Boiler service or gas safety check: what is the difference

What is actually going on with the service and safety check distinction

The safety check element covers things like flue flow, ventilation, gas tightness and appliance stability, and results in the certificate landlords are required to hold. A service adds cleaning, adjustment and wear-part inspection on top of that safety element, which is why many engineers carry out both together in a single visit rather than treating them as separate jobs.

Key points on the service and safety check distinction

• A safety check confirms the appliance is safe to continue using
• A service includes cleaning, adjustment and wear checks beyond that
• Landlords need the safety check element carried out annually
• Combining both in one visit is common practice and more efficient
• Only the safety check element generates the CP12 style record

Questions we get asked

Does a safety check replace a service?

No — it is narrower in scope. A service includes the safety checks plus maintenance work that a bare safety check does not require.

Which one do landlords legally need?

The safety check element, though most engineers combine it with a full service so the appliance is also maintained, not just confirmed safe on the day.

Where we deal with this

• Frome (BA11) · 7 mi
• Westbury (Wiltshire) (BA13) · 13 mi
• Lansdown (BA1) · 9 mi
• Twerton (BA2) · 7 mi