Boiler condemned? What your options are now
If a Gas Safe registered engineer has condemned your boiler, do not turn it back on. Get it made safe first, then get a free call back to set up cover for whatever boiler you have next.
What does it mean when a boiler is condemned?
If your boiler has been condemned, a Gas Safe registered engineer has judged it unsafe and labelled it either At Risk or Immediately Dangerous. Do not use it or turn it back on. Your next step is a repair where one is allowed, a second opinion, or arranging a replacement. Never attempt a gas repair yourself.
"Condemned" is the everyday word for it, but engineers use two formal classifications under the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure: At Risk (AR) and Immediately Dangerous (ID). Both carry the same warning label, "Danger Do Not Use". Which one applies decides whether the boiler can be repaired and put back into use, or whether it's got to stay off until it's made safe or replaced.
The safest thing right now is to leave it off until a Gas Safe registered engineer has repaired and re-checked it. If you ever smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, do not wait: call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, open windows, turn the gas off at the meter if it's safe to reach, and leave the property.
What is the difference between At Risk and Immediately Dangerous?
| Classification | What it means | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| At Risk (AR) | One or more recognised faults exist that, if the boiler is used, may in future become a danger to life or property. | Labelled "Danger Do Not Use" and, with your permission, turned off until it is repaired and re-checked. |
| Immediately Dangerous (ID) | The boiler is an immediate danger to life or property if it is operated or left connected to the gas supply. | Labelled "Danger Do Not Use" and disconnected with your permission. If permission is refused, the engineer notifies the emergency service provider so they can attend and disconnect it. |
Can you get a second opinion on a condemned boiler?
Yes. If you are unsure about the verdict, you are entitled to ask another Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect the boiler. A second opinion can confirm the classification and tell you whether the fault is repairable or whether replacement is the safer, more cost-effective route.
Do not turn the boiler back on in the meantime, and always check any engineer is on the Gas Safe Register before they work on your gas. A dangerous appliance is always a job for a Gas Safe registered engineer, never a DIY fix.
Can an At Risk boiler be repaired?
Sometimes. An appliance marked At Risk has a fault that could become dangerous, and in many cases a Gas Safe registered engineer can repair it and re-check it so it can be used safely again. An Immediately Dangerous boiler is a danger to life right now and must stay off until it's either made safe or replaced. Whether a repair is worthwhile depends on the fault, the age of the boiler and the cost of putting it right.
A cover plan can't help with the fault that got the boiler condemned: a fault that exists before a plan starts is not covered, and defects an engineer has already identified are excluded until they are put right. Use a Gas Safe registered engineer to assess the repair and tell you what is needed before any work goes ahead.
Once the boiler is safe and working again, and if you'd rather spread the cost of future repairs, a Smart Plan cover plan covers parts and labour up to a yearly limit: up to £500 while a boiler is under 7 years old, or up to £200 once it's 7 or older, with call-outs Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00 under your plan. A service plan, not insurance. Cover has limits, though, and it doesn't pay for a whole new boiler. If your boiler keeps failing, our guide on whether to repair or replace can help you weigh it up.
What does replacing a condemned boiler involve?
If the boiler cannot be repaired safely, the next step is a replacement fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. That usually means a survey to size the right boiler, removing the old unit, fitting and commissioning the new one, and registering the installation for Building Regulations. Get quotes from Gas Safe registered installers so you can compare.
Replacing a condemned boiler costs more than a repair, and the final price depends on the boiler you choose, the type of system and how much work the swap involves, so there's no single figure. Our guide to UK boiler cost statistics sets out typical UK ranges to help you budget.
A cover plan is different from a replacement. It spreads the cost of repairs up to a yearly limit and doesn't pay for a brand-new boiler. Once your new boiler is in, you can keep it looked after with a cover plan. Smart Plan is a service plan, not insurance, from UK Boiler Company Ltd.
Last updated: July 2026.
The dos and don'ts of a condemned boiler
Keep it safe while you decide what to do next.
- Do keep the boiler switched off and unused until a Gas Safe registered engineer has repaired and re-checked it.
- Do ask the engineer to explain whether it's At Risk or Immediately Dangerous, and to leave you the paperwork.
- Do get a second opinion from another Gas Safe registered engineer if you want one before deciding.
- Do report it to your landlord in writing straight away if you rent, because the repair is their responsibility.
- Don't turn the boiler back on or try to override the disconnection.
- Don't attempt any gas repair yourself, or let anyone who is not Gas Safe registered touch it.
- Don't ignore the warning label: an Immediately Dangerous appliance is a danger to life.
- If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, don't wait: call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Boiler condemned? Talk it through
A cover plan is for the next breakdown, not a fault you already have today. Get a free call back to set up cover for next time. We aim to call you back within one working day, Monday to Friday, 08:00-18:00. It's a service plan, not insurance.
Condemned boiler FAQs
Is "condemned" the official term for an unsafe boiler?
Not exactly. Engineers classify an unsafe appliance as At Risk (AR) or Immediately Dangerous (ID) under the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure, and "condemned" is the everyday word for it. Both classifications carry the same "Danger Do Not Use" warning label.
What is the difference between At Risk and Immediately Dangerous?
An At Risk boiler has one or more faults that may become a danger to life or property if it is used. An Immediately Dangerous boiler is an immediate danger to life or property if operated or left connected to the gas supply, so it must be disconnected and stay off.
Can I turn a condemned boiler back on?
No. If an engineer has classified it At Risk or Immediately Dangerous and labelled it "Danger Do Not Use", it must stay off until it is repaired and re-checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, call 0800 111 999 straight away.
Who pays to fix a condemned boiler if I'm renting?
Your landlord. Landlords have a legal duty to keep gas appliances safe and to hold an annual CP12 gas safety record, so arranging the repair or replacement of a condemned boiler is their responsibility, not the tenant's. Report it to them in writing straight away.
Does a cover plan pay for a new boiler?
No. A Smart Plan cover plan pays parts and labour for repairs up to a yearly limit, up to £500 while a boiler is under 7 years old and up to £200 once it's 7 or older, not the cost of a full replacement. A £95 call-out fee applies in defined cases, and a 12-month agreement period begins once you use a service.
How much does it cost to replace a condemned boiler?
It depends on the boiler you choose, the type of system and how much work the swap involves, so there's no single price. Our guide to UK boiler cost statistics sets out typical UK ranges to help you budget. A cover plan is different: it spreads the cost of repairs up to a yearly limit and doesn't pay for a full replacement.
How quickly can a new boiler be fitted?
A straightforward swap is often completed in a day once it's booked, while a more involved job or a full system change can take longer. It also depends on the installer, your home and demand, and summer is usually a quieter, easier time to book than mid-winter. Ask your installer for a date when they quote.
A service plan, not insurance. Nothing is paid online.
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