14th March 2012 – VTUK

In the office we use Gemini computer software provided by VTUK, for more information on their systems go to www.VTUK.com

13th February 2012 – Boiler Flues in ceiling spaces and voids.

Regulations governing gas boilers and systems that do not vent directly outside have
changed, which may have a significant effect on tenants and owners alike. Some
properties, mainly flats and apartments, have been built with boiler flues which cannot
be inspected because they are hidden behind walls or ceilings. The boiler flues that
this information relates to are connected to room-sealed fan assisted boilers.
Gas Safe registered engineers need to be able to see the flue _ which take fumes
away from the boiler _ as part of essential safety checks. A flue in poor condition,
combined with a boiler that is not working properly, could put tenants in danger from
carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death or serious injury.
If your boiler is situated on an outside wall, it is unlikely you have this type of flue.
Alternatively, if your engineer can see all of the flue, you will not need to take any
further action in relation to this matter.
If you do have a boiler where all, or part of, the flue cannot be seen, you will need to
arrange for inspection hatches to be fitted. This does not mean that your flue
system is suddenly unsafe. As long as the boiler passes a series of safety checks _
including having audible carbon monoxide alarms fitted _ it can be used normally for
the time being.
Carbon monoxide alarms are not an alternative to being able to see the flue and you
will still need to have inspection hatches fitted. You have until 31 December 2012 for
this work to be completed. It is recommended that inspection hatches are fitted as
soon as you are able to do so. From 1 January 2013, Gas Safe registered engineers
will turn the boiler off, with your permission and formally advise you not to use it until
inspection hatches have been fitted in appropriate places.
Although most of the affected boiler and flue systems are relatively new (installed
since 2000), the risk of faults leading to the release of carbon monoxide increases as
the system gets older, especially if it is not serviced regularly. It is important that you
have your gas appliances serviced annually.
For more information see the Gas Safe Website www.gasssaferegister.co.uk

31st January 2012 – You can now email your maintenance issues through to maintenance@h4y.co.uk In cases of emergency please still call the office on 0117 9494943, if this is out of hours please follow the answer machine instructions.

31/01/2011 – Changes of use to small houses in multiple occupation – Article 4 (1) Direction published:

On 1 October 2010 changes to planning legislation relating to the control of
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) came into force. The changes mean
that any change of use between a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) and a small
House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4 – being a small shared house or
flat occupied by three to six unrelated individuals) can occur without the need
for planning permission.
However, in certain circumstances, councils can identify an area or areas where
a planning application would be required. Councils are able to do this through
the use of an article 4 direction, which removes the permitted development right
that allows the change of use to occur.
On the 10 December 2010 Bristol City Council took the first step in removing
this permitted development right for the wards of;
• Ashley
• Cabot
• Clifton East
• Cotham
• Lawrence Hill
This has involved the making of an article 4 direction and serving notice of the
direction. An officer delegated report and decision sets out the rationale for
making the direction.
The removal of permitted development rights is not proposed to take effect until
11 December 2011. For the notice to take effect the council must take into
account any representations made.
Any representations or objections to the direction may be sent in writing to:
Stephen McNamara
Head of Legal Services
Council House
College Green
Bristol BS1 5TR
Please quote reference number IA1/ 48 on all correspondence.
The council will consider representations up to 31 March 2011.
Further details on the article 4 direction are available at
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/planning
The council is considering whether further article 4 directions in other areas of
the city will be appropriate in the future.

23/12/2010 - We will be closed for Christmas and New Year from the 24th December until 4th January 2010.

The office will have a member of staff in on the 24th, 29th, 30th & 31st December from 10.00am-12.00pm.

If you are a tenant or landlord of ours and have an emergency, please call the office 0117 9494943 for further instructions.

15/11/2009 – We have recently completed on a large batch of landlord insurance renewals. This insurance is excellent value at £1.40 per thousand pound of property insured i.e. £100,000 property would equal £140.00 plus IPT and small admin fee. This policy is specialised for landlords and covers all aspects of letting. If you do not have this insurance with us, please call our offices for an instant quote and further information. October 2009