Sweeping the chimney yourself – what applies?

As the legal owner of a property, you have the option of sweeping the chimney yourself. However, this requires that you have sufficient knowledge to sweep/clean the chimney yourself. A special application to sweep the chimney yourself, in which you prove your ability and know-how, must normally be submitted to the municipality before you can start sweeping. The municipal fire service then decides whether you can sweep the chimney yourself.

The application must include all systems you intend to sweep yourself. If you have other systems that are not included in the application, they will continue to be cleaned by the contractor procured by the municipality. Permission to sweep the chimney yourself applies only for as long as you remain the owner of the property. Accordingly, should the property change hands, it is important that you inform the new owner that you have swept the chimney yourself. The new owner then needs to contact the municipality’s appointed contractor or submit an application to sweep the chimney themselves.

Permission to sweep the chimney yourself applies only for as long as you remain the owner of the property. Accordingly, should the property change hands, it is important that you inform the new owner that you have swept the chimney yourself. The new owner then needs to contact the municipality’s appointed contractor or submit an application to sweep the chimney themselves.

Would you like to change chimney sweeping company?
If you are not satisfied with your local chimney sweeping company, the one appointed by the municipality, you can submit an application to change to another contractor. In such cases, you are responsible for ensuring that, at a minimum, the person taking over the chimney sweeping/cleaning:

• is a trained chimney sweep
• has the knowledge required to conduct the work
• is authorised by the local fire service.

Check new chimney sweeps!

Chimney sweeping services are sometimes offered over the phone. If you receive a call or advertising from someone claiming to be a chimney sweep, check that they really are the chimney sweeping contractor for the municipality. Chimney sweeping by unauthorised companies can prove expensive in both the short and the long term as there is a risk that your home insurance will be rendered invalid.

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