A housing association has started using a ticketing scheme also known as “talking tickets” to alert housing tenants about the dangers of ignoring electrical and gas safety checks around their properties.

These ticketing schemes are bright yellow stickers that consist of an audio message that lasts approximately 30 seconds. These tickets are then placed on doors of properties where housing staff have been unable to gain access to carry out the vital safety tests on the electricity and gas.

The Regenda Group who is responsible for the scheme manages over 13,000 homes across the North West and they hope that the scheme will encourage tenants to take more notice of the warnings with the audio messages accompanying the warning letter.

Electrical and mechanical surveyor Trevor Hill has warned those residents who do not respond to gas and electrical safety test reminders are putting their safety and the safety of their neighbours at great risk.

He said: “Where we repeatedly cannot get access to a property, and safety checks become almost overdue, we need to be able to convey the seriousness of the situation to the resident. The audio message sticker looks like a fixed penalty parking ticket and when you press it there is a polite but firm voice urging the resident to book an urgent appointment.”

According to the law all housing associations must carry out annual gas safety checks to ensure that all appliances, wiring, piping and flues are safe and well maintained for the tenants.

Similarly, every five years they must undertake an electrical safety test to check that the supply, wiring and fuses are safe.

The talking tickets will only be used where Regenda staff have failed to get access to a property three times.

“Like all good ideas it is relatively simple and one which we hope will encourage our residents to act more quickly and contact us,” added Mr Hill.

See more at: http://www.regenda.org.uk/