If you’re a landlord or letting agent in the UK, understanding your legal responsibilities around boilers and gas appliances isn’t optional, it’s essential.
From annual gas safety checks to repairs and maintenance, failing to meet your obligations can put tenants at risk and leave you exposed to fines or legal action.
One of the most common questions landlords ask is whether boiler servicing is a legal requirement. The answer isn’t always straightforward, so in this guide we break it down clearly and explain exactly what the law requires, and how to stay compliant.
Is Boiler Servicing a Legal Requirement?
For homeowners and tenants, boiler servicing is not a legal requirement, but it is highly recommended.
Regular boiler servicing:
- Keeps your boiler running efficiently and safely.
- Reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns, which can be costly and disruptive.
- Helps identify small issues before they turn into major repairs.
- Can reduce energy bills by improving efficiency.
If you want to explore this further, we’ve covered practical tips in our guide on how to reduce heating costs.
It’s also worth knowing the early warning signs that a boiler needs a repair or replacement. Catching these early can prevent emergency callouts.
While servicing alone isn’t written into law for private homeowners, the situation is different when it comes to landlords.
Landlord Legal Responsibilities Explained
UK landlords have clear legal duties when it comes to boilers, heating systems, and gas appliances. These responsibilities exist to ensure tenants live in a safe, warm home with reliable hot water.
Maintenance and Repairs (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985)
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords are responsible for the maintenance and repair of boilers and heating systems in their rental properties.
For landlord boiler responsibilities, this means:
- You must keep the boiler in proper working order.
- You are responsible for repairing faults or breakdowns.
- Your tenant has a legal right to heating and hot water.
If a boiler stops working, especially during colder months, it should be treated as a priority repair.
Annual Gas Safety Checks (Legal Requirement)
This is the most important legal obligation for landlords.
By law:
- All gas appliances, pipework, and flues must receive an annual gas safety check
- The check must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- A valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) must be issued
This applies to:
- Boilers
- Gas cookers
- Fires
- Pipework and flues (not just the boiler itself)
You must:
- Provide tenants with a copy of the certificate within 28 days
- Give new tenants a copy before they move in
- Keep records for at least two years
While the gas safety check is the legal minimum, most landlords choose to combine this with a regular boiler service to ensure ongoing safety and reliability.
Why Servicing Matters for Landlords
Even though boiler servicing isn’t explicitly named as a legal requirement, it plays a key role in meeting your wider responsibilities.
Regular servicing:
- Helps prove you are taking reasonable steps to keep the boiler safe.
- Reduces emergency breakdowns and tenant complaints.
- Can be required to maintain manufacturer warranties.
- Helps avoid long periods without heating or hot water.
In practice, most landlords schedule servicing at the same time as the annual gas safety check to ensure that the boiler is working efficiently and not at risk of breakdown.
How Myza Can Help
At Myza Gas, we work with landlords and letting agents to make boiler and gas compliance straightforward. We can carry out your gas safety certificates and offer a complete range of boiler services including installation, repairs and servicing, in addition to plumbing services.
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Can landlords get boiler grants?
In some cases, landlords may be eligible for grants or funding schemes, depending on the property type, energy efficiency rating, and government schemes available at the time. Eligibility can change, so it’s always best to seek professional advice.
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How long does a landlord have to fix a boiler?
There’s no fixed timeframe set in law, but repairs must be carried out within a reasonable time. A complete boiler breakdown — especially during winter — is usually considered an urgent repair and should be addressed as quickly as possible.
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Does the landlord pay for boiler repairs?
Yes. If the boiler was provided as part of the tenancy and the issue is not caused by tenant misuse or damage, the landlord is responsible for covering the cost of repairs.
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How often should a landlord replace a boiler?
Most boilers last around 10–15 years, depending on usage and maintenance. Frequent breakdowns, increasing repair costs, or poor energy efficiency are common signs that replacement may be the more cost-effective option.
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Do you offer emergency boiler repairs?
Yes. We provide emergency boiler repair services to restore heating and hot water as quickly as possible.
Landlord Boiler Services from Myza Gas
Contact Myza today if you’re a landlord or letting agent looking for a reliable, professional plumbing and heating engineer.
We can help with boiler servicing, gas appliance work, emergency repairs, and landlord certificates, all delivered efficiently and compliantly.
Get in touch today on 01793 251 552 or fill out our contact form, and one of our friendly team members will get back to you.