Guides & advice
Know your boiler
What our engineers wish every London homeowner and landlord knew — about annual servicing, Gas Safety Certificates, service plans and choosing a company that actually shows you the paperwork.
All guides
Service Plans · 6 min read
Should You Buy a Boiler Service Plan From Baxi, Vaillant or Worcester Bosch?
A service plan from your boiler's manufacturer makes sense when you want servicing and warranty repairs from one company and the boiler is your only gas appliance. Here is what these plans usually cover, when they are the wrong answer, and what to ask before you sign.
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Maintenance & Compliance · 6 min read
Boiler Flue in a Ceiling Void: Do You Need Inspection Hatches?
If your boiler flue runs through a ceiling void or boxing, a Gas Safe registered engineer has to be able to inspect it. Without inspection hatches, the boiler is classed as At Risk at a service or gas safety check. Here is what the rule means and how to sort it before your next visit.
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Compliance · 6 min read
What Is a Gas Interlock System in a Commercial Kitchen?
A gas interlock links a commercial kitchen's gas supply to its extraction, so gas cannot flow unless the fans are running. Here is how it works, which kitchens need one, why it trips and how it is tested at the annual gas safety check.
Read guidePricing & Costs · 6 min read
How Much Does a Commercial Boiler Service Cost? What Sets the Price
A commercial boiler service has no single price, because no two plant rooms are the same. The number and size of boilers, the type of burner, the plant room, the paperwork and the timing decide the quote. Here is what drives the cost and how to get a quote you can compare.
Read guideCompliance · 6 min read
Care Home Gas Safety: Certificates, Boiler Servicing and Who Is Responsible
A care home needs every gas appliance, pipe and flue kept safe by law, which in practice means an annual gas safety inspection and boiler service by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. Here is which records apply, who is responsible and how to plan servicing around residents.
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Compliance · 6 min read
Is CORGI Still Valid? CORGI vs Gas Safe Registered Engineers
CORGI registration has not counted for gas work since April 2009, when the Gas Safe Register replaced it. Here is why the name still appears, what old CORGI paperwork on your boiler means, and what to check before a service.
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Boiler Servicing · 5 min read
Vokera Boiler Service: What It Covers and Who Can Do It
A Vokera boiler needs the same annual service as any gas boiler, done by a Gas Safe registered engineer to Vokera's instructions for your model. Here is what the service covers, how it relates to the warranty and what to tell the engineer.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 5 min read
What Does a Combi Boiler Service Include?
A combi boiler service covers the usual gas safety, combustion and flue checks plus the parts that make hot water on demand. Here is the full checklist, what is not included and how to prepare.
Read guideService Plans · 7 min read
Boiler Service Plans for Landlords: Are They Worth It?
A service plan can make running a let property easier, but it does not carry your legal duties for you. Here is what a landlord plan needs to include, what it usually leaves out, and when paying per visit is the better choice.
Read guideCompliance · 7 min read
Does a Business Need a Gas Safety Certificate?
There is no single certificate the law requires every business to hold, the way landlords must hold a CP12. But the duty to keep gas appliances safe is real, and an annual inspection record is how most businesses show they have met it.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 7 min read
Should You Get a Boiler Inspection Before Buying a House?
A building survey will note the boiler but will not test it. Before you exchange, a Gas Safe engineer can tell you whether the boiler is safe, how it has been looked after and what the paperwork shows. Here is when that is worth doing.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 6 min read
LPG Boiler Service: What Is Different From a Mains Gas Service?
An LPG boiler is serviced once a year, like a mains gas boiler, but the engineer needs the right LPG qualification and the checks around the supply are different. Here is what to ask for before you book.
Read guideCompliance · 6 min read
Is a Boiler Service the Same as a Gas Safety Certificate?
A boiler service keeps the boiler working properly. A gas safety check confirms every gas appliance is safe on the day. Landlords need the check by law and should still service. Here is how the two fit together.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 6 min read
Do You Have to Use Your Gas Supplier for a Boiler Service?
Many people still think of the boiler service as a job for the gas board. It is not. Any Gas Safe registered engineer qualified for your boiler can service it. Here is who does what, and when your supplier is worth asking.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 6 min read
Do You Need a Gas Safety Certificate If You Only Have a Gas Hob?
Yes. A landlord who provides a gas hob or cooker needs an annual gas safety check and a certificate for it, even when the heating and hot water are electric. Here is why, what the engineer checks, and the few cases where no certificate is needed.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 6 min read
Does My Boiler Have to Be Serviced by the Manufacturer?
Usually not. Most boiler warranties accept an annual service by any Gas Safe registered engineer who follows the manufacturer's instructions and fills in the service record. Warranty repairs are a different matter, and a few warranties set their own rules.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 6 min read
Can You Service Your Own Boiler? What Owners Can and Can't Do
No, you can't service your own gas boiler. The service is gas work, and the law only lets people who are competent do it. There are still useful checks an owner can do between services, and a few jobs that look like maintenance but should be left alone.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 6 min read
Does a Holiday Let Need a Gas Safety Certificate and a Boiler Service?
A holiday let with a gas boiler needs the same annual gas safety check as any rented home, and a yearly boiler service is the sensible way to keep it safe between guests. Here is what applies, how guests see the record, and how to fit both around your bookings.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 5 min read
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rules for Landlords: Where Alarms Must Go
Since October 2022, landlords in England must fit a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that has a fixed combustion appliance, gas cookers excepted. Here is which rooms count, where the alarm goes, and who is responsible for testing it.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 5 min read
Landlord Boiler Responsibilities: Servicing, Repairs and How Long a Fix Can Take
In a rented home, the boiler is the landlord's responsibility: the annual gas safety check, keeping it in safe working order and repairing it within a reasonable time. Here is what that covers, what falls to the tenant, and what a reasonable time means in practice.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 6 min read
How Often Should a Gas Fire Be Serviced? What the Check Involves
Once a year is the standard for a gas fire, whether it is used every evening or twice a winter. Here is what the service checks, why the flue or chimney matters so much, and how to fit it in with your boiler service.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 6 min read
What Certificates Does a Landlord Need in London?
A London landlord needs three core certificates: a Gas Safety Record every year if there is any gas appliance, an Electrical Installation Condition Report at least every five years, and a valid Energy Performance Certificate. Here is how each one works and what else sits alongside them.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 6 min read
Oil Boiler Service: How It Differs From a Gas Boiler Service
An oil boiler needs servicing once a year, like a gas boiler, but the work is different and so is the engineer. Here is what an oil service covers, why the tank matters, and what to check before buying a service plan.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 6 min read
Are Radiators Checked in a Boiler Service? What a Service Doesn't Cover
A boiler service is a check of the boiler itself. Radiators, repairs, power flushing, other gas appliances and the hot water cylinder usually sit outside it. Here is where the line falls, so you know what to book.
Read guidePricing & Costs · 6 min read
How Much Does a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate Cost in London?
A landlord gas safety certificate typically costs £60 to £90 for one gas appliance, with £85 to £120 common in London. The number of appliances, access and whether you combine it with a boiler service move the price most.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 6 min read
My Landlord's Gas Safety Certificate Has Expired: What Can I Do?
If your landlord's gas safety certificate has expired, ask them in writing to book a new check, keep a record, and report it to the Health and Safety Executive if nothing happens. If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, treat it as an emergency first.
Read guideCompliance · 6 min read
How Often Should Commercial Gas Appliances Be Serviced?
Commercial gas appliances should have a safety check at least once every 12 months, and busy kitchens or large boiler plant often need servicing more often than that. Here is what the law requires, who is responsible and how to set a schedule.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 6 min read
How to Book a Boiler Service: What to Have Ready Before You Call
To book a boiler service, have the boiler's make, model and age, where it is fitted and the date of your last service ready, then book a Gas Safe registered engineer ahead of the anniversary of your last service. Here is what to ask and when to book.
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Boiler Servicing · 4 min read
How to Choose a Boiler Service Company in London: What Actually Matters
Not every boiler service is the same visit under a different name. Here's what to check before you book, and why the paperwork you're given afterwards matters as much as the visit itself.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 4 min read
What Is a CP12? The Landlord Gas Safety Record Explained for London Landlords
If you let a property with any gas appliance, an annual Gas Safety Certificate isn't optional. Here's what it actually covers and how the renewal cycle works.
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Pricing & Costs · 3 min read
Boiler Service Cost: What Affects the Price You're Quoted
The cost of a boiler service depends on the boiler's type and age, how easy it is to reach, where you are and any extra work needed. Here's what drives the price and what to ask before comparing quotes.
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Maintenance & Compliance · 3 min read
Signs Your Boiler Needs Servicing Before Its Next Check
Strange noises, a yellow or orange flame and pressure that keeps dropping are signs your boiler needs looking at now, not at its next annual service. Here's what each one means.
Read guideService Plans · 3 min read
Boiler Service Plans: Six Things to Ask the Provider Before You Sign Up
Service plans range from 'annual service only' to 'service plus breakdown cover', and the difference between tiers matters more than the headline price.
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Maintenance & Compliance · 3 min read
Before You Turn the Heating On: Seven Boiler Jobs for London Homes
The best time to sort out your boiler is before you actually need it every day. Here's a short, practical checklist to work through before the heating season starts.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 4 min read
What Happens During a Boiler Service Visit, From Arrival to Paperwork
A professional boiler service follows a precise sequence. This guide walks you through each step, from the engineer's arrival to the final safety certificate.
Read guideCompliance · 4 min read
Gas Safe Engineer Check: How to Verify an ID Card & Licence
To check an engineer is Gas Safe registered, look at their Gas Safe ID card, then enter the seven-digit licence number on the official Gas Safe Register website. This guide explains each step and what the card should show.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 4 min read
Combi vs System vs Regular Boilers: Servicing Differences Explained
Combi, system, and regular boilers require different servicing approaches. This guide explains the practical checks for each type during an annual service.
Read guideCompliance · 4 min read
How to Read Your Boiler's Service Record (And Why to Keep It)
A boiler service record is the engineer's log of every check made during a service, from combustion to gas pressure, and it's the proof manufacturers ask for on a warranty claim. Here's how to read it and keep it organised.
Read guidePricing & Costs · 4 min read
Selling a House in London: Why Your Boiler Service History Matters
When selling a London property, your boiler's service history is a key document. A missing record can raise red flags for buyers and potentially delay your sale.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 4 min read
New Tenant Checklist: What Landlords Must Provide Before Move-In
A smooth tenancy starts with the right paperwork. This checklist details the essential gas safety documents landlords must provide before a tenant moves in.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 4 min read
How Often Does a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate Need Renewing?
A Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) must be renewed every 12 months. This article explains the renewal cycle, the early renewal window, and how to set up a simple reminder system.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 4 min read
HMO Gas Safety Compliance: What Landlords of Shared Houses Need to Know
Landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation face specific gas safety obligations. This guide explains the rules for appliances in shared and private areas.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 4 min read
Boiler Warranty Explained: How Annual Servicing Protects It
A boiler manufacturer warranty usually depends on an unbroken annual service record: miss a year and a later claim can be refused. Here's what you must do to keep it valid.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 4 min read
Central Heating Power Flush: What It Is, When You Need It
A central heating power flush forces cleaning solution through every radiator and pipe to clear sludge, and takes 4 to 8 hours in an average home. Here are the signs you need one and how it differs from a standard service.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 4 min read
New Build Boiler Warranty: Do You Still Need a Service?
Yes: a new build boiler needs its first annual service to keep the manufacturer's warranty valid, even if it's running perfectly. Here's why that first check matters and what it covers.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 4 min read
Managing Agent vs Landlord: Who's Responsible for Gas Safety Compliance?
Appointing a managing agent does not transfer your legal duties as a landlord. Understand where the responsibility for gas safety compliance ultimately lies.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 4 min read
Gas Safety Certificate Lapsed? A Landlord's Step-by-Step Action Plan
A lapsed gas safety certificate requires prompt action. This guide details the practical steps you must take to arrange a new inspection and manage the situation with your tenants.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 4 min read
Boiler Servicing Across a Rental Portfolio: A Landlord's Guide
Managing boiler servicing and gas safety certificates for multiple properties can be complex. This guide outlines a clear strategy for landlords to maintain compliance efficiently.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 5 min read
Why Does My Boiler Need Servicing Every Year? Safety, Efficiency and Resale
Discover the six essential reasons, from safety to savings, why you should never skip your boiler's annual service.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 6 min read
What Happens If You Skip Your Annual Boiler Service?
Skip your annual boiler service and the manufacturer can reject a future warranty claim, small faults go unnoticed, and landlords risk breaking the law. Here's every real consequence, and what to do next.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 6 min read
No Landlord Gas Safety Certificate? What Actually Happens
Letting a property without a valid Gas Safety Certificate is a serious legal breach from day one of the tenancy.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 5 min read
Why Is My Boiler Losing Pressure? Every Common Cause
Discover every common reason your sealed heating system's pressure keeps dropping, from simple fixes to serious faults requiring a Gas Safe engineer.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 5 min read
How to Repressurise a Boiler Safely: Step by Step
Learn how to safely top up your boiler's pressure with this clear, step-by-step guide, and know when it's time to call an expert.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 5 min read
When Does a Landlord Need a Gas Safety Certificate? New Tenancies, Portfolios and HMOs
A comprehensive guide to the legal timing and renewal rules for a landlord's annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12).
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 5 min read
Signs Your Boiler Service Was Actually Done Properly
Did your boiler engineer perform a proper service? This checklist reveals the six clear signs of a thorough and safe annual check.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 5 min read
What a Gas Safe Engineer Checks: Flue, Combustion and Safety Devices
Discover exactly what a Gas Safe engineer checks during a full annual boiler service, from internal components to safety devices.
Read guidePricing & Costs · 5 min read
Boiler Service vs Boiler Cover: Which One Do You Need?
A boiler service is an annual safety and efficiency check by a Gas Safe engineer; boiler cover is a policy that pays towards repairs when the boiler breaks down. Here's what each one really means.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 5 min read
What Happens During a Gas Safety Certificate Inspection
A detailed walkthrough of every step a Gas Safe engineer takes during a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) inspection.
Read guideLandlord Compliance · 5 min read
Common Reasons a Boiler Fails Its Gas Safety Check
Discover the key reasons a boiler can fail its mandatory Gas Safety Check and what a landlord must do to stay compliant.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 5 min read
Thermostat and Timer Problems That Are Not Actually Boiler Faults
If your heating's timing or temperature is off, the fault often lies with your thermostat or programmer, not the boiler itself.
Read guideCompliance · 6 min read
Do Homeowners Need a Gas Safety Certificate? Landlord vs Owner-Occupier Explained
If you own and live in your home, you don't legally need a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), but understanding the difference is key to safety and compliance.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 6 min read
How Long Does a Boiler Service Take?
A standard annual boiler service usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Older boilers, awkward access and a combined gas safety check all add time, and a visit that is over in ten minutes almost certainly skipped something.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 6 min read
Boiler Pressure Too High? How to Lower It Safely
If the gauge is above the green zone when the boiler is cold, you can usually bring it down by bleeding water from a radiator. If the pressure keeps climbing back up, the cause is in the system and needs an engineer.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 6 min read
How to Reset a Boiler (and When Not To)
Most boilers have a reset button or reset option that restarts them after a lockout. Check the gas supply, the pressure and the condensate pipe first, reset once as the manual describes, and call an engineer if it locks out again.
Read guideMaintenance & Compliance · 6 min read
Carbon Monoxide From a Boiler: The Warning Signs
Carbon monoxide can't be seen or smelled, so you rely on warning signs: a yellow or orange flame, soot or staining around the boiler, and headaches or nausea that ease when you leave the house. If you suspect it, get out, get fresh air in, and call the gas emergency line.
Read guideBoiler Servicing · 6 min read
How Long Do Boilers Last? What Actually Decides It
There is no fixed lifespan for a boiler. How long yours lasts depends on how well it was built and installed, the condition of the water in the system, how hard it works and, most of all, whether it has been serviced every year.
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