Boiler Maintenance

Keeping the Heat On Safely

The CV-ketel (central heating boiler) is the heart of most Dutch homes, providing both heating and hot water. Given that it is a gas-burning appliance, its proper maintenance is a matter of both efficiency and critical safety. The division of responsibility is clear: major, periodic maintenance is the landlord's duty, while minor, day-to-day tasks fall to the tenant.

Landlord's Responsibility: Major Servicing

The landlord is legally obligated to ensure the CV-ketel is safe and functions correctly. This includes arranging for a certified technician (gecertificeerde monteur) to perform a full service and safety inspection, typically once every two years. This service involves cleaning the internal components, checking for gas leaks, and ensuring efficient combustion. The landlord pays for this service, though the cost may be passed on to the tenant if a specific 'maintenance subscription' is agreed upon in the service charges.

Tenant's Responsibility: Minor Upkeep

The tenant's duties are limited to simple, non-technical tasks that do not require opening the boiler's casing. The most common task is checking and refilling the water pressure (waterdruk bijvullen), which should typically be between 1.5 and 2.0 bar. If the pressure drops too low, the heating system will shut down. This is a simple task that tenants are expected to perform themselves. A complete failure of the heating system or hot water, however, is considered a serious defect that the landlord must fix urgently.