Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what legal maintenance requirements apply to (a) wood-burning stoves, (b) open fireplaces, (c) gas appliances, and (d) chimneys on domestic premises.
Defra does not set legal maintenance requirements for solid fuel appliances; however, we do encourage homeowners/occupiers to carry out regular maintenance of wood-burning stoves and open fireplaces. We also encourage those that use solid fuel appliances to have their chimneys swept on a regular basis, our recommendation is at least once a year.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 impose a legal requirement on landlords of domestic premises to maintain all gas appliances provided for use by tenants in a safe condition. This legislation falls within the regulatory remit of the Health and Safety Executive. There are no legal maintenance requirements for gas appliances in owner-occupied domestic premises, but it is strongly advised that all gas appliances are regularly maintained and serviced at least annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.