Woodburners

[norfolkcottages]

Does anyone know if you need to have a Hetas Certificate for a woodburner in a holiday cottage that has been installed for a while? Do you need one for insurance purposes?

[joyful]

I have mine swept every year to comply with leg. Fortunately my chimney sweeper is an expert of legislative matters chimney wise.

[sue56]

I have not heard of these certificates. I have just had my first quality assessment and the assessor did not mention a Hetas Certificate to me.
What he did say though was I needed a fire guard, which is bizarre as its not an open fire, but a wood burning stove with a closed door.

[Schofields]

"Do you need one for insurance purposes?"

That's something you would have to check with your insurer as terms and conditions differ.

[ajeraclegg]

I understood from the supplier and installer of our own home woodburner that a Heatas certificate had to be issued by the installer. When refurbishing our holiday let, we took advice and decided not to install a wood burner because a local supplier here in Cornwall told us that many stoves in self catering cottages are cracked right through by holiday makers who forget to close of the vents and they overheat. Since then we have met a cottage owner where this actually happened so we are glad we went for a clean heating option. They may look a great idea for city folk coming on holiday but if they don't follow the instructions or can't be bothered to clean them out properly, then it is the owner and owner's insurance that has to sort out the problems.
Ann Clegg, Penhayl Cottage Lelant

[dianawhitby@hotmail.com]

Regarding fires in general; Even with a supply of hardwood logs, guests often collect woodworm-chewed logs during walks in the country and leave them in the hearth. Yet another 'please do not' instruction to add to my cottage terms and conditions.