Torquay County Court has found that two Teign Housing tenants were not only taking their own lives into their hands when they refused an annual, free gas safety check, but they were putting the lives of those living around them at risk too.
Andrew Hitt, from Glebe Close, Newton Abbot, and a tenant from Hawkins Road, Newton Abbot, who cannot be named as legal proceedings still continue, were both condemned by a District Judge for failing to comply with the terms for access as set out in their tenancy agreements.
As a result, injunctions have been brought against them, forbidding them from refusing access to their homes for the gas safety check. Costs of £150 each were also awarded to Teign Housing. Hitt has subsequently allowed access to his home, but the tenant from Hawkins Road will face the judge again for contempt of court as access to allow the short, free, safety inspection has still been denied.
Every year, around 30 people in Britain are killed as a result of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, but this could be prevented. By law, gas appliances in Teign Housing properties must be checked at least once a year to ensure they are working safely.
Jo-Ann Drury, Teign Housing neighbourhood services manager, said: 'When lives are at risk we can't take any chances. 'We'd repeatedly contact both tenants through letters and visits to their homes to explain that the check is a legal requirement and completely free of charge. When they still refused to let us in we had to take this action to safeguard others.'
Teign Housing takes a zero tolerance approach to tenants who refuse access for essential maintenance work. Allowing this life-saving annual test to take place is a condition of tenancy. Landlords are legally required to take 'all reasonable steps' to ensure gas safety work is carried out because it is so important.
Known as the 'invisible killer' you can't see or smell carbon monoxide – but if you don't have your gas boiler serviced every year, you could unwittingly be filling your home with its deadly poison, said the manager. Exposure to even relatively low levels of carbon monoxide can cause brain damage or death. Carbon monoxide can be produced when a gas appliance has not been correctly installed or maintained, or if a flue or chimney has become blocked.