Stepping on the gas brings warm praise

ENEHL have been recognised by the Audit Commission as a top performing ALMO for Gas Servicing in the last three years.

The report, released in January, highlights the importance of gas servicing by landlords to ensure the safety of tenants.

As a responsible landlord, ENEHL has a legal obligation to service and check the safety of all gas appliances in all its properties annually. This is done to make sure that all tenants are safe and also to make sure that all gas appliances are working efficiently.

ENEHL has worked hard with contractors and staff teams to ensure that gas services are carried out to all its council homes promptly, this has included offering flexible appointments and putting a large emphasis on explaining to customers why gas servicing is important and the dangers of un-serviced gas appliances.

Contractors and teams have constantly explored different ways of achieving access to the small number of homes each year who do not allow access for the annual service. This has proven successful as the number of outstanding services continues to fall as does the number of cases where formal legal action is needed to get access.

The Audit Commission highlighted innovative methods as areas of best practice that have contributed to high levels of performance. These include targeting specific action days, the use of prize draws to encourage early access and the use of community profiling information to find out more about which groups of tenants are less likely to allow access each year.

In achieving recognition in this area and with the ongoing high access levels to service gas appliances annually, ENEHL and its customers can be reassured that Health and Safety is being prioritised.

Councillor Les Carter, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for neighbourhoods and housing, said:
"The safety of tenants is of paramount importance and I'd like to congratulate the ALMO on receiving recognition from the Audit Commission in this area."

Angelena Fixter, chair of the East North East Homes Leeds board, said:
“To be recognised as a top performer in this field by the Audit Commission is exceptional and we are continuing to ensure that 100% of our properties are serviced.”

ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
Michael Molcher, Leeds City Council (0113) 224 3937
e-mail: michael.molcher@leeds.gov.uk