Specialist insurer Direct Line for Business is warning agents and landlords that while winter has so far been relatively mild, February – which starts next week – is historically the peak month for boiler problems. 

It says boiler repair claims are typically up 163 per cent in February compared to the monthly average. Last winter the insurer saw a 27 per cent increase in claims on broken-down boilers overall compared to the previous year. 

With the average malfunctioning boiler costing almost £1,200 to fix, the firm says agents and landlords should not be complacent. 

“[Agents and] landlords should make sure their properties have fully serviced boilers to help ensure their tenants don’t have heating issues. Landlords are legally responsible for securing a safety certificate for gas appliances each year and they also need to ensure the heating and hot water systems are maintained and functioning properly.”

The firm says agents and landlords should keep heating on low to avoid frozen pipes should temperatures drop suddenly, with insulation helping provide a longer-term solution. 

It also urges bleeding radiators to release air – an easy way to improve energy efficiency if a property is not as warm as it should be. 

Finally the firm urges regular boiler servicing and checking for warning signs such as leeks, cracks or noises.