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Keeping your home warm and safe depends on both legal safety checks and regular maintenance. A gas safety check and a boiler service sound similar, but they are not the same. Knowing the difference helps you stay compliant, avoid breakdowns, and keep energy costs under control.
What is a Gas Safety Check?
A gas safety check is a legal requirement for UK landlords under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. It must be carried out annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, who inspects all gas appliances, flues, and visible pipework to ensure they are safe, correctly ventilated, and working at the right pressure. After a successful check, the landlord receives a Gas Safety Record (CP12), which must be shared with tenants within 28 days or before a new tenancy begins.
Homeowners are not legally required to book a gas safety check, but many choose to for peace of mind, especially if they have multiple gas appliances or have just moved in.
What is a Boiler Service?
A boiler service is a thorough maintenance visit focused on a single appliance: your boiler. A Gas Safe engineer will check for leaks and corrosion, clean and test key components, verify safety devices, and assess efficiency. Most boiler manufacturers recommend an annual service to maintain performance and to keep warranties valid.
Typical tasks in a boiler service
- Visual inspection, leak checks, and combustion checks
- Cleaning the burner, heat exchanger, and condensate trap
- Checking flue integrity and ventilation
- Testing safety controls and thermostats
- Efficiency checks and a service report with any advisories
The key differences at a glance
- Scope
Gas safety check: all gas appliances, flues, and visible pipework in the property.
Boiler service: just your boiler. - Purpose
Gas safety check: confirms legal safety and that appliances are safe to use.
Boiler service: maintains performance, prevents faults, improves efficiency, and can protect warranties. - Outcome
Gas safety check: Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) for landlords.
Boiler service: a service report with findings and recommendations. - Legal status
Gas safety check: legally required yearly for landlords.
Boiler service: strongly recommended yearly for all households; not a legal requirement.
Which do you need and when?
Landlords: You must arrange an annual gas safety check for your rental property. You should also book a boiler service to reduce breakdowns and tenant disruptions during winter.
Homeowners: You should book an annual boiler service to keep running costs down and spot issues early. Consider a gas safety check if you want a whole-property safety review or you have concerns about an appliance you seldom use.
Commercial: You should arrange regular boiler servicing and a gas safety inspection to keep your business operating safely and within legal requirements. Scheduling this before the busy winter season helps prevent costly breakdowns and avoids disruption for staff and customers.
Signs you should book a visit soon
- Pilot light keeps going out or boiler frequently locks out
- Unusual noises, hot metal or burning smells, or scorch marks near the boiler or on the flue
- Higher gas bills without a change in usage
- Slow heating or lukewarm radiators and taps
- Carbon monoxide alarm activates or shows a fault
If you notice any of the above, stop using the appliance and contact a Gas Safe engineer.
How 24/7 Best Emergency Services can help
We provide heating and gas services handled by fully qualified Gas Safe engineers, including boiler repairs, boiler installation, boiler servicing, central heating services, hot water cylinders, and thermostat issues.
Fast response when you need it
For urgent problems, we aim to arrive within about 30 minutes in many areas, with availability day and night. You will get a swift assessment and clear next steps.
What a boiler service with us includes
- Full visual and safety checks
- Cleaning of critical internal components
- Efficiency tests and a clear service report
- Advice on parts that may need attention soon
We also run seasonal offers on servicing from time to time so homeowners can prepare for colder months cost-effectively.
If we find a fault
Our engineers carry out diagnostics and safe repairs wherever possible during the same visit. If the boiler is beyond economical repair, we can advise on replacement options and arrange installation that meets current safety standards.
Coverage
We operate across the UK, serving major cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow etc, so you can get a nearby engineer quickly.
Booking the right visit
- Book a gas safety check if you are a landlord or you want a whole-property safety confirmation.
- Book a boiler service every year to keep your boiler efficient, reliable, and within warranty terms.
- Call for an emergency visit if you smell gas, your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, you have persistent boiler lockouts, or you lose heating or hot water unexpectedly.
For fast help from a Gas Safe registered engineer, contact 24/7 Best Emergency Services for same-day support and an appointment time that suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a gas safety check the same as a boiler service?
No. A gas safety check is a legal, whole-property safety inspection of gas appliances, flues, and visible pipework. A boiler service is maintenance on the boiler itself.
How often should I book each?
Landlords: gas safety check every 12 months. Everyone: boiler service once a year, ideally before winter.
Will a boiler service improve efficiency?
A clean, well-tuned boiler generally runs more efficiently and reliably. Servicing also helps spot early issues that could lead to breakdowns.
Do you offer emergency callouts?
Yes. For many areas we aim to attend within about 30 minutes.
What if my boiler needs replacing?
We can advise on models and install a new boiler that meets current standards, with safe commissioning and documentation. You can learn more on this article about repairing vs replacing a boiler.