Council given Court backing for forced entry gas safety checks
Havering Council has received backing from Barkingside Magistrates Court to force entry to properties where Gas Safety Certificates have not been produced.
For the first time Havering Council has sought legal powers to ensure gas safety checks are complete with five warrants of entry being granted by the court.
At a hearing on Tuesday 01 August 2017, Barkingside Magistrates granted the warrants which would allow Havering Council to force entry to the premises.
On the day the warrants were to be served, four out of the five arranged access so the gas safety checks could be carried out.
Forced entry took place on fifth property, 39 Halesworth Road, Harold Hill so a gas safety check could take place.
Deputy Leader of Havering Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damian White, said: “The Council conducts annual gas safety checks on all of its properties with tenants required to allow access and leaseholders required to provide a current Gas Safety Certificate.
“These measures are to make sure the gas appliances are safe for the residents involved and their neighbours and we are not prepared to compromise on this.
“For the first time we have applied to the Court for warrants of entry as five tenants had repeatedly failed to allow us access and we are pleased that Barkingside Magistrates granted those warrants.
“Having to apply for these warrants has meant extra expense for those tenants as Court costs will be added to their rent accounts.
“Where we forced entry the cost of replacement locks will also be charged to the tenant making it a very expensive day for them.
“It is far better if access is given when a gas safety check is due to avoid such costs or forced entry in future.”
More information: www.havering.gov.uk/GasSafety