OK - a technical post, but one which could cost landlords a lot of money if they aren't careful. I'll keep it as straightforward as possible!
From 01 January 2013, the gas regulations change. These changes relate to the 'flue' - the waste pipe through which the gas appliance gets rid of its emissions. From 2013 a gas engineer must be able to touch all parts of the flue - not a problem if it's a short flue that goes straight through a wall, but a big problem if it is a long flue that goes up through the building and out through the roof.
From 2013, if the gas man can't touch all parts of the flue, your property will fail its gas safety test.
As such it may be necessary to install 'access hatches' in walls that enable the gas man to get to the flue, or even change the gas appliance.
What type of properties are at risk?
In theory, any property with a gas supply could be affected. However as most houses have a boiler that vents directly out through a wall, this isn't likely to be an issue. Of more concern would be:
How do I know if I'm affected.
We will be doing everything possible to alert landlords to problems in advance of 2013. If we become aware of a property that is likely to fail, we will talk to the landlord. However clearly we can't be held liable if a property slips through and fails without our expecting it. If you are concerned about your property failing, please call our maintenence manager in Northampton (Mick Hampson) or our property manager in Rugby (Wendy Hadley) who will advise you, and talk through your options.
Richard.
From 01 January 2013, the gas regulations change. These changes relate to the 'flue' - the waste pipe through which the gas appliance gets rid of its emissions. From 2013 a gas engineer must be able to touch all parts of the flue - not a problem if it's a short flue that goes straight through a wall, but a big problem if it is a long flue that goes up through the building and out through the roof.
From 2013, if the gas man can't touch all parts of the flue, your property will fail its gas safety test.
As such it may be necessary to install 'access hatches' in walls that enable the gas man to get to the flue, or even change the gas appliance.
What type of properties are at risk?
In theory, any property with a gas supply could be affected. However as most houses have a boiler that vents directly out through a wall, this isn't likely to be an issue. Of more concern would be:
- flats, where the gas appliance has a flue that goes up through the building to the roof, rather than straight out of the wall.
- houses that have back-boilers - the flues to these usually go up through the house to the roof.
How do I know if I'm affected.
We will be doing everything possible to alert landlords to problems in advance of 2013. If we become aware of a property that is likely to fail, we will talk to the landlord. However clearly we can't be held liable if a property slips through and fails without our expecting it. If you are concerned about your property failing, please call our maintenence manager in Northampton (Mick Hampson) or our property manager in Rugby (Wendy Hadley) who will advise you, and talk through your options.
Richard.
