Gas safety

If you smell gas immediately call the National Gas emergency freephone number 0800 111 999.

  • Get fresh air and ventilate the property by opening all windows and doors

  • Switch off the gas appliance and disconnect the gas by turning off the supply at the emergency control valve at the gas meter. 

  • Leave the appliance off until it has been checked by a Gas Safe register engineer and you receive confirmation that the appliance is safe for use.

  • Do not turn on any lights or use any equipment.

  • Extinguish all naked flames

  • Contact your local GP or hospital if you are feeling unwell

Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to check and fix the appliance or call 0800 408 5500.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (or CO) is odourless, colourless, tasteless and can kill quickly, these steps will help to protect against CO poisoning.

1. Know the symptoms

Symptoms include collapse, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, headaches and loss of consciousness. 

Chronic low level CO poisoning may be confused with other illness such as influenza and food poisoning.

2. Look after your household appliances

Boilers, cookers, stoves, log burners, heaters - all fuel burning appliances should be regularly serviced by a registered competent person.

3. Get a carbon monoxide alarm

These can cost as little as £15 and will have a battery life of around five years, position and test alarm(s) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

What landlords must do...

Landlords are legally responsible for the safety of their tenants and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 outline the duties of landlords to ensure gas appliances, fittings, chimneys and flues provided for tenants are safe.

The Gas Safe Register website explains the main responsibilities: 

  • landlords must issue a copy of the check to tenants within 28 days or to a new tenant before they move in 

  • landlords must retain gas safety records for two years

  • landlords must have a safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer on all gas appliances in their property every 12 months

Only use Gas Safety registered engineers or call 0800 408 5500.

Newport City Council strongly recommends the installation of a carbon monoxide alarm which complies with EN 50291. 

Read more information for landlords

What tenants should do...

If an engineer is visiting your home you should check that they are registered and competent to undertake the work by asking to see their identification card.

You can check the engineer by typing in the seven digit number.

Find an engineer on the Gas Safety register or call 0800 408 5500 or text 85080.

To make sure work is done, allow access and work with your landlord. 

If you are concerned about your boiler or heating, if your home is hard to heat or your supply has been disconnected please contact the environmental housing team at Newport City Council for advice.

Read more information for tenants

You may also be interested in the NEST energy efficiency scheme