We're seeing an increase in calls about heating issues. Please check our advice on how to get your boiler working, before you get in touch with us.

We want to make sure you have a home that is safe and warm, a home that works for you and one that you can afford.

We have a legal responsibility to carry out regular safety checks. These are essential to making sure that your home is running as efficiently as possible.
Did you know that your local fire and rescue service can arrange a free home fire safety or fire risk check? To find out more and to download their factsheets take a look at the Fire Service website. 
A few basic rules to follow to stay safe in your home are:
  • Test your smoke alarm every week
  • Never leave cooking unattended
  • Always put out cigarettes and candles at night
  • Don't overload electrical sockets or extension leads
  • Make sure you know your escape plan and you have no obstacles in your way if you need to use it
You must:
  • ensure your barbecue is a manageable size
  • position your barbecue on level ground and keep it well away from anything that may catch fire (sheds, fences, trees, tents etc.)
  • do not attempt to use petrol or paraffin to start or revive a barbecue, instead use lighters or approved fire starter fuel
  • have a bucket of water or sand nearby to dampen any accidental fire.
  • never leave barbecues unattended
  • after use, ensure the barbecue is fully extinguished and cool before moving or putting it away
  • empty barbecue ashes onto bare garden soil or a compost heap
  • do not place hot ash in dustbins or wheelie bins as the ash can melt the plastic and cause a fire
  • do not bring the embers indoors

If you live in a high rise block

What we do to keep your home safe 

As your landlord, it's our legal duty to ensure the safety of all gas appliances, fittings, and flues in your home and communal areas. We conduct annual safety checks to ensure everything is in safe working order, protecting you, your family, and your neighbours.

Our responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring all installations, maintenance safety checks and annual gas servicing are carried out by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.
  • Complete a gas safety check and service on each relevant appliance gas appliances, gas fittings and gas flues in your home every year.
  • All gas appliances, gas fittings and gas flues will be checked before a new customer moves in.
  • We will keep a record of each annual safety check and service.
  • If you require, we will supply a copy of the landlord’s Gas Safety Record for your home on completion of the safety check. 

What you can do to keep your home safe 

  • ·      Allow us access to your home when gas safety checks are required.
  • ·      If you have a pre-payment meter, it is important that there is credit on the gas and electric meter when we complete the check.
  • ·      Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms weekly by pressing and holding the test button on the alarm until it sounds.
  • ·      Do not paint the carbon monoxide alarms. 
  • ·      While we maintain appliances we install and provide, you are responsible for any appliances you have purchased. Ensure all checks are done by a Gas Safe engineer.
  • ·      Do not use bottled LPG gas appliances in your home. You can refer to the Customer Alterations process to check what appliances are permitted.
  • Homeowners, shared ownership and long term leases

Whether you own your home outright, are a shared owner, or a long-term lease holder, you are responsible for maintaining your gas appliances. Ensure they are checked and serviced every year by an engineer registered with Gas Safe.

You can find details of qualified engineers in your area on the Gas Safe Register.

If you don’t arrange for the checks to be carried out each year, you may be in breach of your lease agreement.

What to do if you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide leakage

It’s crucial to act quickly in a gas emergency. These are the steps you need to take to stay safe:

  • ·      Immediately open all doors and windows to ventilate the area.
  • ·      Turn off the gas emergency control valve at the meter, unless it's in a basement or cellar, or at the LPG tank/storage.
  • ·      Extinguish all flames and do not smoke.
  • ·      Avoid using electrical switches, as this can ignite gas.
  • ·      Contact the National Gas Emergency service at 0800 111 999. Or use textphone at 0800 371 787. Inform Bromford after calling.
  • ·      Follow the emergency operative's advice on any gas appliance issues. Contact Bromford if repairs are needed.
  • ·      If you feel unwell, seek medical attention immediately and mention possible carbon monoxide exposure.
  • ·      Do not turn the gas supply back on until a Gas Safe registered engineer has checked it.

Legionnaires disease is caused by legionella bacteria that can grow in water sources in your home. There are some simple steps you can take to keep you and your family safe.

What is Legionella and Legionnaires disease?

Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia, usually contracted by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. It can be found in outside water sources, but also in hot and cold water systems in your home.

Luckily it’s rare for people to contract Legionella-related diseases.

However, in certain conditions, the bacteria can grow which increases the risk of someone catching the disease. The risk of contracting Legionnaire’s disease increases with age and is higher among people who:

  • are over 50
  • are heavy smokers or drinkers
  • suffer from chronic respiratory or kidney disease
  • have diabetes, lung and heart disease
  • have an impaired immune system

There are some steps you can take to keep your water system safe:

  • set your hot water thermostat to 60°C (140F)
  • dismantle and clean your shower heads of limescale and debris
  • disconnect and drain external hoses when not in use, and regularly flush external taps.
  • thoroughly clean your tap heads

Flush infrequently used outlets (outside taps, hand basins, showers etc.) at least once a week for at least 5 minutes (hot then cold)

Leaving your home empty

If you’ve been away from home for more than a week or if you have taps, showers or toilets that you don’t use every day we also recommend that you:

  • run all taps and showers for at least five minutes
  • if you have a hot water cylinder which you’ve turned off or not used for a while, heat it up to at least 60°C to kill off any bacteria
  • flush the toilet twice to circulate fresh water and empty the cistern

Remember you should always tell us if you are leaving your home vacant for more than 28 days.

When to contact us

You should call us on 0300 123 2222 if:

  • Your boiler or hot water cylinder isn’t working properly, especially if the water is not coming out of the taps at a high enough temperature
  • The cold water is still running warm even after you’ve run off any water which may have accumulated in the pipes. Your cold water should not go above 20°C
  • You notice any debris or discolouration in the water

Most of our customers have a mains-fed cold water supply but if you still have a cold water storage tank ensure it has a close-fitting lid and is lagged with insulation. If not, then please contact us to rectify this. 

Did you know? You're twice as likely to die in a fire if you don't have a working smoke alarm.
All our homes should have at least one smoke alarm fitted to each floor of your property. For example, if you live in one of our bungalows then you would have one smoke alarm but if you live in one of our three-storey town houses you should have at least three smoke alarms installed.
Our alarms are mains wired with a backup battery. We will service these alarms once a year when we visit your property to check other things (like in a gas service), however, it is your responsibility to check these at all other times.
We recommend you:
  • Test them every week by pushing the test button on the alarm
  • Keep it clean using a vacuum nozzle or brush to remove cobwebs and dust on and around the alarm
  • Don't paint over the alarm
  • If you can't reach it use a broom handle or something similar. You should replace the battery when needed. Never remove the battery except to replace it. 
If you don't have a smoke alarm or your alarm doesn't work report it as soon as you can by calling 0330 1234 034 and we'll send someone out to fix it for you.

What is electrical safety?

Electricity plays a big role in our daily lives, powering our homes day and night. However, not all electrical situations are safe. Electricity is a common source of danger and a leading cause of accidental fires in UK homes, with over 20,000 incidents each year. Besides fires, unsafe electrical installations or appliances pose a significant risk of electrocution.

What we do to keep your home safe

As your landlord, Bromford has a responsibility to ensure the electrical installation in your home is safe throughout your tenancy. We are committed to this by:

  • ·      Conducting inspections and testing of your home's electrical system at least every five years.
  • ·      Addressing any required remedial work identified during these inspections.

Our qualified and competent electricians will carry out these inspections and provide you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) within 28 days of the testing.

What you can do to keep your home safe

  • To help maintain electrical safety in your home, please:
  • ·      Allow us access to your home for electrical safety checks when required.
  • ·      Report any defects you notice immediately. You can do this by filling out an online form, or in an emergency calling 0330 1234 034. 
  • ·      DIY Electrical installations are not permitted unless consent from Bromford has been provided through the Customer Alterations process. 
  • ·      Do not overload extension leads.
  • ·      Regularly check appliance leads for damage.
  • ·      Avoid leaving your washing machine or tumble dryer on when you're out or overnight.
  • ·      If you charge electric bikes or scooters at home, do not leave batteries charging while you sleep or are away.
  • ·      Use reputable charging leads for phones and other devices.
  • ·      Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms weekly.

If you've run out of spare plug sockets, you may be tempted to use multiple appliances using a multi plug adaptor. Depending on the appliances you plug in and the amounts of power they generate, it could overload and possibly cause fire. Check the appliances you are plugging in by using this socket overload calculator.

You can also register your own electrical appliances to give you piece of mind and help you to be the first to know of any safety repairs or recalls.

 For more information on electrical safety in the home please visit our Primary Authority Fire and Rescue Service (Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Gas barbecues
  • do not store gas cylinders in communal areas. In the event of a fire, gas cylinders can explode and block escape routes
  • store gas barbecues and cylinders outdoors, ensuring they are not blocking access/escape routes and paths, ideally in a locked shed away from direct sunlight and frost
  • take care when turning bottled gas barbecues on and off
  • ensure the tap is turned off before changing a gas cylinder
  • after use, turn the gas supply to the barbecue off first and then the barbecue control. This will prevent gas from leaking.
  • only change gas cylinders outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
  • ensure all joints are tightened, safe, and secure before moving or packing the barbecue away
Neighbour consideration
  • tell your neighbours you are having a barbecue, especially if they have washing hanging on the line
  • be considerate and keep music/noise to reasonable levels
  • keep barbecues under control to avoid excessive smoke drifting across into neighbouring gardens/properties.
  • remember during warmer months many neighbours will have their windows open.