Central Heating (CV)

The Heart of Your Home's Comfort

Centrale verwarming (CV), or central heating, is the standard heating system in almost all Dutch homes. The system distributes hot water from a central boiler, the CV-ketel, through a network of pipes to radiators in every room, providing both warmth and hot tap water. The presence of a functioning central heating system is considered an essential feature of a rental property.

The CV-ketel is a complex piece of machinery that requires regular professional maintenance. This responsibility lies squarely with the landlord. The landlord is legally obligated to ensure the heating system is safe and functional. This typically includes a mandatory service or inspection every one to two years by a certified technician. This regular check-up is not just for efficiency; it's a critical safety measure to prevent issues like carbon monoxide leaks.

Your Responsibilities as a Tenant

While the landlord is responsible for the major annual maintenance, the tenant is responsible for minor, day-to-day tasks. This includes:

• Checking the water pressure: The pressure gauge on the CV-ketel should typically be between 1.5 and 2.0 bar. If it's too low, the system may not work efficiently. You may be expected to top up the water (bijvullen) yourself, a simple procedure for which the landlord should provide instructions.
• Bleeding the radiators (ontluchten): If you hear gurgling noises or a radiator isn't heating up properly, it may have air trapped inside. Bleeding the radiators with a special key is usually considered a tenant's task.

If the heating system breaks down completely (storing), you must report it to your landlord immediately. A complete loss of heating, especially in winter, is considered an 'urgent defect' (spoedeisend gebrek), and the landlord is obligated to arrange a repair as quickly as possible.