Servicing

Gas Servicing

If you have any gas appliances in your home we are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check (this will also include your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm check). Our gas contractor, Liberty Gas, will write to you when your gas safety check is due and arrange a convenient appointment. We can offer appointments Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm with weekend appointments available where necessary. To confirm or rearrange an appointment email: [email protected] or telephone 01271 312500 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

We annually check the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Our contractor James Electrics will write to you to confirm the appointment when this is due. If you wish to rearrange this appointment, please call us.

Solid Fuel

All solid fuel appliances require annual servicing and a chimney sweep. Our contractor, Clean Sweeps, will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment. Please ensure your fire is extinguished and the appliance is cold before the appointment time. 

If you have installed your own appliance, you must instruct a HETAS-qualified contractor and provide us with the certificate of sweep for our records. If this is not possible, we can arrange this for you and recharge the costs. If you have a solid fuel appliance that you no longer use, we can remove it for you. It is against your tenancy agreement to install a solid fuel appliance without permission; if you have done so, it may be removed and the costs recharged to you. 

Septic Tanks

Septic tank systems are an effective, economical way of treating domestic effluent. They consist of two main components; an underground tank into which the raw sewage is fed and a drainage field where wastewater is released.

The tank works by separating the solids from the liquids and bacteria in the wastewater helps to break down the contaminates. The drainage field consists of a series of pipes (soakaway) which allows the liquid to drain into the surrounding soil.

Septic tanks will only operate properly if regularly desludged. You will know that the tank needs emptying too late if sludge levels are high, the drainage field floods, the drains back up or if it smells. If you notice any of the following please contact us.

Here are some do’s and don'ts if you have a septic tank system:

• Put all wastewater from your home in the system
• Act immediately if you notice a blockage or any sign of pollution
• Ensure all covers are secured but can be removed when necessary
• Use bleach and disinfectants sparingly as they kill the bacteria that digest the waste
• Never dispose of nappies, sanitary items, plastic or large solids as they will cause blockages
• Do not use your sink as a rubbish bin use a compost bin
• Do not block air vents
• Never enter a septic tank – the natural treatment process produces a toxic gas.

Periodic electrical testing

As part of new guidance and regulation changes, we’re making electrical safety a top priority.

We carry out electrical safety checks in your home every five years to make sure everything is working properly and safely. Our contractor, James Electrics, will contact you when your next inspection is due and arrange a suitable time. If you need to change the appointment, please let us know as soon as possible.

How you can help keep your home safe

• Report problems: let us know right away if you notice issues like flickering lights, tripped switches, or damaged sockets.
• Don’t overload sockets: plugging in too many devices can cause overheating and increase the risk of fire.
• Use appliances properly: always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and don’t use damaged or faulty equipment.
• Keep access clear: make sure areas around electrical panels and sockets are easy to reach for inspections or repairs.

Important safety tips

• Don’t do it yourself: never try to fix electrical problems on your own. Contact us so we can send a qualified electrician.
• Protect children: use socket covers to keep young children safe from electrical hazards.
• Keep water away: don’t use electrical appliances near water to avoid the risk of electric shock.

We try hard to arrange a time that suits you. Please let us know if you need to change an appointment or if we need to make any reasonable adjustments for you. 

If we cannot arrange a time with you or you refuse to let us in, we may take legal steps to access your home to carry out the work, which can lead to capping at the meter or recharges for no access.

When we carry out a safety check or a repair, our staff and contractors will treat you and your home with respect. They will always carry ID cards with them, will only enter your home if an adult is present, wear overshoes if you ask them to and ask permission to use your facilities.

We expect you to keep your appointment and allow access to your home. Please be considerate to contractors and have enough credit on your meter so we can complete the safety checks. Please give us at least 48 hours notice if you need to change the appointment.