Gas

Hi

Can anyone put my mind at rest

I would like to know if the gas company make random visits to your home to check on safety etc. I received a phone call yesterday from a lady,I presume from the gas co, saying someone would visit my apartment on Monday.Although this lady knew my name, correct address and my mobile phone number, I am rather worried because I wasnt able to get out of her the reason for this visit( with my limited Spanish).I just hope that this is not a scam.

Jenny 

This is something that the gas companies are doing, I think its a National thing.  They do a few simple tests (10mins) and charge you 49euros plus IVA.  This will be added to your bill and lasts 5 years!

Paul

Under normal circumstances, you are supposed to get a gas Certificate every 5 years but I have never had to pay that much for it here in my home in Almoradi. Our local Repsol agent does it for €20 + IVA.

If you are renting out you need to get your boiler serviced and checked every year and get an annual certificate. We do this with Baxi Roca on the apartment at Roda and it costs about €80 pa. If you pay €120 it then gives you free call outs to problems that may arise.

When they arrive make sure you ask to see formal identification and call your Gas supplier (number on your bill) to ask for the name of the person they have sent.

Unfortunately there are some scams on gas going around but usually they just turn up on your door rather than make an appointment. We've had 2 try here at our house - so I just picked up the phone and started to dial the police and they scarpered.

If you think there is anything dodgy just dial 112 and they will push off sharpish.

This is likely to be a SCAM and is widespread in this area either using mailing lists or knocking on doors and they will charge you a VERY HIGH fee and the actual paperwork isnt worth much

Just do a search on Google to see how this works, there is lots of information and only 3 weeks ago they tried the same thing on Corvera

The gas company  does not contact the oqners to arrange this and normally the main concvern is the boiler and the annual check, certificate and service form ROCA, which gives you one year maintenance, costs around €80 and is worth having

When they arruve they will have valid looking ID, likely to have a gas logo on their clothing and will be reluctant to give you any pricing

Do not let them in and if in any double contact the gas compnay, contact numbers on your bill, to verify the cost etc, before any visit

Thankyou for your comments.I think,as suggested I will contact the gas company in the morning.

My gas boiler is already serviced annually so I cannot see that there is anything to check.

Definitely sounds like a scam then

Thankyou Paul ,you were right and Pommers I did ring the gas company who gave me the name and telephone no of the inspector who was coming and also the cost.

He duly arrived at the correct time which gave me quite a shock!

This inspection has to be done once every 5 years  and I have been here 7

Jenny

It does indeed appear to be genuine, many letters from EDP naturgas energia have been placed in owners letterboxes and cards have been placed under doors.

Interestingly not everyone has them.

The problem with these letters, is that if owners do not respond and arrnange an inspection it appears from rough translation that they may be cut off after 4 months and very few of us were aware that this 5 year check is compulsory.

I am copying a letter to Resortalia as I think they should include a warning to all owners in their weekly update that it is owners or tenants responsibility to pay attention and arrange the visit. I believe the charge will go onto your bill and the inspector will have an official badge.

Jenny, how easy was it to arrange timing of the visit?

Roy, I really think you of all people should be aware of 5 year checks.

In answer to your question I did not have any card or letter but a call the day before the visit.The lady in question did not speak any English.I would not expect her to of course but she just said "Gas 1.30 Monday" and rang off.  Enough to put the wind up anybody.

There is a dedicated line for English if you ring Edp energia gas, who incidentally I have my electricity with as well, but you need a land line I think.(press 4 for English)

The inspector obviously looked at many gas boilers as I saw him many times throughout the day.

I t is important to have your gas boiler serviced once a year. My first service I had a very high carbon monoxide reading due to the pipe that takes the fumes out being too short(dont know the correct name) Quite a lot of my ceiling had to come down to fix this 

Gas inspector knocked on door today, luckily I was in, he has a tough job with a form for every apartment with boilers over 5 years old and many not occupied.

Resortalia will send out a note on weekly report this week but v important for all owners to contact the gas company as soon as possible in case they cut you off after a period of no contact.

Yearly boiler service is also a good idea but is NOT the same.

This is a 5 year gas check, legal requirement.

Gas man came to us too yesterday after he'd been to Hugh_Man. all they do is check the CO readings in the boiler output and at the flue. Charge will be applied to your bill.

What was really frustrating was that we also had our boiler serviced yesterday and this exact same check is also done as part of the service.

I have spoken to the boiler company and they are initally telling me that if your boiler has been serviced then the same paperwork should cover the gas certification but in order to verify this I need somebody to send me an actual copy ogf the notice that the gas comonay have been delivering

Yiu may be paying twice for the same thing

Yes they speak English and the lady in the office is LOLA on 968510726

Had boiler serviced on Wednesday at our 2nd apartment and Gas check man came Friday and said the service certificate was not enough. So I've paid twice. Blumin' frustrating.

As previously stated if somebody can please mail me a copy of the letter from the gas company I can verify this, sorry if they are making a charge they are highly unlikely to say that the paperwork is acceptable

"As previously stated if somebody can please mail me a copy of the letter from the gas company I can verify this, sorry if they are making a charge they are highly unlikely to say that the paperwork is acceptable"

I now have a copy of a letter. I'll try and scan and email to you but it doesn't say much - as I've done a basic translation.