Gas Servicing

Every year, we’ll service your gas appliances and test your gas meter and pipework to make sure everything’s working safely. It only takes about an hour, but it’s an important step to protect your home and everyone in it. It is also a legal requirement for us to complete the gas service.

We know that letting people into your home is a big deal, so we have put together some frequently asked questions to help explain why the service is so important and what will happen during the service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a gas service?

A gas service shows us the condition of the gas appliances (fireplace, boiler) and gas meter in your home. This means that we can make sure they are working properly and are safe to use. The gas services are carried out by an Incommunities gas engineer.

What will the service involve?

The engineer will check the gas appliances in your home, for example, gas fire, boiler and gas meter. The engineer will do a visual inspection only of your own appliances, for example, your cooker.

Our engineers carry some parts in their van and will repair any faults found during the service. If the engineer can’t fix a fault because a specialist part is required, these will be ordered and replaced within 3 working days.

How long will the service take?

The service will take about an hour.

When the engineer arrives at your home, they will show you their photo ID, which shows they are an Incommunities employee and that they are registered with the Gas Safe Register.

Do not let anyone into your home to do the service if they don’t have the correct photo ID.

What happens before the gas test?

We will write to you, 7 days before your service is due. In the letter we will let you know your gas service is due and give you an appointment date and time slot. If you know you won’t be in at the time on your appointment letter, please get in touch with us to arrange a different time.

We need to complete all gas safety checks before the 12-month anniversary of the last check.

If you are on a pre-payment meter (gas and electric), please make sure that they are in at least £5 credit on the day of your service. This is so the engineer can run hot water and test your heating on the day of the service.

What do I need to do, on the day of the test?

Please make sure you are in on the day of the service and can let the engineer into your home. We will send you a text message the day before your service to remind you that we are coming.

Make sure the area around your appliances and gas meter are clear so the engineer can move freely around. This will help the engineer complete the service as quickly as they can.

Why does the gas service need to happen?

We have a legal requirement to make sure the gas appliances, and gas meter in your home are safe which means it is really important that we carry out the test.

If we are unable to gain access to your home, after trying to contact you a number of times, by letter, phone, email, text messages and visits then we will need to start legal action to get a Court Order injunction to allow access.

In some situations this can even lead to us taking back ownership of your home as failure to allow the service to be carried out is a breach of your tenancy agreement. You may also be charged £465.

I can smell gas, what do I need to do?

Call the Northern Gas Network for free on 0800 111 999
Open doors and windows to allow fresh air in to your home.
Do not use matches or smoke. Put out all any naked flames in your home, for example candles.
Don’t turn on any electrical switches as this can set fire to escaping gas
If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, please contact Northern Gas Network on 0800 111 999.