Talking ticket to protect tenants

WARRINGTON’S Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) has unveiled the world’s first ‘talking’ Annual Gas Safety Check warning notice to help protect their tenants from the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and gas related accidents.
The notice contains a stern audio warning from the Trust’s Chief Executive Peter Mercer to any of its tenants who have failed to allow access to their home for its annual gas safety check.
Each year GGHT successfully gains access to over 99% of its properties to carry out annual gas safety checks but unfortunately there are a small number of tenants who fail to provide timely access to their property, presenting a risk to their families and neighbours. The checks are designed to ensure that all gas fittings and appliances in the tenants’ property are safe and the Trust needs to gain 100% access to protect everyone.
The innovative talking tickets have been developed in partnership with British Company FlashPark. Wrapped in highly visible yellow packaging, the tickets will be stuck directly onto the doors of a property when a tenant has not allowed access to their home for the annual gas safety check despite having had three appointments offered by the Trust’s gas contractor, Sure Group.
GGHT Chief Executive Peter Mercer, commented: “The safety of our residents is very important to us. We are always willing to try new and innovative ways to get our message across and recognise that a number of our customers may have difficulties with reading. We hope that the ticket will prove effective in getting our tenants to contact us as soon as possible so we can complete their annual gas safety check.
“Every year people across the UK die from carbon monoxide poisoning and gas related accidents caused by appliances and flues which have not been properly maintained.
“The gas service is completely free for our tenants and only takes a short period of time but helps to make sure that our tenants, their families and their neighbours are kept safe.
“If tenants choose to ignore the warnings from the Trust then legal action will be initiated, which could lead to us forcing legal entry to their home and carrying out a lock change, with all costs being recharged to the tenant. They will also jeopardise their inclusion within our investment programme and could miss out from the benefits of having a new kitchen, bathroom, UPVC windows or new central heating system fitted at their home.”