Tenant Boiler Costs: What You Really Pay for Repairs and Replacements

When your boiler breaks down and you’re a tenant, the big question isn’t just tenant boiler costs—it’s who pays. Under UK law, your landlord is responsible for maintaining and repairing the boiler if it’s part of the property’s fixed installation. This isn’t a courtesy—it’s a legal duty. A boiler is a gas boiler, a central heating system that uses gas to warm water for radiators and taps, and it’s not something you’re expected to fix yourself, even if the manual says "do it yourself." But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for knowing what’s covered and what’s not.

Most tenant boiler issues fall into three buckets: repair, replacement, or emergency call-out. Repairs—like fixing a faulty thermostat, resetting a pressure valve, or clearing a blocked pipe—usually cost between £100 and £300. If your boiler is over 10 years old and keeps breaking, replacement becomes the smarter move. A new boiler replacement cost, the total price to install a new gas boiler, including removal, flue, and controls in the UK averages £2,000 to £3,500, but your landlord covers that, not you. And if your boiler stops working in winter? That’s an emergency repair. Landlords must act quickly—delaying it could be a breach of housing regulations.

There are exceptions. If you caused the damage—say, by turning the thermostat up too high, ignoring warning signs, or letting the system freeze because you left the heating off for weeks—you might be on the hook. But if the boiler just died after 12 years of use? That’s wear and tear. Your landlord’s insurance should cover it. And if they refuse? You can report them to your local council’s environmental health team. Many tenants don’t know this, but you have rights. You’re not paying rent to fix their appliances.

Don’t confuse boiler service with boiler repair. Annual servicing—usually done by a Gas Safe registered engineer—is part of the landlord’s maintenance routine. It’s not optional. If your landlord hasn’t serviced the boiler in over a year, ask for proof. If they can’t show you a certificate, that’s a red flag. A poorly maintained boiler isn’t just expensive—it’s dangerous. Carbon monoxide leaks from old or broken boilers kill people every year. That’s why the law requires landlords to keep them safe.

What about those "free boiler grants" you see online? Some are scams. But legitimate ones exist through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme—if your landlord qualifies based on income or property type, they can get a new boiler installed for free or at a deep discount. You don’t apply for it yourself. But you can ask your landlord if they’ve checked eligibility. It’s not your job to fix the system, but it is your job to know your rights.

Below, you’ll find real guides from people who’ve been there—how to spot a failing boiler before it leaves you cold, what questions to ask your landlord, why some repair quotes are way too high, and when it’s time to push back. No fluff. No jargon. Just what actually matters when your hot water vanishes and the bills start piling up.