Many financial experts believe that landlords in the United Kingdom should prioritize the maintenance of the boilers in their tenant’s property. If problems occur with a boiler, the landlord could find themselves having problems with the law or a chance that the boiler will break down. Having to replace a broken-down boiler with a brand new one can cost a pretty penny, so how can landlords avoid having to break the bank and keep their current boilers in good shape?
The law in the United Kingdom states landlords are responsible for maintaining the following:
- Hot water
- Pipes
- Wiring
- Heating
- Ventilation
Is the Landlord or the Tenant Responsible for the Boiler?
A lot of tenants and landlords have issues on whose job it is to maintain the property’s boilers. Although most tenants take care of the boiler’s day-to-day maintenance, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to make sure the boiler is kept in good working order. The tenant should report to the landlord immediately if they notice any problems with the boiler, plus, they should keep the heating running when it should be running, but apart from that, it’s in the landlord’s hands to make sure it is properly maintained.
According to the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985), landlords have to make sure that the boiler is working properly and maintained regularly. If there is a gas boiler on the property, landlords must make sure that it has had its annual gas safety check. This gas check can only be carried out by a registered engineer. Under the current law, landlords must keep copies of the maintenance carried out on their boiler in case of any issues down the line. When a new tenant moves into the property, the landlord should provide them with copies. However, if the current tenant has damaged the boiler in the property, they are responsible for fixing or replacing it.
A lot of tenants complain that their landlord has taken a long time for them to fix the boiler, which can damage the relationship between the landlord and the tenant. The cost of fixing or replacing a boiler can break the bank, so often landlords try to avoid paying these fees. However, legally the landlord should fix the boiler if there are problems in a ‘reasonable time’. If there is an emergency repair needed, the landlord must have a registered engineer at the property within 24 hours.
Is it Worth getting Boiler Cover?
Before landlords consider taking out boiler coverage, they should first examine their current insurance policy on their property. Some home insurance policies will cover boiler emergencies. Different policies will offer different amounts of payouts, so consider speaking to your insurance broker for more details.
So, why are so many landlords still taking out boiler coverage, even when they have taken out an insurance policy that protects the boiler when an emergency occurs? Well, insurance companies will have to look at the situation as an emergency for them to pay for the costs to repair the boiler. Most tenants rely on hot water throughout the year, but if the boiler were to break down during a hot summer’s day, then it’s likely the insurance company wouldn’t look at it as an emergency. If this is the case, the landlord will have to pay for the repairs out of their own pocket.
It is not surprising that so many landlords are looking to take out landlord boiler cover protection these days. If you are looking to purchase boiler coverage, don’t forget to examine all the details of the policy first. Most companies offer year-round coverage but don’t forget to read all the small print to make sure you know what you are paying for. You should also know how many call-outs you are entitled each year.
A lot of landlords are put off by the price of the cost of boiler coverage, however, taking out boiler coverage might save them a lot of cash in the long run.
Conclusion
Boiler problems are one of the biggest issues landlords and tenants face. Neither tenants or landlords want to have problems with the boiler, as the tenant might be left in the cold during the Winter or Autumn, which might leave the landlord out of pocket.
By taking out boiler coverage from a reputable company, it puts the landlord’s mind at ease. Although it might be an expenditure that a lot of landlords had not planned on spending, it might prove to be a worthwhile investment. In a lot of homes, boilers are the most expensive things inside the property. It is vital that the landlord keeps on top of the boiler so that everything runs smoothly. Boilers in the United Kingdom can cost anywhere from £500 to £2,500.
