To be safe in your home
To be safe in your home
At EHA, lots of people work together to help make sure you are safe in your homes – from building safety, to making sure gas checks are up to date.
Our Chief Executive has overall responsibility for safety at Eden Housing Association and is supported by staff across the organisation to ensure we deliver on this.
Our Property Compliance and Facilities Manager is responsible for making sure your homes are safe and manages the Property Compliance Team to help do this.
Our Property Compliance and Facilities Officers are responsible for:
- Gas Safety
- Electrical safety
- Mobility Scooter, E-bikes and Motorised Wheelchairs
- Fire Safety
- Asbestos Safety
- Lift Safety
- Solid Fuel Safety
- Asbestos Safety
- Legionella Safety
- Lead Paint Safety
If a member of the team gets in touch to arrange an appointment with you, your co-operation is very much appreciated to make sure that we can maintain safety for all tenants.
Gas Safety
As your landlord, we have a legal duty to ensure that all gas appliances, fittings and flues owned by Eden Housing Association and provided for your use are safe. This includes things like central heating, boilers and gas fires.
To do this, we must carry out an annual Gas Safety Check or gas service using registered Gas Safe engineers.
As a tenant, you are responsible for the safety and maintenance of your appliances. However, EHA is responsible for the safety of the connecting pipework and the flue.
When your boiler needs checking, our GAS SAFE registered contractors will contact you and arrange to visit and carry out this work, which is free. If you are not at home, they will leave a card asking you to contact them to make a further appointment. It is very important that you telephone immediately, even if you think a gas safety check has recently been completed. The service will normally take up to an hour of your time.
We will provide you with a Gas Safety Certificate within 28-days of the check being completed. If an appliance fails the inspection, we will work with you to advise and agree the next steps.
The Association has a legal responsibility to carry out a gas safety check in your home every twelve months. It is a criminal offence if we fail to carry this check out. This important check is carried out to make sure that the appliances we provide in your home are working correctly and are safe.
TENANT RESPONSIBILTY SAFETY INFORMATION
CO alarms
- Check your CO alarms once a week.
- Inform Eden Housing Association if the alarm is displaying a fault.
- If the alarm is identifying a low battery (replace battery).
EMERCENGY INFORMATION
If you smell gas
- If you alarm is activated and it is identifying CO monoxide follow the same guidance as above.
- Open doors and windows
- Turn the gas off at the meter
- Don’t smoke or use naked flames
- Don’t use electrical switches
- Call National Grid on 0800 111999
- Call us as soon as you can afterwards
- DO NOT BLOCK UP OR CLOSE VENTS
Gas meter tampering
Tampering with the gas meter in your home, known as ‘meter cheating’ is illegal and incredibly dangerous.
Damaging the gas supply risks dangerous leaks. Leaking gas is also highly flammable and can be easily ignited – flicking a light switch is all it takes to cause an explosion.
You can find out more about the risks involved with gas tampering on the Stay Energy Safe website.
Causes of gas cooker explosions:
- Gas leaks: The main cause is a gas leak from a faulty nozzle, valve, or connection, which allows dangerous levels of gas to build up.
- Poor ventilation: If a room is not well-ventilated, this can lead to a dangerous build-up of gas.
- Ignition sources: An ‘ignition source’ can cause the gas to explode. This could be an open flame or an electrical spark from a light switch, or other electrical equipment.
- Improper use: Forgetting to turn off the gas, or leaving the burner on without it igniting, can lead to a dangerous build-up of gas.
- Faulty appliance: A faulty gas cooker or cylinder, such as a faulty burner or nozzle, can be the cause of a leak
- No Flame Safety Device (FSD) fitted on a gas cooker: also known as flame failure devices (FFDs) are safety mechanisms that automatically shut off the gas supply if the flame goes out. They stop a dangerous build up of unburnt gas in the kitchen. Most modern cookers have them, but older models may not. Having a cooker with an FSD is especially important in multi-occupancy buildings like flats and assisted living schemes
Gas safety tips
- Make sure you know where your gas meter is located and how to turn off the gas supply in the event of an emergency
- Never cover an appliance such as a boiler or gas fire or block the air vents
- Never block or obstruct any fixed ventilation grilles or airbricks
- Never block or cover outside flues
- Never fit draught exclusion strips to doors of a room that contains a gas appliance
- Never use a gas appliance if you think it’s not working properly and never cover gas appliance
Oxygen tanks/ cylinders advice
Unless it’s for medical reasons, you must not use or store compressed gas within your home or any communal areas. Gas in cylinders can become a major hazard in a fire and must be stored safely at all times. If you are required to use and store compressed gas for medical reasons, for example oxygen, you must inform Eden Housing Association and the fire service.
You can arrange a Home Fire Safety Assessment with the Fire Service to discuss the safe storage of compressed gas.
- Please keep the oxygen device at least 3 metres away from any appliances that use an open flame.
- Please keep the device at least 1.5 metres away from other electrical appliances, such as television, hair dryer or electric heater.
- Do not to smoke or let anyone else smoke near to the tank when using the device.
- Do not use flammable liquids, such as cleaning fluids, paint thinner or aerosols when using the device and do not use oil-based emollients, such as Vaseline, when using the device.
If you are using an oxygen tank please contact: [email protected] and we can refer you to the fire service for a ‘Home Safety Visit and update our records.
Electrical Safety Checks (every 5 years)
As your landlord, we have a legal duty to ensure that the wiring in your home and any equipment owned by Eden Housing Association and provided for your use is safe. Eden Housing Association is committed to ensure tenants can live safe from electrical risk and therefore will carry out a full electrical installation condition report on all homes every 5 years.
When your home is due for the inspection our registered electrical contractor will contact you to arrange a visit to carry out the checks. You must make sure that sockets are easily accessible. The inspection can take up to 4 hours to complete.
Every five years, you must allow us access to your home to complete your electrical safety check. If you do not allow us access you will be in breach of your tenancy agreement and we will take legal action. This may result in you losing your home. Sometimes tenants do not want to let us into their homes to carry out this important work and we occasionally have to apply to the courts to help give us access. This can be a stressful and costly process for people, and is easily avoided by working with us.
Your safety is our main priority, please respond promptly to any calling cards or letters from us, our servicing contractors or our solicitors.
TENANT RESPONSIBILTY SAFETY INFORMATION
- Unplug appliances when you are not using them
- Always use appliances in line with manufacturers’ instructions,
- Do not overload sockets – only use one appliance at a time in each socket
- Make sure you use the correct size fuse in plugs
- If electrics are affected by water leakage DO NOT TOUCH and turn electricity supply at the consumer unit main switch and contact us immediately
- Only buy electrical appliances and chargers from a reputable source and always check for a British or European safety mark.
- Check your sockets regularly – if you see burn marks or they feel hot please contact us.
- Don’t put electric heaters near curtains or furniture and don’t dry clothes on them or cover the air vents on heaters.
- Don’t trail flexible cables under carpets or rugs – you won’t be able to see any damage.
- Switch off appliances at the socket when not in use. Switch off appliances when you go to bed or when you go out unless they are designed to be left on (e.g. fridge freezer).
- Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order. Look out for fuses that blow, circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reason and flickering lights.
- Don’t use water on an electrical fire. Pull the plug out or switch the power off if it is safe to do so and call the fire brigade.
Charging phones and other devices
- Only buy electrical appliances and chargers from a reputable source and always check for a British or European safety mark.
- Always charge the device on a flat, stable surface.
- Never cover chargers or charging devices. Do not charge your phone under your pillow.
- Don’t leave devices unsupervised while they are charging. Don’t leave batteries to charge while you are asleep or away from your home.
- Don’t leave devices to charge for too long, switch off the charger and remove from the socket once your device is at full battery.
- Avoid storing, using, or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures. If your charger feels hot it may be faulty, and should be checked by a professional or disposed of safely.
- Don’t overload plug sockets or adaptors.
- Make sure wires and cables are not tangled together.
- Regularly check for frayed or worn cables and wires. Check to see if the cable is fastened securely to the plug and check the socket for scorch marks.
Alterations: Before allowing anyone to carry out electrical work in your home, you are required to contact Eden Housing Association for permission. We will require you are to use a registered electrician with one of the government-approved schemes.
Mobility Scooters E-Bikes & Motorised Wheelchair
Eden Housing have specific guidance on Mobility Scooters & E-bikes. Please view our Policy & Procedure here.
TENANT RESPONSIBILTY SAFETY INFORMATION
• Never charge your electric bikes or scooters while you’re sleeping or not at home
• Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging
• Only charge batteries in a room that has fire or heat detectors fitted
• Never charge or store e-bikes, e-scooters or mobility scooters in hallways, corridors or near exits, and never block your escape route with one.
• Never tamper with the battery and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Do not use or charge batteries that appear damaged, swollen, leaking or excessively hot
• Store batteries away from flammable materials and never on beds or sofas
• Ensure your battery and charger meets UK safety standards and always use the correct charger
• Never cover your charger as this could lead to it overheating or setting on fire
• Be wary of DIY kits bought on-line to convert a standard bike into an e-bike
• If a battery overheats, smokes or catches fire, leave the property immediately and call 999
• Test your smoke alarms regularly, at least monthly
Be wary of DIY kits to convert a standard bike into an e-bike
Most e-bikes and e-scooters on the market in the UK bought from reputable manufacturers meet the stringent safety regulations, but many of the safety issues are arising from converter kits, which are lithium-ion battery packs designed to convert a standard bike to an e-bike.
There are growing concerns about these converter kits sold online, which do not meet UK safety regulations and present an increased fire risk.
Fire Safety
Both EHA and residents are responsible for checking and improving fire safety in residential properties. You should always let EHA know straight away if you have any concerns about fire safety.
Building Safety Act
The new law focusses on:
The Building Safety Act (2022) outlines the legal steps we need to take as your landlord to make sure your home is safe. It was introduced following the Grenfell Tragedy of 2007 to make sure no tenants are at risk due to the construction and management of their home.
- The safety and standards of all buildings.
- Assuring the safety of higher-risk buildings, both in construction and occupation.
- Improving the competence of the people responsible for overseeing, managing, and delivering works to higher-risk buildings.
- Ensuring clearer standards and guidance.
- Putting residents at the heart of a new system of building safety
EHA Responsibilities
EHA must:
- provide smoke alarms on each floor of your home – depending on what type of heating you have, an engineer who does your annual heating service will also check your smoke detector. If you have electric storage heaters, a contractor will make a special visit to check this for you.
- check the alarms are working when your tenancy begins
- repair or replace faulty smoke alarms
- install a carbon monoxide alarm if there is a gas appliance in habitable rooms (bedrooms/living rooms) of the property, or solid fuel burner
- make sure that front doors of flats and communal areas (like corridors and staircases) have self-closing fire doors installed
EHA has a legal duty to make sure that a fire risk assessments in communal areas is carried out and remove any fire risks and hazards, or to reduce these as far as possible.
EHA and tenants must ensure that fire exits and escape routes in buildings are not blocked, and that everyone in the building knows the evacuation plan in case there is a fire.
Tenant responsibilities
Fire precautions
- Check your battery-operated smoke alarms once a week, and replace the battery if necessary
- Have a fire plan – know how to escape safely, remove any obstructions
- Don’t drink alcohol and fry – never leave chip pans unattended
- Put out all cigarettes safely – don’t throw them into bins
- Place keys where you can find them
In the event of fire – GET OUT, CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE AND STAY OUT
- Do not use the lifts
Make sure you’re aware of the fire evacuation plan and do not place items to obstruct escape routes.
For all tenants and residents living in flats and or living in assisted living or extra care schemes
Because your new home is a flat, next to other similar properties, it is covered by a fire risk assessment. This assessment is carried out every year by a specialist contractor who helps us to make sure that your home is as safe as possible.
If you would like to see a copy of your most recent Fire Risk Assessment please contact [email protected]
If your block has a fire alarm system fitted, it is checked every week by a specialist contractor.
To help keep you and your neighbours safe, we also need your help:
- Please check your smoke detectors are working by pressing the test button twice a year – it is easiest to remember on two set days – perhaps the days the clocks change.
- If you notice any problems with the fire doors or alarm system, please report them promptly to our repairs team on 01768 861400 or [email protected]
- Please let us in to your home to carry out the checks we need to every year
Please see the link to Fire Safety in Flats to give you more guidance and information on safety.
Fire Evacuation
Residents’ action upon hearing the Fire Alarm (Fire in Flats)
Please ensure you are aware of the fire evacuation procedure in your building and know how to raise an alarm and the location of the assembly points. You will receive the Fire Evacuation Plan for your building at the start of a new tenancy. Schemes will carry out regular evacuation drills and general needs properties will receive an annual reminder of the Evacuation Plans for their building.
Fire Doors
We also check all fire doors on a regular basis – the doors in communal areas are checked every six months, and the front door to your home is checked annually. We check to make sure that the doors fit properly, that the closing mechanisms work properly and that the doors aren’t damaged. Once a year you will therefore need to let us in to your flat to check your door.
Eden Housing Association have a duty to provide you with fire safety information, please follow the guidance below relating to fire doors:
- Fire Doors should be kept shut when not in use.
- Do not tamper with self-closing devices.
- Report any fault or damage immediately to EHA
Viewpoint – our regular digital newsletter always carries updates on the latest health and safety news for our tenants – keep an eye out for reminders and updates.
If you have any queries on the above, please contact us on 01768 861400.
Solid Fuel Safety
As your landlord, Eden Housing Association has a responsibility to carry out an annual inspection check and sweep of your Solid Fuel appliances in the property.
TENANT RESPONSIBILTY SAFETY INFORMATION
- Ventilation – Always keep air vents clear to allow proper airflow and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide build up.
- Fuel Use – Only burn the recommended fuels for your appliance. Avoid treated wood, household waste, or damp fuel, as these can cause blockages and harmful fumes and Chimney fires, this will also end in poor appliance performance.
- Carbon Monoxide Alarms – These are checked annually by Eden Housing Association, however, please test it regularly and report any faults immediately
- Report Issues Promptly – If you notice smoke escaping into your room, unusual smells, or difficulty lighting the appliance, stop using it and contact us straight away.
- Self-Annual Checks – Before winter approaches, check the chimney cowl, throat plate and be cautious on the first light. Report any concerns to Eden Housing Association.
If you buy fuel accompanied by the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo, you can be confident that you are choosing the cleanest available fuels.
Note: dependent on the type of solid fuel being burnt, you may have to carry out additional flue cleaning. Eden Housing Association will not be responsible for any costs following failure to do this.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in rock. It was used in building products in the UK particularly during the 1960s and 1970s because it is very strong and resistant to heat and chemicals.
The use of asbestos materials was stopped in 1999 but any building built before 2000 may contain asbestos.
If you have asbestos in your home, you do not need to be worried. If it is in good condition, it is not usually a problem.
Asbestos only becomes dangerous when it is damaged or disturbed. This is because it releases invisible fibres into the air. If we breathe in these fibres, they can get stuck in the tissues of the chest or lungs. This can cause diseases including Asbestosis and Mesothelioma.
Ask before you DIY!
You must contact us first if you’re planning home improvements. We can check our records and see if your home is likely to contain asbestos and where it is located.
If you or anyone else carries out work on your home without our permission, you may have to pay for the asbestos to be made safe and then removed at a later date by a licensed contractor. Remember, this is an important part of your tenancy agreement and if you don’t let us know about your DIY plans you will be in breach of your tenancy agreement.
Don’t:
- Saw, sand or drill holes in any material that
- contains asbestos
- Try and remove old floor tiles, linoleum or the
- glue affixing them
- Dust, sweep or vacuum debris that you think
- may contain asbestos
- Try to remove textured coating from ceilings
How we deal with asbestos in your home?
If asbestos is not damaged, it’s safest to leave it in place.
Where asbestos is a hazard, we make it safe by enclosing it or removing it. We also carry out surveys on our properties to find out if they contain asbestos and what condition it is in.
We’ll let you know when our trained asbestos surveyors are going to be carrying out these surveys at your home, and it’s really important that you allow us access.
Report asbestos
If you suspect you may have disturbed asbestos or have found a suspected asbestos product and are worried that dust may be released, please leave the room where the suspect material was found, close the door to that room and contact us on 01768 861400. We will discuss and assess the situation with you and agree the best course of action.
Find more information on
Asbestos here:
www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/
Legionella – Water Hygiene
Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria present in water. Although the risk is very low, there is a chance that Legionella bacteria can develop in stagnant or stored water in your home.
Legionnaire’s disease is a lung infection you can get from inhaling droplets of water containing the bacteria that causes the infection. It’s uncommon, but it can be very serious for some people.
Visit the NHS website to find out more about symptoms and treatment: www.nhs.uk/conditions/legionnaires-disease
Eden Housing Association make sure that the water systems in our properties are installed and maintained to the highest standards.
However, if your home has been empty for an extended period of time, perhaps if you’ve been away on holiday or in hospital, there is a chance that the quality of your water may be affected by the growth of bacteria, which occurs naturally in the water mains supply.
In our extra care and sheltered accommodation we have a testing regime that is carried out by a specialist contractor.
TENANT RESPONSIBILTY SAFETY INFORMATION
- Keep your hot water on your thermostat to at least 60°C, as Legionella bacteria can’t survive high temperatures
- Avoid stagnation by keeping your water moving. Run the tap or shower for around two minutes if they’re not used regularly, and flush toilets that haven’t been used in over a week
- Shower heads and taps should be regularly cleaned to help kill off any bacteria
Lead Paint
Lead Paint in your home – what you need to know.
Your safety is important to us. Some older homes built before the 1960s may contain layers of historic lead-based paint underneath more modern paint finishes. Lead paint was commonly used in the UK many years ago but is no longer used in household decorative paints
If you’re redecorating your home, it’s important to be aware of the risks, including the risk lead-based paint. We’ve set out some key points to note about Lead Paint, risks and what to do if you think you might have lead paint in your home.
What is lead paint?
Lead paint is paint that contains lead compounds. It was commonly used on:
- Doors
- Window frames and sills
- Skirting boards
- Staircases and bannisters
- Metalwork such as radiators and pipes
Is there a risk to me and my family?
For most people, the answer is no.
Lead paint is generally considered low risk if it:
- Is in good condition.
- Is covered by modern paint.
- Is not flaking or peeling.
- Is not being disturbed by DIY or building work.
TENANT RESPONSIBILTY SAFETY INFORMATION
If paint is damaged, peeling or likely to be knocked, it’s best to address it to prevent dust from spreading. If you suspect lead paint in your home, especially if it’s flaking or poor condition, it’s best to take action Frequently asked questions on lead – HSE
✔ Do
- A fresh cost of modern paint can seal in older lead paint
- Report peeling, damaged or flaking paint to us.
- Keep painted surfaces clean and well maintained.
- Supervise young children in areas where paintwork is damaged.
- Let us know if you suspect you have lead paint and it’s damaged.
✘ Don’t
- Dry sand old paintwork.
- Burn paint off using a naked flame.
- Scrape large areas of old paint without taking appropriate precautions.
- Allow children to play with or touch flaking paint.
What are we doing as your landlord?
We are committed to providing safe homes and managing any potential risks responsibly.
This includes:
- Maintaining homes and communal areas in good condition.
- Investigating reports of deteriorating paintwork.
- Using safe working practices during repairs and refurbishment projects.
- Keeping residents informed about any identified risks.
- Following relevant health and safety guidance
Who’s at the door?
All EHA staff and contractors carry photo-identity cards. For you own safety and security, ALWAYS ask to see ID cards before allowing anyone into your home, and check them carefully. EHA staff and contractors should always show their ID without being asked.