Choosing a boiler: The checklist

Need to change your boiler? The first thing I'm sure you'll be thinking about is the expense. Yes, boilers don't come cheap. And while you'll want to save money where you can - it's also important to buy something that won't break down and require you to spend even more money on repairs. And of course - the most important factor in anyone's search for a boiler is safety.

A lot to consider - so how do you make sure you're looking in the right direction? Well luckily Which?

 have a replacement boiler checklist to outline your options. Covering fuel type, boiler type, efficiency, manufacturer and making sure your boiler has the right controls for you - this guide is an essential read for anyone who wants their options fully explained when it comes to getting a boiler.

And as well as running down a handy checklist, the guide also comes with a warning - don't try to install a boiler yourself. No matter how good your DIY skills are, there's no messing about when it comes to gas safety, and no room for error. Leave it to a professional and ask friends for recommendations before calling someone out. When you do find someone you trust, always ask to see a Gas Safety Register ID card, and you can also check the companies status on the Gas Safe Register's website. This is great advice, and something I took on board when recently changed my boiler. I used SSE Home Services boiler installation - and I have to admit it looked pretty complicated, so I'm glad I left the professionals to it.

Gas safety for landlords...

I started thinking about this post when one of my friends recently asked me what the requirements were for a landlord regarding gas appliances and boilers. So I did a bit of research and it's all pretty straight forward but extremely important.

If you are the landlord of a property then there are a number of legal requirements that you must adhere to:

• You are wholly responsible for the gas safety of the property.
• Therefore you must maintain gas boilers and any other gas equipment to a satisfactory standard. This translates as an annual service of all the gas appliances including boiler servicing.
• It is absolutely imperative that you have a valid gas safety certificate in place.
• You need to ensure that you give your tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of its start date.
• It is also necessary for you to ensure that your tenants know how to turn off the gas in the event of a leak.

This is a simple guide to ensure that you are staying within the law when it comes to gas and your property. However if you are looking for any more information or a more in-depth guide then check out the Health and Safety Executive website.