Each year, Torus pledges it’s support for Gas Safety Week, which aims to raise public awareness of gas safety, highlight the dangers of unsafe or unserviced boilers and gas appliances and encouraging Torus tenants to allow access into their homes for their annual gas safety check.

This years was planned for 12-18 September, but was understandably put on-hold in respect to the passing of the Queen.

The week is now running for Torus 10-15 October, where we will focus on raising awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This year, Gas Safety Week was looking at addressing a whole range of gas safety matters for gas users across the country – focussing on the steps consumers can take to ensure they stay safe, including not attempting DIY on gas appliances and being aware of the warning signs of unsafe appliances, such as dark or sooty staining around an appliance.

A leaking gas appliance can cause explosions. Boilers, fires and cookers that aren’t well maintained can produce carbon monoxide (CO) gas, that you can't see, smell or taste, but its effects can be fatal. A regular inspection will help keep you safe and could help to keep your fuel bills down.

As a landlord, we are legally responsible for the safety of our tenants. Annually, by law, we must visit every Torus property, whether you use your gas supply or not, to check heating systems, appliances and smoke detectors are safely installed and that any faults are fully repaired. We also check any solid fuel appliances e.g., wood burners and ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted and working correctly.

Barrie Frodsham, Torus Compliance Manager said:

“This year there have been a number of explosions and fatalities due to poorly maintained gas appliances and we don’t want this to happen to our customers. We take the safety of our tenants and communities very seriously and have a legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety check on all our properties using our Gas Safe Registered engineers.
“It is vital that all our customers allow prompt access to their homes so that we can carry out these legal and important essential gas safety checks, to keep tenants, their families and neighbours safe.

“We just want our customers and communities to be safe and tenants who do not allow access to their home to carry out the gas safety check are in breach of their tenancy agreement which can result in Torus being forced into taking legal action, where tenants could incur court costs more than £1,000, or even lose their home.

“Those tenants who repeatedly fail to allow access on an annual basis for this mandatory gas safety check and service will be pursued accordingly for noncompliance of their tenancy agreement.

“There are no excuses to not allow access for the annual gas safety check, it is a free service Torus provides to all its tenants, and the additional costs to Torus of having to repeatedly chase tenants to allow access is unacceptable.

“By allowing first time access tenants will reduce the risk to themselves, family, friends and neighbours. They will also be entered a free quarterly prize draw worth £100 of high-street vouchers, and any savings that are made by allowing prompt access will be used to reinvest in our properties and communities.”

Torus take a collaborative approach to complete the annual gas safety check in Torus domestic properties and this work is carried out by our trusted gas contract partner HMS and access supported by all Torus tenant-facing teams.

Jonathan Samuel, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said:

“During these difficult times, it’s important to stay aware of the warning signs of an unsafe gas appliance and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer if you’re worried something’s wrong, as well as having your annual gas safety check. We’re delighted to see so much support for this year’s Gas Safety Week, and by working together we can keep the public informed of gas safety and help reduce the risk of dangerous gas appliances across the UK, helping the whole nation to stay gas safe.”

Another element of this year’s Gas Safety Week is the impact of the cost-of-living and the increasing energy bills.

Barrie added:

“This year, we are very aware that as we approach winter and with the cost-of-living crisis really starting to bite and energy costs increase for everyone, we want customers not to be tempted to put themselves into more danger by being tempted to do their own DIY on gas appliances or tampering with gas equipment or bringing dangerous gas appliances, such as those that use bottled gas, into their home.

“Torus is also here to support those who may be struggling, with advice and practical support.

“Torus tenants should also not contemplate having a gas fire or solid fuel fire installed before submitting a permission form with full details of their request. This application will then be reviewed, and a decision will be made on if the installation can go ahead. No work should be started until permission has been given in writing from Torus. We have encountered several recent incidents in which tenants have had an installation carried out, which has subsequently been found to be unsafe. It is important that tenants ask permission to prevent an unsafe situation arising and to make sure they comply with the term of their tenancy.”

Your gas safety check appointment

Remember, carbon monoxide kills. If you can let us in, please do. However, if you have any concerns, wish to change your gas appointment or have any questions please call 0800 678 1894 or email info@torus.co.uk.

Find out more about gas safety and your safety check here.

To keep you and your family safe, follow Gas Safe Register’s top tips:

• If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999. You should also report if your Carbon Monoxide Alarm goes off.
• Know the symptoms of CO poisoning - headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
• Have an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.
• Never attempt to work on a gas appliance yourself, always seek the help of a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer who can work on your gas cooker, boiler or fire in a safe way.
• Check for warning signs your appliances aren’t working correctly e.g., lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
• Don’t cut corners - only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home.
• Always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card, which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.
• Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.
• Not a Torus tenant? We want all our communities to stay safe, so if you live in your own home or privately rent, you should have your gas appliances checked every year. For gas safety advice or to find and check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively, call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.

Permissions:

Torus tenants are responsible to clean, maintain and repair their own gas cooker and must get permission to carry out any gas works in their home, which must be done using a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. Permissions to carry out gas works can be requested by calling Torus Customer Hub on 0800 678 1894 or emailing info@torus.co.uk.

Struggling with your bills, rent or tenancy?

As costs of fuel and energy rise for everyone, we want to reassure our customers that we are here for them. We have a range of dedicated teams ready to help:

• Our charitable arm, Torus Foundation can help with practical support and advice, contact them directly to find out how they could help you, call 0300 123 5809 or info@torusfoundation.org.uk.
• If you are struggling to pay your rent please get in touch as soon as possible, as it is better to contact us as soon as possible so that we can help. Call 0800 678 1894 or email info@torus.co.uk and ask to speak to our Income Service Team, who can agree an affordable repayment plan and provide specialist advice on claiming benefits, maximising your income, and managing debt.
• If you are struggling to manage your tenancy, contact the Torus Tenancy Sustainment Team, who can provide support. Call 0800 678 1894 and ask to speak to the Duty Tenancy Sustainment Officer or each area has their own team, email yours directly on:
  • Liverpool - tenancysustainliverpool@torus.co.uk
  • St Helens - tenancysustainsthelens@torus.co.uk
  • Warrington - tenancysustainwarrington@torus.co.uk

Find out more about support with rent and money here.

You can also find a full range of support relating to increasing energy prices here, plus a range of energy saving tips here.

You can still keep up to date with Gas Safe Register’s updates and advice throughout Gas Safety Week by following @GasSafeRegister @GasSafeRegister on Twitter, using #GSW22 and #GasSafetyWeek.