2. Gas safety
Gas is used in your home for heating, hot water and cooking. When gas appliances are not working properly, they can be dangerous and increase the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
What we do
Under the Gas Safety Regulations (installation and use) (1998), as your landlord, we must carry out a free gas safety check every year.
Each year:
- all council-owned gas appliances are inspected and serviced by our approved contractors
- gas fittings and flues are checked to make sure they are safe
- smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are tested and replaced if needed
To help meet this requirement, we use an ‘MOT‑style’ service approach. You will be contacted two months in advance of your gas service expiry date to arrange an appointment. Getting in touch early allows us to work with you to find a convenient time for access, minimise any disruption, and ensure all essential checks are completed before the deadline. Because we operate an ‘MOT‑style’ service, if we access your home and complete the gas service before the anniversary date, your original anniversary date will remain the same. It will not move forward.
You must allow access for this inspection - it is a legal requirement. You must allow us into your home to do this. If you refuse entry or fail to keep appointments, we will take legal action to enter your home and you will be responsible for our costs.
During the annual gas service, our engineers will need to access all rooms of your home to test and check smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and radiators. They will also check your boiler, gas meter and any other gas appliance. You should ensure that these areas and equipment are accessible before the engineer attends.
We also carry out a basic safety check on tenant-owned gas appliances, but you are responsible for arranging annual servicing of your own appliances (such as gas cookers or fires) using a Gas Safe registered engineer.
The day after the annual gas service, our approved contractors will post the Gas certificate to you by second class mail. You can expect this to be delivered to you within 2 weeks after the service.
Carbon monoxide safety
Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. It can be produced when gas appliances do not burn properly.
Symptoms can include:
- headaches
- dizziness or drowsiness
- nausea
- chest or stomach pain
These symptoms can be mistaken for flu.
If you have a carbon monoxide alarm, you should test it monthly. If you think it is not working, please let us know by contacting us immediately via email on housing.repairs@exeter.gov.uk or by phone 01392 265031.
What to do if you suspect carbon monoxide
If you think carbon monoxide may be present:
- open doors and windows immediately
- turn off gas appliances and leave the property
- seek medical advice and tell them you suspect carbon monoxide
- if you are in immediate danger, call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999
- contact us so we can arrange an urgent inspection
What to do if you suspect a gas leak
If you smell gas or think there is a leak:
- turn off the gas supply at the meter
- open all doors and windows
- do not smoke or use naked flames
- do not use electrical switches, doorbells or mobile phones
- leave the property and make sure others leave too
- call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999
Once it is safe, contact us so we can arrange follow-up repairs.
Report a concern
Contact us immediately via our Report a council housing fault or repair page if:
- your boiler or gas appliance is not working properly
- a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is missing or faulty
- you believe an appliance or alarm has been tampered with