Safety checks mustbe arranged

Stirling Council is asking tenants to let gas safety inspectors into their homes during the Covid-19 pandemic to help it fulfil its legal landlord duty to carry out annual inspections.

The local authority uses Gas Safe registered engineers to check appliances in council homes and ensure they are safe and in good working order.

Some householders, however, took to social media, including those claiming to have received warning letters from the council telling them they need to let them in to carry out the checks.

Anne Mailley posted to the council’s facebook page: “I got one saying this my last warning or they would gain entry.

“No need for threatening letters. I’m no letting anyone in.

“I’ve not been able to see my mum in six weeks and you think “I’m going to let council in?”

Sharon Craig, a housing association tenant, said a relative had been isolating for seven weeks, adding: “I got a cheeky letter too saying I had seven days to let them in or they where taking action.”

Robert Struthers added: “I’m a key worker. If your staff have not been tested and clear of virus no one will be getting in my house plus I need more than a few days notice of when they are due round.”

Stirling Council, however, say that during the ongoing lockdown, the visits and inspections have become even more important as Stirling residents spend most, and in some cases all, of their time at home.

Councillor Evelyn Tweed, said: “It is important that our engineers still have access to people’s homes to carry out these essential checks, even more so during the lockdown period when so many of us spend so much time inside.”