My boiler won't fire up at all, what should I do?

Direct answer

A boiler that won't fire up at all is treated as an emergency. You lose heating and hot water at the same time, and that is a real risk to your health, especially if you have a baby, an older person, or anyone unwell at home. Your landlord must arrange an emergency repair. If they will not act, the council and we can step in. Call us free on 0800 030 4669.

Key facts

• The 2024 to 2025 English Housing Survey found about 2% of homes in England had excess cold as a category 1 (most serious) hazard, rising to 3% of privately rented homes. English Housing Survey 2024-25, GOV.UK
• The same survey found about 9% of homes in England, around 2.3 million, had a category 1 (most serious) hazard under the HHSRS. In the private rented sector the figure was 10%. English Housing Survey 2024-25, GOV.UK

What to check before you call

There are two safe things you can check yourself, no tools needed.

• Is the boiler pressure gauge below 1 bar? If yes, the boiler may have locked out. Some tenancies allow you to top up; many don't. Read your handbook before touching anything.
• Is there a red light, an error code on the display, or no display at all? Note exactly what it says.

Do not open the boiler casing. Do not press reset more than twice. If neither check helps, stop and report.

Report it as an emergency

1. Call your landlord's emergency repair line. Most have an out-of-hours number.
2. Say the exact words: "No heating and no hot water." That phrase puts it in the emergency category.
3. Send a written message the same day, by email, app or text, so there is a paper trail.
4. Mention anyone in the home who is vulnerable: babies, older people, anyone with a long-term condition.

If you are a council or housing-association tenant, Awaab's Law gives your landlord 24 hours to make the hazard safe. See what is Awaab's Law in plain English.

Your landlord's duty

Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must keep the boiler and central heating in working order. That duty does not pause because it is a weekend or a bank holiday. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, the engineer who attends must be Gas Safe registered.

If your landlord ignores it

• Call your council's environmental health team and report it as an emergency.
• If you are unsafe, ask the police to attend, especially if there is a smell of gas.
• Keep every message and missed-call log. This is the evidence we use later.

See how long can a landlord leave you without heating for the deadlines that apply.

What it costs you to live like this

While the boiler is broken you are paying for heating you don't have, or running expensive plug-in heaters, or going to a relative's house to wash. Keep receipts. If you have a disrepair claim, those costs can be part of it.

How we can help

If your landlord has dragged out a broken boiler for weeks, or it keeps breaking and they keep patching it, you may have a strong claim. Call us free on 0800 030 4669.

Free call: 0800 030 4669 | Start your claim

Sources

• Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Awaab's Law: guidance for social landlords (GOV.UK)
• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (legislation.gov.uk)