Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) tenants are being urged to allow contractors access to properties to carry out annual safety checks on gas boilers.

A spokesperson from the NIHE said: "As a landlord, we have a legal obligation to carry out an annual gas safety check. Gas safety in the home is paramount and failure to allow this service will result in gas capping, a disconnection of the service. Tenants may also face a charge for reconnection. While this is a last resort it will be carried out if required.

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In 2016, we recorded 632 no access cases across Northern Ireland. The majority of those have now been resolved.

"We aim to be as flexible as possible and households will initially receive a letter informing them of a date for the service check, which they can change if it is unsuitable.

"If there is no response, the tenant will be issued with a 'no access' card, which informs them of the need to make contact with the contractor and warns that the gas supply will be cut off if they do not comply."

(CD/LM)