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.