All of us at Co-op Homes want to help you to live safely in your home. The pages on the right give you important information about key health and safety priorities and explain some of the measures we take to keep you safe.
We're keen to share relevant information so that you can enjoy living in your property without worrying. At times though, things can go wrong, and it's then that the correct information will help you to take the correct action. Click on the titles in the expanding sections on this page to read about various health and safety topics.
How to prevent damp and mould
The tragic case of Awaab Ishak, who died of a respiratory condition caused by mould in his home, has rightly focused attention on the responsibility of us as registered providers to ensure that our homes are well-maintained and of a decent standard.
We also know that when summer ends we are faced with colder weather and temperatures can drop into single figures in the evenings. This can cause condensation in many homes. Condensation is caused by water vapour or moisture meeting a colder surface, like a window or wall then soaking into wallpaper, paintwork, or plasterwork. Over time black mould grows in the affected areas.
Mould can appear anywhere around the home, but you may notice it in corners of rooms with external walls and around your windows. It’s also found in areas with poor air circulation, such as behind furniture that’s been pushed up against walls. By making small changes around your home you’ll start to notice a difference, and the level of mould should reduce should you notice it in your home. Try these tips to reduce mould live more comfortably:
• Wipe down your windows and windowsills every day to remove condensation
• Where you can, keep your home warm and at an even temperature: between 18 and 21 degrees.
• Keep internal doors closed to prevent heat escaping and moisture transferring into other rooms.
• Open windows and doors slightly and often. Newer UPVC windows will have trickle vents that’ll allow you to ventilate your home more easily. Don’t close these.
• Don’t block airbricks or vents.
• When bathing, use your extractor fan if you have one and open the window. Keep the door closed until any steam escapes.
• When cooking, use your extractor fan if you have one, cover pots with lids, and open the window.
• Where possible, dry clothes outdoors, or use a clothes airer in the bathroom with the door closed. If you already have mould growth, it won’t go away by itself. You will need to treat the affected areas, and this can be done by regularly wiping it down with a shop-bought mould killer spray, or diluted household bleach.
For more tips, check out our RHP Group’s helpful video on this page https://www.coophomes.coop/residents-area/customer-information/repairs-whose-responsibility-is-it/.
If you’re worried that the damp or mould in your home is a bigger issue than any of the things mentioned, you should let us know straight away at coophomes.fixflo.com. You’ll be asked to provide more information and photographs and if we need to carry out further investigation, we’ll arrange for a surveyor to come and take a look.
What you need to know about electrical safety?:
Every year around 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries in UK homes are caused by faulty electrics and electrical equipment. Almost half of all domestic fires are caused by electricity, and DIY errors cause half of all serious electric shocks in UK homes.
What is Co-op Homes doing to keep me safe?
Before we let out one of our own properties, we carry out electrical installation check and confirm its safe. We have a programme to re-inspect every rented property at least every five years and carry out any necessary repairs or remedial work. We only use qualified registered electricians to carry out electrical works and we make sure any electrical work complies with Building Regulations.
You can help us keep you safe by allowing us into your home to carry out the electrical test or any other repairs needed. Don’t do it yourself - DIY wiring or electrical repairs can lead to electrical parts overheating, causing fires, shocks and death.
For more information, visit https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/
At Co-op Homes we place an absolute priority on fire safety across all our customers’ homes.
It’s our legal duty to keep you, your family, and your neighbours safe and make sure you can easily escape from your home if a fire breaks out in your block. This section explains the measures we take to keep you safe, as well as the common fire risks in your home and how to reduce them.
How we keep you fire safe
We carry out gas and fire safety checks before you move in. This includes testing the electrical wiring, making sure fire doors are working and that all escape routes are clear. A smoke alarm system is provided in converted blocks and our new-build properties are fitted with smoke alarms in line with current building regulations. All other properties have smoke alarms installed during upgrades or when they’re empty. Please get in touch if you don’t have a smoke alarm in your property.
During your annual gas safety check our specialist contractor tests your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – so please make sure you keep any appointments to have this vital check carried out.
In blocks of flats, we make sure communal areas and general building facilities are well maintained and check the electrical, gas and emergency fire detection devices. It’s essential that your communal areas remain clear and free from obstructions. We carry out periodic inspections of the common parts for safety issues, identify repairs and make arrangements to dispose of items left in the communal areas.
Stay escape route safe
Leaving items in communal areas can block emergency exit routes and prevent the fire brigade and our employees and contractors from carrying out their duties. If items are set alight, they can give off toxic smoke and gas which might reduce visibility. They could also explode or cause the fire to spread more quickly. For everyone’s safety, no items should be kept in communal areas.
If we find any items in communal areas, we’ll remove them, according to our policy. You should therefore:
For a copy of our “Stay Fire Safe” booklet which contains lots of information about what to do in the event of a fire and how to keep your household safe, please download our booklet
If you’ve got any questions about fire safety in your home, the Co-op Homes team is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to email us at customer.services@coophomes.coop or call 0203 166 2608.
Did you know that Co-op Homes is responsible for carrying out an annual gas safety check to all our homes? This is a legal requirement, even if there are no gas appliances at the property.
We have a duty to make sure that all our appliances are checked every year by Gas Safe (formerly called Corgi) registered gas engineers. We will also inspect your appliances at the same time.
Under your conditions of tenancy you must allow our staff or our operatives into your home to carry out gas safety checks every year. Our gas contractor will write to you when your gas safety check is due. The letter will be individually addressed to you and will let you know when we are in your area. If you are out when our contractors call they will leave you a calling card. Simply ring the number on the card and they will be happy to arrange another appointment with you.
All our contractors carry identity cards and you should ask to see this before allowing them into your home. If you are in any doubt about the identity of the gas inspector or any contractor who calls at your home without an appointment please call us on 020 3166 2608.
Please work with us to allow us to carry out this very important safety requirement which will give you peace of mind that the gas appliances and supply at your home is safe and not dangerous to use.
Gas appliances need a flue and adequate fresh air, to work safely. Do not block air vents. Faulty appliances can give off poisonous carbon monoxide fumes.
You can't see or smell carbon monoxide gas, but it can kill. Faulty appliances can also cause explosions.
Servicing and repairing your own appliances
Any appliances that you fit yourself (such as gas cookers or gas fires) fall outside of our landlord’s responsibility and you are responsible for getting these serviced and checked annually yourself to make sure they are safe to use. Regular servicing will also improve their efficiency and performance. You may be entitled to a free safety check if you meet your supplier’s conditions for joining their Priority Service Register – for information on this look on the back of your gas bill.
Between servicing intervals of your own appliances your should look for the warning signs that your gas appliance is need of servicing, such as
- your appliance is not working properly
- your appliance is burning with a lazy yellow or orange flame
- there is visible soot or yellow/brown staining around or own gas appliances
- the pilot light goes out repeatedly
- increased condensation inside windows.
In addition to having a regular servicing plan for your own appliance, please ensure that you never block flues, chimneys or air vents as they are there to allow fumes to escape from your home.
If you notice any of the above or anything that is unusual you should ask for your chosen Gas Safe registered engineer to check your appliances as soon as possible.
WARNING - GAS CAN KILL!
If you smell gas:
• immediately turn off the incoming gas supply at the meter
• open windows to ventilate the area
• call the NATIONAL GAS EMERGENCY LINE ON 0800 111 999.
Do not:
• use your mobile phone inside the house
• use your intercom system
• switch on or off any lights or electrical switches as this could cause an explosion
• smoke.
For a downloadable leaflet (as well as those in other languages) containing more useful information on gas safety and carbon monoxide poisoning please click here.
For answers to frequently asked questions on gas and gas safety please click here.
Please report repairs to us at Co-op Homes on 20 3166 2608.
You can telephone between :
• Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
If you have an emergency outside of these hours you will be redirected to our out of hours repairs service.
Complaints and feedback
Please let us know if you are not happy with the gas inspection service or quality of work carried out by our operatives. We also want to know if things go wrong. We will send you a satisfaction response letter after each gas safety inspection - please complete and return this to us as it helps us to monitor the services we provide and deal with any issues of poor performance promptly.
Remember - keep GAS SAFE!!
