So I bought my first home this year - February 2021.
As I am a first time buyer I tried to be very careful and do all the due diligence. I had a survey done which identified issues with damp, electrics and possible asbestos. I got all of these checked out before buying. I also asked about any gas issues or recent gas checks via my solicitor and was supplied with a one month old British Gas report in which the boiler was repaired. There was no mention of a gas leak in this.
After buying the house and repairing the damp, I noticed the smell of gas. Long story short, the gas was switched off because it was found to have a major leak of 20. I was also told by the gas engineer that looking at his records, this leak was actually found 8 months ago at the time that the boiler was checked. The gas had actually been switched off at this point as it was deemed unsafe. This was way before I completed on the sale.
I have now found that I will have to repair this leak, which I understand.
However as the house has been sold to me with the gas back on (unsafe) and not disclosed when I requested this before purchase, is there anything that can be done? If I have to just get it sorted it’s fine but it all just seems a bit rogue and dangerous.
Advice is appreciated :)
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
If there is any smell of gas inside the property, open all windows to ventilate, Shut gas off at the gas meter via the lever valve.
Call out a gas safe engineer ASAP.
Immediately go to your gas meter and shut off your gas supply by turning the emergency control valve to the down position or as indicated on the yellow label on/off tape.
Call 0800 111 999 immediately after and explain your emergency.
Do not turn any lights on or off, do not create any form of ignition including lighting a cigarette.
Ventilate your property by opening doors & windows until the smell of gas has completely gone.
Cadent will attend the property within 2 hours to make the property safe.
You will then need to call a Registered Gas Engineer, I would recommend using the Gas safe register to find a trusted & local Engineer.
They will then quote for a trace & repair and carry out all necessary safety checks.
Good luck, be safe.
Well first things first British Gas aren’t the best in my opinion. If they have repaired the boiler chances are they never carried out a let by and tightness test. If this was reported 8 months prior to you purchasing it would’ve been the previous home owners responsibility. They may have had an engineer out and found no issue at the time, or possibility as you have mentioned about a damp situation a new leak has occurred via corrosion of the pipework? Believe it or not you can actually have a drop on a tightness test and still be within the limits to keep it on providing there is no smell of gas, other engineer probably couldn’t smell gas at the time. But just for peace of mind I would get it all inspected properly with a certificate on completion
Agree about the reply regarding the smell of gas, you must immediately turn off the gas, open all windows to ventilate the property, do not switch on or turn off any electrical items and then phone the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, preferably from outside the property.
My advice in this situation would be to seek legal advice and also contact Gas Safe Register, explain to them what you have said on here as it seems there may be something they might want to look into too. Their customer number is 0800 408 5500 and they might be able to provide more info. If the telephone number gets stripped prior to posting then just search for Gas Safe Register website, the telephone number is on there.
