Your safety is our priority. We carry out regular checks, inspections and planned maintenance to make sure your home meets all required safety standards. This includes gas servicing, electrical testing, fire safety measures, and looking after the structure of your home and building.
We carefully monitor our safety responsibilities and act quickly if anything needs attention. If we need access to your home to carry out a safety check, we’ll always explain why it’s important and work with you to arrange a convenient time.
If you ever have concerns about safety in your home, please contact us — we’re here to help.
Full details, including our responsibilities, in each area can be found below.
WHA take your safety extremely seriously and keeping you safe is really important to us.
Faulty gas appliances can be dangerous so it’s very important that you allow us access into your home to carry out essential regular gas safety checks. This also includes all our non-domestic properties to ensure everyone’s safety.
Annual Gas Safety Check
Every year we are required by law to carry out a gas service of all appliances in your home that have been provided by WHA. This is to make sure that the appliances you are using are safe and comply with regulations.
We will always book an appointment with you to carry out these essential safety checks, and we will always try to arrange appointments at convenient times for you. The engineer carrying out the service will be fully trained and qualified to carry out the inspection, and you will be provided with a copy of the certificate for your records.
This is a legal requirement and part of your tenancy agreement that these checks are completed. If you do not allow our colleagues access to your home, if necessary, we may need to take legal action to request the courts to grant us access to your home. The cost of this will be passed to onto you and can vary depending on how far the legal action progresses.
We don’t want things to get to that stage, and we will only take this action if all other options have failed.
During the safety check
Gas Supply
Unsafe Appliances
Smoke/Cabon Monoxide detectors
Cooker Safety
Your responsibilities
Remember to:
Remember not to :
What if my home has no gas appliances?
Even without gas appliances, we still need to check your heating system and heat/smoke detectors. It is important that we do this.
What to do if you suspect a gas leak
Gas leaks can occur from faulty appliances and / or pipework. Whilst some gases aren’t poisonous, leaks can lead to fires or explosions.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
At the Annual Gas Safety Check we will need to inspect and test your detectors – please ensure they are easily accessible and not covered up.
Remember to
Carbon Monoxide poisoning
Carbon Monoxide (also known as CO) is another potentially deadly consequence of having poorly maintained or unsafe gas appliances in your home. It is an odourless gas that can be fatal.
Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and tiredness (like you have the flu).
If your CO detector alarm sounds
Important Websites:
Contact us
If you have any queries or need to speak to a member of our team about any of the above information, contact us at admin@wha.org.uk or by calling us on 01925 246810
WHA takes your safety extremely seriously. We have a legal obligation in our homes of multiple occupation to ensure our low and medium rise buildings including communal areas; shared spaces meet with all relevant building and fire regulations.
Be prepared
Living in a flat:
If you live in a house
It is a good idea to create your own escape plan with your family. In the event of a fire and if it’s too dangerous to follow your planned escape route because stairs and hallways are full of smoke, ring 999 immediately and stay inside the safest room. Never assume that someone else has called 999 – make the call yourself.
Once outside the building, go to your meeting point. Check that everyone who lives in your home is out of the building and wait to meet the fire service. You will need to direct them to your home and answer their questions to help them.
Our Responsibilities
We will:
Customer Responsibilities
Keep escape routes clear- you must not store items in communal areas. Keep them free from rubbish and personal belongings such as bikes, prams, plants, door mats – these items can cause accidents in an emergency and prevent the fire service from reaching you or your neighbours.
Staying Safe in Your Home
Most fires in the home can be avoided. Follow the below guidance to keep you, your family and neighbours safe:
Smoke Alarms:
Cooking
Never leave cooking unattended
Make sure pan handles don’t stick out, so they don’t get knocked off
Electrical Safety
Portable Heater Safety
Candles and Smoking
Pressurised Cylinders
What to do if there is a fire in your home
Remember to
Contact us
If you require further information, please contact us by emailing us on admin@wha.org.uk
For additional information, visit
WHA want to ensure your safety and well-being. We have a legal responsibility to keep you safe in your home and as part of this, every five years we will conduct an electrical inspections and tests in your home to ensure everything is safe. This is known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Please note that we may need to inspect your electrical system sooner based on our electrical engineer’s recommendation.
It’s important that you provide us with access to carry out this inspection to ensure your home is safe and compliant. This is a legal requirement and can be classed as a breach of your tenancy agreement if you don’t allow us access.
Smoke, Heat, and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As part of this programme, we make sure your home has the correct equipment installed, including:
To ensure the detectors work, please test them on a weekly basis. If your defector stops working, please report it us on 01925 246810.
What We Do During Inspections
Inspection Process
During the inspection, we will:
Note: The power supply in your home will be isolated during testing, which could take most of the day.
Customer Electrical Safety Tips
Do:
Don’t:
What to Do If Your Power Goes Off
Appointment Scheduling
We will contact you to arrange an appointment when your home is due for an electrical safety check. If you have any concerns about the electrical installation in your home, please contact us at admin@wha.org.uk or 01925 246810.
Contact us
If you notice a problem with your electrics, please contact us immediately by calling 01925 246810.
Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease , a type of pneumonia. While anyone can catch it if they inhale the bacteria – usually via water vapour or fine droplets suspended in the air – some people are more prone to serious illness. Those who smoke, older adults, and people with lung conditions or impaired immune systems are all at greater risk of developing it.
WHA have a responsibility to ensure all communal water outlets are inspected and managed in accordance with the latest regulations and standards.
WHA have a legal duty under the following regulations:
Our responsibilities
We undertake water checks and monitoring in line with our legal obligations where we have communal water storage facilities. We identify, assess and monitor potential sources of Legionella risk. Where risks are identified, we take action to prevent contamination of water systems in our properties.
Your responsibilities
Bacteria breed in stagnant water or limescale. Following the steps below can help to prevent this from happening in your home:
Contact us
If you have any queries, please contact us at admin@wha.org.uk or by calling us on 01925 246810
Lift and Lifting Equipment
Where WHA has installed lift and lifting equipment, we are responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and repairs of such equipment. This included equipment in communal areas as well as in your home.
Lift
Our responsibilities
We have responsibilities around the inspection, maintenance, and repairs to ensure all equipment is working as it should be:
Communal Lifts – Your responsibilities:
What happens if the lift breaks down?
If the lift breaks down, we will arrange for an engineer to attend and diagnose the problem as soon as possible. The engineer will always try to leave the lift in working order where possible.
Where this is not possible, they will inform us, and if necessary, we will make provisions for customers who rely on the lift to access their homes. This might be by using the other lift in the building, or we will provide the necessary support. We will keep you updated about the repairs to the lift and when it is likely to be repaired.
If you are in the lift when it breaks down, remember to:
Using lifts in the event of a fire or emergency:
Equipment in your home
Where WHA have installed equipment in your home, we will carry out inspections and maintenance as appropriate.
If your equipment breaks down:
Removing equipment: if the equipment is no longer needed, we’ll remove it upon request.
Please note that if you have had equipment installed via a Local Authority Disabled Facilities Grant, WHA are not responsible for its maintenance or repair.
Contact us
If you have any queries, contact us at admin@wha.org.uk or by calling us on 01925 246810.
Asbestos is a natural material commonly used in the construction industry due to its resistance to heat and fire before it was banned in 1999. Asbestos can only become a problem when it’s disturbed such as when carrying out DIY or structural work.
If your property was built before 1999, it may contain asbestos. Any homes built after this year should not contain any asbestos materials. Asbestos only becomes a risk to your health if it is damaged or disturbed.
If we have told you that there are materials in your home that contain asbestos, please don’t panic. Avoid working on, damaging or removing any materials that contain asbestos. Keeping you safe in your home is our top priority.
Legislation
When working around any materials which may contain asbestos, WHA has a duty under the control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to protect people from risks associated with exposure to asbestos. We also have a responsibility to manage any asbestos materials located in common areas of your home such as flooring tiles, decorative textured coatings, gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks.
Our responsibilities
Before carrying out any works in properties built before asbestos was banned, we have a duty to check any materials that will be disturbed that may contain asbestos.
We will carry out required control measures to ensure no harm is caused to the tradesperson carrying out the work or you, your family or any visitors to your home.
In common areas we have a duty to inspect and manage the condition of any asbestos containing materials that have been identified.
Your responsibilities
Please seek written permission before commencing any DIY within your home so we can ensure that no potential asbestos containing materials are disturbed. If you believe you may have disturbed an unknown material, please contact us as soon as you can so we can carry out all required actions.
Contact us
It’s important that you report any damage to the fabric of your home to us as soon as you can. If you have any concerns regarding asbestos or any other safety related queries, please get in touch with us by calling 01925 246810 or emailing us at admin@wha.org.uk.
Before carrying out any DIY in your home you must get written permission from us. For further information about carrying out any work in your home please visit – please see the tab below “Alterations & improvements”.
For more information about asbestos related advise please visit the Health and Safety Executive’s website. www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos
Alterations and Improvements in my home
Work in my home… what I can and can’t do?
We understand that to make your home meet your needs, you might like to make some homely alterations. When it comes to making changes in your home, there are a few things you need to know. Below you will find information on what you can and can’t do in your home. If you have any doubts, please contact us.
Work in my home which I cannot do
Work in my home which will need permission
If the proposed alterations to your home will affect the structure of the property, or its appearance, you must first obtain written permission from WHA and potentially consent from your Local Authority’s Planning Department to ensure all intended improvements comply with regulations.
If the alteration changes the number of bedrooms in the property, then this may impact on your rent.
You will need WHA permission before carrying out the below works:
Who will I need permission from?
Work in my home which I can do
What happens after the approved work is complete?
When work is completed, you will need to notify WHA and allow us to carry out an inspection within a reasonable timescale after the works are finished. We will also need to see copies of any appropriate certification.
During the works, you are liable to repay any repair costs that might arise, including any damages affecting a third party. If the completed alteration differs from agreed plans, then you could be asked to change this to the agreed specification at your own cost.
With any alteration you make, you are responsible for the ongoing maintenance and cost of any future repairs. At the end of your tenancy, should you vacate the property in the future, alterations can only remain if they were agreed with WHA.
Failure to re-instate original fittings or return alterations to their original condition if instructed may result in the costs of any repair works required being recharged to you.
What will happen if I do not ask for permission or if a declined request is progressed?
If you do not get permission before making changes, or proceed with changes despite a refusal, you may:
How do I submit a request for permission?
Please do not start work until you have our written permission. We may need to visit you before agreeing to your request.
To apply for permission, please email us at admin@wha.org.uk describing the works you wish to carry out.
Please title your email as “Alterations & Improvements to my home”.
We will acknowledge your request within five working days and respond within 28 working days.
There is growing concern over the rise in fatalities, injuries and devastating fires from electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric scooters (e-scooters).
Lithium-ion battery technology has many advantages in today’s world and is used not just for mobility scooters, e-bikes, and e-scooters but for many products, including mobile phones, e-cigarettes, electric vehicles, hoverboards, and laptops.
However, the energy emitted when lithium-ion batteries fail can lead to devastating consequences and particularly intense fires in the home.
The Fire and Rescue Service has seen a growing number of fires caused by the failure of these batteries, particularly with e-bikes and e-scooters.
In 2022/23, on average, MFRS was called to an e-bike or e-scooter fire every two weeks. There were five cases of injury and, very sadly, two deaths directly related to fires in the home involving these batteries.
WHA are raising awareness of the dangers of these batteries and also how to keep you, your family and neighbours safe.
It is important to charge mobility scooters, e-bikes and e-scooters safely to avoid a risk of a fire starting and putting your families and homes at risk. Simple guidelines to follow include:
For more information on this, please visit: Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service – E-Bikes and Scooters
Make sure you, your family, and neighbours are safe.
You can check whether any products you have bought are not subject to a product recall by checking Electrical Safety First’s website (www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk).