Gas and carbon monoxide

If you smell gas, or suspect there is a gas or carbon monoxide leak you should:

• immediately shut off the gas supply at the meter
• extinguish all naked flames
• open all windows

• do not use electrical switches
• phone the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999.

Once you have taken the above steps, please call the Rooftop helpline on 0800 0421 800 so that we can arrange a follow-up repair (this number is also available out of hours).

Around 50 people in the UK die every year and around 400 are hospitalised from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty gas appliances. Carbon monoxide gas is highly poisonous both to people and animals and is difficult to recognise because it has no colour, smell or taste. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Appliances need oxygen to burn properly - they draw air in from outside to mix with fuel and send the burnt gas outside through a flue. If the air supply or flue is blocked, the fuel can't burn properly and the flame will become yellow and weak instead of bright blue and strong - you may also see black soot marks on the wall above the appliance.

If you suspect you have a carbon monoxide problem, you should follow the same steps as outlined above for gas leaks.

We are responsible for the annual gas safety check of appliances owned and installed by us but there are things that you can do to help us. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 As your landlord, we must make sure that:

• a gas safety check is carried out once every 12 months on each appliance or flue at each property gas fittings, appliances, pipe work, and flues are maintained in a safe condition
• all these checks are carried out by a Gas Safe registered installer
• a copy of the current safety check record, the Landlord’s Gas Safety Record, is given to each tenant within 28 days of the check being carried out, and also to any new tenant before you move in.