What is landlord boiler cover?

If you’re a landlord and wondering whether you need a landlord boiler care package, or if it’s even worth taking out cover, we’re here to help make up your mind. Landlord boiler cover is a type of insurance that’s essential for ensuring your tenants stay warm and cosy and avoid those unexpected boiler breakdowns.

Boiler cover, also known as gas boiler cover or boiler breakdown cover, insures your boiler if it were to breakdown or encounter a fault. If something were to go wrong with the boiler, the boiler cover will take care of the costs of engineer call outs and labour. It also includes an annual boiler service, which is vital to keep the manufacturer warranty valid and the boiler in full working order.

For landlords, boiler cover is tailored to meet the needs of those who have rental properties. This means that there are certain features of these packages that are designed with landlords in mind. Here, we take a look at what home boiler cover for landlords includes and if it is right for you.

Do I need landlord boiler cover?

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to cover the cost of repairs for a broken or faulty boiler, as well as arranging for an engineer to sort the issue. You will also be responsible for replacing the boiler if your engineer advises you need a new one.

Your tenants won’t be able to take out boiler cover or arrange the repair themselves, which is why having appropriate cover is important. With your permission and with landlord boiler cover in place, the tenant may be able to arrange an engineer call out or repair if the boiler were to break down in your absence.

If you already have landlord home insurance, you may have boiler cover in place as part of your buildings and contents insurance. It’s worth checking your current policy to see what’s included. It may be that landlord boiler care or gas central heating cover is part of the package.

What if I have a warranty?

Most modern boilers will come bundled with a manufacturer warranty of up to 10 years, depending on the installer. If you’ve chosen an installer that’s approved by the manufacturer, you’re more likely to have your boiler protected by an extended warranty.

Should you want to install a Vaillant or Worcester Bosch boiler, look for Vaillant Advanced and Worcester-accredited installers. This will give you the opportunity to take full advantage of an extended warranty.

At this point, you’re probably wondering what’s the point in landlord boiler cover if I have a manufacturer warranty? Your boiler’s manufacturer warranty shouldn’t be the only thing you rely on if your boiler were to run into a fault or break down. The warranty is only there to cover you if your boiler fails or breaks down within a certain number of years.

However, if the fault or breakdown is caused by physical damage or limescale, this may void your warranty. It’s important to double check your manufacturer warranty to make sure you know what is actually covered.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that if the boiler is older than 15 years, you may have to pay more for cover as it’s more likely that the boiler will break down due to its age, plus it will be out of warranty. Some boiler cover products will also have specific terms around whether they can cover you if the boiler has already broken down, so this is something to be aware of.

Landlord boiler insurance takes the stress out of boiler breakdowns and repairs. You’ll avoid having to pay a large sum of money to repair your boiler and receive a regular annual service scheduled to keep your manufacturer warranty valid.

This cover also gives you access to a helpline, unlimited call outs, and the added bonus of repairs to the boiler’s controls should they develop a fault. With landlord boiler cover, it’s always best to double check you’re getting the best deal possible.

Important Information

Some providers offer insured plans to look after your Boiler and Heating and other home services like plumbing, drains and electrics, whereas other providers offer non-insured plans. An insured plan will be underwritten by an insurer and also regulated by the [Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)](https://www.fca.org.uk/). Non-insured plans are not backed by an insurer and are not regulated by the FCA. Often non-insured or maintenance plans include an annual service of the equipment covered, whereas these may or may not be included in insured plans

What’s the difference between homeowner boiler cover and landlord boiler cover?

Boiler cover for a homeowner will usually include repairs for both your boiler and controls, an annual boiler service, and several call outs included in the monthly price. The main difference with landlord boiler cover is that you’ll get a Landlord Gas Safety Record, which is a legal document that shows that you have had your gas appliances checked annually.

Landlord boiler cover vs Central heating cover

So far, we’ve looked at landlord boiler cover. You may now be wondering what’s the difference between this type of insurance and central heating cover. It can be confusing to work out where landlord boiler and central heating cover differ.

As a general rule of thumb, boiler cover will only protect your boiler and controls, while central heating cover is for your boiler, controls, radiators, pipework, and cylinder. Central heating cover is typically referred to as boiler and heating cover as it covers more than just the boiler.

Where it is defined as landlord boiler and central heating cover, it is referring to everything that central heating cover includes for landlords. This definition is necessary because it is slightly different to the central heating cover that homeowners receive.

What landlord boiler cover do I need?

Most landlord boiler cover packages will offer the same thing. The main things to look out for are the number of call outs included as part of the package, how much you’ll need to pay, whether the helpline is available 24/7, and if you can schedule repairs for evenings and weekends.

The most crucial factor to consider when choosing any form of cover is that it’s suitable for your needs. You want to have total peace of mind, especially as you aren’t a resident at the property. Some policies may only cover a certain number of repairs and breakdowns in a year, while others will include an unlimited number of call outs in the price. It’s important to compare the different types of boiler cover for landlords before you decide which package to go for.

What is an annual service visit?

To ensure that your boiler’s warranty remains valid, an annual boiler service is needed for regular checks. Your gas boiler should be serviced once a year by a Gas Safe engineer. This includes a visual check of the boiler and controls, along with an inspection of the internal components of the boiler. These checks are made to make sure the boiler is firing properly and in good condition.

Most landlord boiler cover packages will come with an annual service, free of charge, as well as a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate.

What is excess?

Excess is a charge you may have to pay for an engineer to visit your property and fix your boiler. Some cover packages will include the excess in their monthly price – search for landlord cover with no excess to find these insurance plans – while others may charge you around £50 for each engineer call out.

Can I switch to a different landlord boiler care provider?

You don’t need to stick with the same provider year after year. Making the move from one landlord boiler cover provider to another is easy, plus you could make a quick saving.

Before you switch, it’s essential to check the terms and conditions of your existing cover package to ensure that you’re not stung with a sizeable cancellation fee. You can wait until your policy expires, which is usually 12 months from the date you took out your plan. Otherwise, you can pay the cancellation fee if you’re unhappy with your existing policy.

Be sure to do your research before selecting your next landlord boiler care package. Insurance is there to protect your property, so take the time to find the right fit for you.