Are annual boiler checks required at French second home?
Boilers are usually checked in summer before they are turned on for colder months
Checks must be carried out by a registered professional (a chauffagiste) who provides a certificate proving the test has been carried out
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Reader Question: We visit our second home in the south of France mainly between April - October, with the heating very rarely turned on. Do we need annual boiler checks, is it a legal requirement?
French law requires all boilers (chaudières) of a size between 4kw and 400kw (covering most home boilers) be checked annually.
This applies to all boiler types using gas, wood or oil, it does not apply to electrical systems used only to heat up water and not homes (called chauffe-eau systems).
Heat pumps must be checked every two years if they have a power of between 4 and 70 kw, and every five years if above 70kw.
The checks must be carried out by a registered professional (a chauffagiste) who provides a certificate proving the test has been carried out.
Alongside checking for faults, they also provide maintenance and cleaning for the boiler.
Costs vary according to the boiler type, but range from €100 for traditional boilers up to €300 for heat pumps.
Are second homes included in requirement?
There is no exemption for any property types, including second homes, which also fall under the rules.
For rental properties, the tenancy agreement will stipulate whether it is the tenant’s or landlord’s obligation to arrange the checks.
For block of flats with shared heating systems, checks of the main heating system for the building will be organised by the property management company, with fees included in the building charges. Contact the syndic for more information about this if relevant.
Note that although there is a legal obligation, the French government does not issue fines for not complying with the rule.
Boilers that are not regularly maintained are at higher risk of faults, including potentially lethal issues such as causing carbon monoxide poisoning, and are more energy inefficient.
Also, insurance companies may not cover damage caused by boilers if there is no evidence it has been serviced in line with legal obligations.
Even if you do not typically visit your property during the season when the heating is turned on, you should still therefore get the boiler checked.
Checks usually occur between April and September, before systems are turned on, so you can arrange it during one of your visits.
