fionamw

Yesterday two chaps turned up & I didn't check their ID - would have in the UK, of course. Checked our butano bottles/installation/cooker/etc., changed tubos to all bottles cos they expired in 2006, checked all gas functions afterwards; said it would be €120 for our five-year service check. Today our plumber tells us he's heard of a scam with someone going round saying they'll check butano & etc., €100 & off into the sunset. I'm confident ours were the real McCoy cos I've found the same phone number as on their paperwork is on the web so I could have checked there & then while they were in the house.
Two things... 1. be aware. Check ID.
2. Does anyone know of up to date regs ref ventilation because they said I had to have a 10x10 ventilation hole drilled in an outside wall at ground level in the kitchen (gas hob) despite there being a vent above the cooker. Plumber today said not. We've apparently got 3 months to get it done.

jackytoo

It's a scam, never even let them in the house. Some of them do have legal phone numbers etc. as they are not really doing anything illegal.

Rotor

Ive heard of this scam before , if you need a saftery bolletin you need to contact a reputable business, dont use some scammer cold calling off the street.
Incedently you may not need one at all if you live in the campo although its advisable if you dont understand gas and flue systems.

jdr

Def a scam, there have been threads about it before.
Just phone and check with your gas supplier, they will always arrange an appointment they never do cold calling, next time tell them you only rent.

pete_l

Maybe they were employed by the gas company, but just turning up unannounced? Nah, scam. It does sound to me as if they were maybe doing a bit of "work" on the side.

lynnxa

yep - they always make an appointment if they're genuine

Fredbargate

This is a requirement, there should be one at ground level and one near ceiling level.

I think that without this certificate your insurance will be void.

My supplier cold calls

There are a lot of scammers about, we have had an influx of scammers who were gas engineers in nearby towns who have been made redundant. They carry their old papers and appear to be legit as the companies they claim to work for still exist.

Chiclanagir

Scam, scam, scam. We had them a couple of years ago and I threw them out. They wanted to change the tube which was still in date and charge a fortune for doing it.

VFR

What I had done....,
A few years ago I popped into my local Repsol dealer/shop who checked on their computer just how many bottles were listed for our property.
They told me about an insurance scheme they had that would be valid for 5 years for a one off payment of 50eu.
Repsol technician would call & check all the appliances/regulators.
This policy would also cover any call out if you suspect a gas leak.
Issue a certificate when correct.

Looked go value to me so I took it & did call them out one day when I was concerned about a regulator, changed it to a Repsol item and just charged for that (also guaranteed)

johncar61

A friend of mine recently had a visit from 'gas the boys.' They charged him 600 odd euros. He uses the tall bottles for central heating, pool etc.

When they gave him the bill he challenged it. Called the Guardia who checked the boy out. They said they were from a genuine company and thus they could check out the installation and bottles and although, even in the eyes of the Guardia, the bill was excessive, it was legal. My friend paid with a credit card.

He has since approached Repsol and taken legal advice. It seems he has not a leg to stand on. He allowed them to make the inspection and was liable for the charge.

Thus, if you are not satisfied with the boys who call, don't let them in. If it's official, Repsol will contact you.

ALSO. Some years ago 'the boys' called at my house. The gas bottles were in the garage, connect via metal pipework to the appliances in the house above. I had only recently made the installation. The guy put himself between me and the bottles, so I could not see, bent over them and then showed me a small cut in one of the rubber pipes. I demanded that he open his hand and show me the blade. He left without another word.

jdr

I don`t know of the regs in Spain, but when I was corgi reg in the UK and they were hot on ventilation on anything that was not room sealed flues, but gas hobs were immune from the ventilation regs even in hotel kitchens where they have loads.

Lionda

Definitely a scam Fiona....please say you didn't pay them We had them call to our place over a year ago and asked to check the gas appliances .... we just had a gas hob. I immediately went to the farmacia a couple of doors down from us and asked for advice (he was a friend of ours) he came to our house straight away and spoke to them - they left. He told us that despite the paperwork and card they showed that they were not legal and we were right not to let them into the house. Phew!!

Hondon Rock n Roll

We are on the Costa Blanca and as I was leaving home to go back to work 2 guys turned up in a van said they wanted to check out the gas appliances. I have no contract with anyone and only use the Repsol bottles. I refused to let them in even though they said it was compulsory, so they said they would be back tomorrow again. They had ID badges and headed paper with the Generalitat Valenciana logo. They said the check was free but the certificate was €48, and the supervisor would be round next week. Will be checking with the town hall in the morning regarding the rules and regulations.

michaleen oge

the boys from the gas came round our house a few weeks ago and before i could stop the wife,she had let them in. they said they had to check the gas installations,i told them no. then my dog max came bounding down from the terrace. he is as soft as mush but being quarter wolf,looks as if he could eat you whole.
they scooted out the door pretty quick and i haven't seen hide nor hair of them since. a mate of mine from further down in the village let them in and they charged him e120 for changing a tube(cost of tube in ferriteria,,,,e10).
scam pure and simple,but unfortunately it looks and sounds legal.

JnK

I've heard so many such horror stories, dreading them knocking on our door