Tenants in Northern Ireland could have gas cut off if they refuse landlords’ gas safety checks

Tenants in Northern Ireland who do not allow the Housing Executive to arrange annual landlord gas safety checks could have their gas supply cut off, the organisation has warned.

‘Real problem’ with gaining entry to households

As the Housing Executive is a landlord, it is legally obliged to ensure that the households in its property portfolio receive annual gas safety checks. However, it claimed that it has had a “real problem” with gaining entry to some households, and has seen nearly 400 ‘no access cases’ since September 2014.

Although the majority of these cases have now been resolved, the Housing Executive said that a failure to allow gas safety checks could lead to gas capping, i.e. the disconnection of the gas service. Tenants may also have to pay a fee to be reconnected to the gas supply.

The Housing Executive said it intends to be “as flexible as possible” when it comes to landlords gas safety checks, that it will sent households a letter informing them of the date of the gas service, and that tenants can change this date if they so choose.

Nonetheless, if tenants do not respond to this letter, they will receive a ‘no access card’, which tells them that their gas supply will be cut off if they do not make contact with a contractor.

Tenants who still do not comply will then receive a hand-delivered letter asking them to make contact within seven days. After this point, their supply will be disconnected until the safety checks have been performed. To get the gas supply back on, tenants will have to get in touch with the Housing Executive.

If you have a question or query regarding these checks, please contact the Housing Executive on 03448 920 901.

Landlords Gas Safety Checks

Landlords are legally obliged to arrange gas safety checks for every property in their portfolio. These checks must ensure that all gas appliances, flues and fittings provided to tenants are safe, with this also including features in communal areas.

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