Following serious concerns over a backlog in Landlord Gas Safety Records, Dover District Council has taken quick and positive action to ensure tenant safety now and for the future.
The Council took swift action when informed of this issue and asked EKH to spare no expense in securing additional contractors to complete the safety checks, and to provide us with a daily update on progress.
This morning, Dover District Council Cabinet agreed to request a further report on the wider issues of housing management, and to carry out a consultation with Council tenants on withdrawal from East Kent Housing, including the option of bringing the housing management function back within the Council’s direct control.
Cllr Sue Chandler, DDC Cabinet Member for Housing said: “We have a responsibility to make sure tenants are safe and the process of gas certification is an important part of that. The Council needs to consider the wider concerns, but it is important that while this current review takes place there is continuity in housing management, and any changes we may make are done in a sensible and proper way.”
It is emphasised that the lack of a gas safety certificate does not imply that the gas appliances are faulty or unsafe in any way. It does mean that they have not been checked for gas safety as required by law.
The Council is reassured that the gas certificates are expected to be up to date by the end of this week.
For more information, please see the reports to Cabinet today.
Posted on 01 July 2019