As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to arrange central heating insurance and to take immediate action if the boiler breaks. Faulty gas appliances can be extremely dangerous, so here’s how to cope in an emergency situation.

Visit your property

If the boiler stops working, you must visit your rental property as soon as possible. You’re required by law to provide a house, flat, bungalow, apartment or studio in a good state of repair, so try to be as helpful as possible. Tell the residents of your house that you’re on your way and give them an emergency number to call if they’re worried. Dealing with issues quickly could save you money and will earn you respect as a landlord.

Consult the manual

When you arrive on the scene, consult the boiler manual and make some simple checks. Make sure the pilot light is glowing blue (not yellow) and that the gas supply is on at the mains. Defrost the condensate pipe if it’s frozen and look to see that the thermostat is not broken. It’s also wise to examine the central heating pressure and to ensure all timers are set correctly. If you’re not sure what’s wrong research boiler servicing online and save complicated repairs for a highly-trained engineer.

Call for help

There are many ways to avoid a household emergency, but calling a Gas Safe Register approved engineer could save you a lot of hassle. Highly-trained engineers will make sure your boiler is in a good state of repair and will fix small and large faults quickly. Always book a service with a reputable company and check the ID of any repair man. A bodged job can be life-threatening as poorly maintained appliances can leak a poisonous gas known as carbon monoxide.

Take out boiler insurance

Nip boiler problems in the bud and protect your bank balance by taking out boiler insurance. Many companies will cover the cost of expensive repairs and will help you to keep your heating system up and running. Boilers are prone to problems, so it’s wise to be prepared for every eventuality – as a lack of heating in winter can be miserable. There are many great deals out there for landlords and homeowners, so take responsibility for your property.

It’s the duty of all landlords to look after their property, so don’t take any risks. Have small leaks and noisy heating systems seen too before they become a big problem.

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