Muir joins Gas Safety Access Campaign
Muir Group Housing is throwing its weight behind a new campaign, which aims to make it easier for the association to check gas appliances in its residents’ homes.
The Gas Access Campaign is trying to change the law and make it easier for housing providers to protect people in their homes.
Nationally, over 14,500 homes are currently classed as ‘unsafe’ as a direct result of refusal to gain access for a gas safety check. There is also a huge financial implication for the industry, with the current system of gas access estimated to cost the sector £500m during the next 10 years.
And with over 5,000 properties across the country, Muir is joining the campaign that aims to tackle a deficiency in the law which prevents housing associations from gaining entry to customers’ homes in a timely manner if they are denied access by customers.
Sam Scott, Director of Housing Services at Muir said:
“Residents who prevent access not only endanger the lives of the people living in their home, but also their surrounding neighbours as well.
“Simply, there is an inequality in the law as it stands. While local authorities can get same-day court orders to access properties where tenants refuse access to gas engineers; it can take up to four months for housing associations such as Muir. The current legislation is not fit for purpose - it is needlessly putting lives at risk and it is not providing our residents with value for money.
“That’s why Muir are joining other housing associations in supporting the Gas Access Campaign. We want to help ensure that there is a level playing field across the sector when it comes to gas safety legislation.”
So far more than 67 housing associations across the country have signed up to the Gas Access Campaign, reaching one over one million homes in the process.
You can find out more about the campaign by visiting www.gasaccesscampaign.org.uk