It’s always good to have a back-up plan, isn’t it?
If you’re a landlord considering a new boiler, you may have already looked into maintenance contracts, as they provide reliable protection in case you need it.
But do you actually NEED a maintenance contract for a new boiler?
A lot of Edinburgh landlords ask me this question, and the short answer is no.
Let me explain more, below…
Your legal requirements
There is no legal requirement for landlords to obtain a maintenance contract.
However, as a landlord, you are responsible for carrying out an annual inspection of all gas appliances annually by a Gas Registered engineer, who will provide a a CP12 certificate (AKA a Landlords’ Safety Certificate).
You must keep hold of your CP12 for two years, and issue copies to new and existing tenants.
The benefits of a maintenance contract
Don’t get me wrong – there are benefits of having a maintenance contract in place.
For instance, you’ll have ultimate peace of mind, as the cost of outsourcing any problems with arise from your boiler, radiators or pipework can be taken care of for a monthly or annual charge.
However, if your boiler is brand new and fairly reliable, you could be spending money unnecessarily as you’re less likely to run into any problems during the first few years.
Which brings me to my best advice for landlords considering a new boiler…
Get a good guarantee
New boilers will come with guarantees that can last anything from 2 – 10 years – as long as they’re serviced annually.
TIP: I particularly recommend Worcester Bosch’s no quibble guarantee as it’s currently the best on the market and lasts for around 8 – 10 years (depending on the model).
During that period you do not require a maintenance contract on your boiler. However you must have the boiler serviced and a Landlords’ Safety Certificate (CP12) issued to you for £90 per year or £8 per month.
Another option is to have your boiler serviced, with a Landlords’ Safety Certificate provided, and radiators valves and pipework covered for a total of £120 per year, or £11 per month.
TIP: It’s wise to bear in mind that after the initial guarantee on you boiler expires, the monthly cost or annual cost will increase – so then it might be wise to re-evaluate your options.
Conclusion
If you’re a landlord considering a new boiler, you may find the idea of a maintenance contract appealing, as it means you won’t have to worry about forking out extra for call-outs should you need them.
However, most new boilers don’t tend to run into problems in the first few years, and most will also be covered by a guarantee, so you could find you’re spending money unnecessarily.
My best advice here is to pick a quality, reliable boiler with a good no-quibble 8-10 year guarantee. As long as it’s serviced annually, and you get your CP12 safety certificate issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer, you’ll be covered for all eventualities.
Are you considering a maintenance contract for your new boiler?
