From 1st October 2026, all Gas Safe registered engineers in the UK must carry out gas tightness tests under a new industry standard. For BCH, this means our partnering contractor, Read & Errington, will complete this as part of every annual Gas Safety check they carry out on our behalf.
A gas tightness test confirms that the gas pipework in your home is sealed and not leaking. It involves isolating the gas supply and applying a set pressure to the system. If the pressure remains stable, the pipework is considered safe.
While completing the gas tightness test, if a pressure drop is noted below standards, Read & Errington will need to investigate the reason for the pressure drop. If this happens at your home, it will mean that additional time will be required to identify the cause and resolve the issue and you will be kept informed.
| Allow access for your gas safety check |
As your landlord, we are legally required to ensure that maintenance and annual gas safety checks are carried out on the appliances in our properties by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes the boiler, smoke detectors and CO detectors.
As a tenant, it is your responsibility to allow us access to complete these essential safety checks, and this is a condition of your tenancy agreement. We will always give you notice that we intend to visit you, and we will give you the opportunity to arrange a convenient appointment. If you do not allow us access to your home, this could affect your safety and the safety of your neighbours, and we may need to take legal action.
All BCH staff and contractors will carry ID when we visit you. If you are unsure, you should ask to see ID. You can contact the Repairs Team on 01253 477900 (select option 2) to confirm the identity of any BCH staff or contractors.