Is a tenant responsible for their boiler service?
With over *24 million renters in the UK, and a further *1 million University students heading off to live in rented accommodation each year, the question of who is responsible for boiler servicing is of the utmost importance, especially in those chilly winter months.
Understanding who is responsible for your boiler servicing and the appropriate lines of communication for raising faults and issues are details that should be front of mind for both private tenants, and University students living in halls of residence or privately let student accommodation.
So just who is responsible for boiler servicing in rented accommodation? Tenants or landlords?
Who is responsible for a boiler service in rented accommodation?
Boiler servicing falls under the responsibility of the landlord, not the tenant.
However, landlords are not legally obliged to conduct a boiler service, but it is considered best practice to do so to ensure that the boiler is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Is a gas safety check the same as a boiler service?
No, a gas safety check is not the same as a boiler service.
A gas safety check is a legal requirement Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and is done to check the safety of gas appliances and systems.
The landlord will be issued a certificate (LGSR – Landlord Gas Safety Record) upon completion of a gas safety inspection which you, as a tenant can ask to see. We can issue Landlord Gas Safety certificates when carrying out a boiler service for a small additional charge.
What are a tenant’s duties when it comes to boiler maintenance?
Whilst landlords are responsible for ensuring that the boiler is safe and functional, tenants are responsible for using the boiler appropriately and not causing any damage through misuse.
If an issue with the boiler does arise, tenants have a duty to report it to their landlord as soon as it happens. They must also allow access to the property for an annual boiler service, maintenance, or repairs as required by the landlord.
If a tenant does not report problems promptly or denies access for repairs, they could be liable for any resulting damage or issues that worsen due to delays.
Does a tenant ever need to pay for a boiler service?
A tenant might be liable to cover the costs of a boiler service if there is found to be a fault or damage that has been caused due to their misuse or negligence.
Tenants should also check their tenancy agreements to ensure that there are no specific clauses regarding maintenance responsibilities, although this is rare.
Considerations for University Students
Similar to tenants renting privately, students living in University halls of residence or in privately rented student accommodation will not be responsible for boiler servicing.
For those in halls of residence, the responsibility will lie with the university or company that manages the halls of residence maintenance on their behalf.
Each University will have a different process for raising concerns regarding your boiler so be sure to get in touch with your University to understand the reporting process so that any issues can be resolved in a timely manner.
Similarly, the responsibility sits with the landlord or the managing agent for students in privately rented student accommodation. They should be the first point of contact for boiler issues.
What should you do if you have an issue with your boiler?
In some cases, boiler issues can be remedied quickly and safely without needing experts.
However, if you are not confident in troubleshooting, always contact your landlord, managing agent or maintenance company as soon as an issue arises.
Troubleshooting tips you can try before calling your landlord, managing agent or maintenance company include:
- Check your energy supply – Ensure your gas, electricity and water supplies are on and functioning properly.
- Check the boiler pressure – If it is too low (typically below 1 bar), you may need to top it up according to the boiler manual.
- Review error codes or warning lights: Most modern boilers will display error codes when something is wrong. Consult the boiler manual or manufacturer’s website to troubleshoot minor issues.
Although not a legal requirement, like a gas safety check, the servicing of a boiler is something that should be carried out annually to ensure its smooth operation.
The responsibility sits with the landlord, managing agent or maintenance company, except for on very rare occasions, which would be outlined in your tenancy agreement.
To safeguard themselves from any unexpected boiler service cost, tenants are urged to maintain the boiler as best as they can, report a fault as soon as it arises, and allow access for any maintenance to be carried out.
Custom heat also offers boiler servicing and boiler care plans, perfect for landlords looking to avoid paying for expensive repairs in the future and to keep tenants’ boilers running efficiently and smoothly.
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