The requirement to take emergency action applies if social landlords have reasonable grounds to believe that there is an emergency hazard affecting a social home. In these circumstances they must, as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 24 hours:

• investigate the hazard (if an investigation has not already been completed), and
• if that investigation finds that there is an emergency hazard affecting the home and that there is relevant safety work necessary in relation to that hazard, complete the relevant safety works

A requirement to complete relevant safety work also applies if an emergency, standard or renewed investigation concludes that there is an emergency hazard affecting a social home and a subsequent investigation finds that there is relevant safety work necessary in relation to that hazard. In this case they must complete the relevant safety works, as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 24 hours of the completion of the investigation that identified the emergency hazard.

In some cases, social landlords will already have an approach to immediately address emergencies on the basis of internal policies that are in place for issues such as broken boilers in winter months, broken external doors, or significant leaks. For gas leaks, tenants or landlords should call the Emergency Gas Service number immediately on 0800 111 999. Local authority social landlords also have a responsibility to carry out some repairs within 24 hours under the Secure Tenants of Local Housing Authorities (Right to Repair) Regulations 1994. Where this is the case, and a repair is already covered by another statutory timeframe, the shorter timeframe will apply.