I think you should report the situation without delay to the owner or rental agency with whom you have a rental agreement. It’s their responsibility to ensure the equipment and utilities are properly installed and in working order.  If you try fixing it you could be blamed for any subsequent problem(s).

Good luck!

R.

And if they dillydally or try to fob you off, contact ASLOCA with all docuentation details and phone calls etc.

Sorry.. typo.. should read 'documentation details' above

Thank you, Ritchie for your reply. We contacted the régie and are expecting them to come soon to see what the problem is. My idea was that there may be something obvious to somebody living here that I don't know, as I just moved in. A button to switch... Thank you again, best ot all to you. 
Maria

Hello and thank you for the Asloca tip. I was hoping everything would be settled peacefully, but good to know there is Asloca. Have a nice day, 

Maria

HI Maria, 

It should be settled peacefully, no reason not to, 

Regards,
MIke

When you’re a newbie, it’s always better to be briefed by the owner or the régie rather than a thud party however experienced and qualified he or she may be.

It’s when you don’t get any help from the owner or his representative that you should start looking elsewhere -- for example. at ASLOCA.

Hello, Ritchie, I understand that you mention the regie, and thank you for this kind and wise reminder. We contacted the regie and have an appointment with a technician next week, so everything should should work out soon. Best regards- Maria

Good Maria,

:)

@Mike   'It should be settled peacefully, no reason not to'',

i agree entirely but with the last Regie I had It was always necessary to follow up with ASLOCA unfortunately before things were sorted out.I think maybe some regies are worse than others.

Thank you very much for your replies. I am hopeful that things will be all right with the regie, yet it is good that Asloca are there, in case of some misunderstanding. 
Best regards to all of you- Maria

Dear All, here's an update. The technician came today. The gas was was turned off. He turned it on. We have hot water. Hadn't seen the bright yellow handle behind the stove cover. 
Will be expecting the prize for the silliest situation ever. 

Regards- Maria

Thanks for letting us know. glad you have hot water now

Am glad it all works out Maria. 
If the technician was dispached by the régie you will not be billed, you normaly get a 'bon de travail' by mail from the régie before hand. 
If you contacted someone yourself that's different.

Regards, 
Michel