My housing association are finally putting central heating into all the flats in my block. Currently I have useless storage heaters, so I'm quite eager to get this put in before winter comes again.

I've been told to get a gas supplier to fit a meter, but all the suppliers I've spoken to have told me Transco (who own the pipes) will not allow them to, as the supply to flat is dead, and new pipework must be laid. No pipes have been checked, they are just going by their computers. I have all the connections in my flat. There is a main riser into the block, which Ts off into each flat - the pipe coming into my kitchen just needs to be uncapped.

The other five tenants in my block have all had theirs done now, but I'm the only one still battling with Transco
as to wether new pipes need to be laid. They say this is because there hasn't been a supply to the flat for more than 12 months, yet neither has there been to the other five flats who've got theirs now. The other tennants have just told me to keep battling. The housing assoc won't pay for new pipes, when they know they haven't had to for the other flats. I don't want to pay for unnecessary work to a flat that isn't even mine.

Could somebody tell me what the best course of action would be?

Thanks.

Your battle is with Transco and only Transco can solve your problem. Good Luck!

I don't think I've made myself clear. I know I can only go through Transco to get this sorted. I just need advice, perhaps from someone who's been in a similar situation, on how to deal with Transco when they won't admit how illogical what they're saying is.

squiggle can you ask one of the other flat owners what they did, exactly and see if they have any paperwork or contact names at Transco? Anything they can give you should be of use to quote to them when you next ring up so that they know they have already done work in the same building and there shouldn't be any problems?

Or, next time you ring transco pretend you are ringing from one of the flats that already has their central heating with a question about the meter or something.

Oh I don't know really, this is a bit of a difficult one!

Contact OfGas. I had a problem with Transco six yeasr ago, when nobody could find the meter fro my flat, and Ofgas mediated and got the matter sorted out relatively quickly.

Thanks for your replies. I'll check if any other tennants have contact details, and I've just looked at the OfGas website, and it looks like they could be a great help. Much appreciated.