Carbon monoxide leak, what are my rights as a tenant?

Bought carbon monoxide monitor to take on holiday, plugged it in to check it was working before we travel and the alarm went crazy. We moved in February 10th and since then my children have had numerous days off school and been unwell with coughs and sickness. Called letting agent immediately and they sent plumber round, who at once disconnected the boiler because the ventilation flue was taped together with masking tape an fumes were leaking back into the kitchen where my family spend almost all their time. Help, I feel like with holding this months rent as we've been living in a danger zone for two months. I must have some rights.

Gas safety

Badly-maintained gas fittings and appliances produce carbon monoxide, a lethal gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills people in this country every year. If your property has gas, your landlord is required by law to ensure gas fittings and flues are maintained in a safe condition ensure an annual safety check is carried out on each gas appliance/flue. Before any new lease starts, he must make sure that these checks have been carried out within one year before the start of the lease date, unless the appliances in the property have been installed for less than 12 months, in which case they should be checked within 12 months of their installation date.
have all installation, maintenance, and safety checks carried out by a CORGI registered gas installer.
keep a record of each safety check for 2 years.
issue a copy of the safety check record to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed, or to any new tenant before they take up residence (in certain cases there is an option to display the record).

The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for gas safety and enforces the The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Breach of these may involve the landlord in criminal liability.

If you are concerned about gas safety where you or someone else lives you can ring:
HSE Gas safety advice line 0800 300363 or
Transco Gas Leak 0800 111999

Be aware of Carbon Monoxide - it can kill

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. It can be given off through household appliances which burn gas, oil, wood or coal if they are not working properly.
Look out for gas flames that normally burn blue, burning orange or yellow instead, sooty stains above the appliances, coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out.
Make sure that your household appliances are checked every year for safety. If you live in rented accommodation, insist that your landlord do this.
Ensure your home is well ventilated - make sure chimneys are clear and vents are not blocked.

If you develop any of the following unexplained symptoms, switch off the appliance and contact your doctor:
drowsiness
headaches
chest pains
nausea
diarrhoea or stomach pains.

For more information contact either of the helplines listed.

Organisations
CO-Awareness

CO-Awareness is an organisation that supports victims of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, their families and friends.

Website: http://www.co-awareness.co.uk/
CORGI - Council for Registered Gas Installers

CORGI (the Council for Registered Gas Installers) is the National Watchdog for Gas Safety in the United Kingdom. Our mission is to promote and enhance gas safety, standards and quality in a professional and ethical manner.

By law if you or your landlord is fitting gas appliances like a gas boiler, gas central heating system or gas fire, these must be fitted by a contractor registered with CORGI. CORGI investigate complaints against contractors and issues certificates to its members.

Telephone: 0870 401 2300
Address: 1 Elmwood , Chineham Business Park, Crockford Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 8WG.
Email: enquiries@cargi-gas.com
Website: http://www.corgi-gas-safety.com/
Health and Safety Executive Gas Safety Advice Line
For enquiries regarding gas burning appliances contact the Health & Safety Executive Gas Safety Advice Line.

Telephone: 0800 300363
Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/
Solid Fuel Association
The Solid Fuel Association is the official body set up by the coal industry to encourage the use of solid fuel for home heating.

Telephone: 0800 600 000
Address: 7 Swanwick Court, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 7AS.
Email: sfa@solidfuel.co.uk
Website: http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/

Call local health department.

Contact your land lord 1st. If that does not work, contact your health dept. last then go to land lord tenet court. This may, also away to get out of your lease.

Your family safety comes 1st.

I'd call the local health department and tell them your story.

I'm sorry for you and your family as it can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, faintness, and, at high levels, death., but I bet you are really glad you checked up on it. You should find all the information you're looking for on the Environmental Protection Agency website:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html

Oh my I hope that you all aren't still staying in there...you could have carbon monoxide poisoning.

it depends on where you live

generally speaking you can withhold rent from your landlord only for serious issues that you have notified the landlord about and they refuse to pay for.
If you cannot live in your house for a week because it has toxic CO levels then you should be able to discount your rent by 1-weeks worth. As for the 'damages' caused by the CO poisioning to your children, I believe you would have to take the landlord to court, but you likely have a good case considering the negligence of the previous plumber/HVAC person who simply put masking tape on the flue.

Maybe you should just be thankful that no one was seriously harmed and the problem will be sorted out.

DON'T STOP PAYING RENT. Keep paying your rent since that is your legal obligation.

It does sound like your landlord is criminally negligent and you could possibly have a case.

The best thing to do is contact a lawyer.

Moreover, I would start looking for a new place live. Who knows what other shortcuts your landlord has taken.

my guess is that the landlord has an obligation to fix the problem. I'm not sure what would happen if you with held the rent...but the problem needs to be taken care of ASAP. I would contact an attorney to see exactly what you can do.

Get the authorities involved and report your landlord/agent. They should have obtained gas safety certificate each year - carbon monoxide is lethal - you and your children could lose their lives to it. This is serious and illegal.

im not for sure about this but i think carbon monoxide only gives you a headache not sickness as in sick to your stomach....and as far as holding money from the landlord....no you cannot do this....you have to pay your rent whether you were living in danger or not

i have had a gas fire fitted by a company in carlisle i have got carbon monixied leak in my house the alram is going off. i have contacted the firm who put the fire in and they said there is nothing wrong with the fire. what can i do about this, thank you stephen

my daughter was hospitalized for 5day due to the neglect of my landlord due to c/o poisoning i would like to know how to go through the courts to make sure this doednt happen to any1 else

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment:

Archive: Forum -Forum -Finance - Links - 1 - 2 - RSS - All RSS Feeds
The Causes and the Results. 0.054
Copyright (c) 2011 Financial Crisis Monday, May 28, 2012 - Terms of use - Privacy Policy