Boiler Installation
Landlords are legally responsible for repairs to heating, hot water, gas appliances, pipes, flues, ventilation, wiring, and sanitary fittings. This means boiler repairs and servicing is up to you.
It’s also the landlord’s legal obligation to service any gas appliances with the frequency required by the manufacturer – you’ll find this detailed in the product manual.
When it comes to gas boiler service legal requirements, you must have an annual gas safety check conducted by a registered engineer. You must keep copies of these checks, and they must be supplied to tenants at the beginning of each tenancy. Copies of the gas safety check record must be kept for at least two years.
Who’s responsible for boiler service – landlords or tenants?
The landlord is responsible for servicing the boiler. The Landlord and Tenant Act (1985) requires that landlords keep in good repair and working order installations that supply water, gas, and electricity, as well as sanitation systems. In the same way, landlords are also responsible for space heating and water heating systems.
However, tenants generally assume responsibility for daily maintenance such as keeping the heating running when necessary, and for reporting problems. Some tenancy agreements also stipulate that the tenant has responsibility for maintaining chimneys and flues.
The only exception to the landlord’s responsibility for boilers is when damage has been caused specifically by the tenant through mistreatment.