about the franchise opportunities available with gas-elec, call 0800 015 2030.

A. We have a national network with engineers covering all postcodes in England, Scotland and Wales.