First of all, it is important to say that chimney sweeping is a preventive maintenance measure aimed at ensuring the safety of the occupants of a home. Poorly maintained chimney flues, or ones that are not maintained at all, accumulate deposits of soot and creosote, which are highly flammable substances and thus a cause of house fires. A poorly controlled chimney fire can quickly spread throughout the home and cause significant material damage, or even endanger the lives of the occupants of the home. In addition, a blocked flue prevents the proper evacuation of combustion gases. This can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, an odourless but deadly gas that we often hear about in the news. Regular maintenance therefore helps prevent these risks of accidents by ensuring optimal operation of the exhaust flue.
A direct impact on energy efficiency
Beyond the safety aspect, chimney sweeping also has a beneficial effect on the energy performance of your heating system. A clean chimney promotes better air circulation and more efficient combustion of wood, pellets, etc. By optimising the draft, you allow for a more uniform heat production and reduce your fuel consumption, which translates into savings on your energy bill. An additional benefit: a more complete combustion limits the emissions of polluting particles and thus contributes to greater respect for the environment. In short, by regularly maintaining your chimney, you are also acting in favour of more responsible energy consumption.
Unlike other countries such as France, Germany or Belgium, there is no specific national law in Luxembourg that makes chimney sweeping compulsory. However, municipalities have the power to regulate this practice, and some stipulate mandatory chimney sweeping frequencies.
Municipal obligations: a variable framework
All municipalities in Luxembourg are free to establish their own rules regarding chimney sweeping, which results in differences depending on your place of residence. Some stipulate annual or biannual chimney sweeping, while others have no specific regulations. For example, in the City of Luxembourg, a chimney sweep is compulsory at least once a year for chimneys connected to stoves that burn solid fuels such as wood, coal or pellets. Given this diversity of regulations, we strongly recommend that you refer to the general policy regulations of your municipality to ensure that your installation complies with local requirements regarding chimney maintenance.
Is it mandatory to have a chimney sweeping certificate?
This chimney sweeping certificate is not systematically required by Luxembourg law. However, your insurer may ask you to present it in the event of a claim related to a chimney problem. Some municipalities also require the presentation of a certificate issued by an approved professional during inspections. This document constitutes official proof of the proper maintenance of your chimney and can avoid complications in the event of a dispute. We therefore strongly advise you to keep a copy after each intervention.
Who is responsible for chimney sweeping?
When it comes to chimney sweeping, the responsibility may lie with the owner or the tenant, depending on the nature of the accommodation and the terms of the rental agreement. As a general rule, it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure the maintenance of the fixed equipment in the accommodation, including chimney flues. However, if you are renting your accommodation, you are generally required to have the chimney swept if you are responsible for using the chimney.
Lease agreements often specify this obligation and it is therefore essential to check what is written there. Note that in some apartment buildings, the sweeping of collective conduits is frequently managed by the co-ownership or the trustee, while individual conduits remain the responsibility of the resident concerned.
Beyond the risks of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning that we mentioned previously, failure to comply with legal chimney sweeping obligations can also lead to financial and administrative consequences.
Local fines and sanctions
The authorities in your municipality may carry out checks to verify that you have had the chimney swept. They may therefore require you to provide proof of maintenance, in particular in the form of a certificate issued by an approved professional. If you fail to comply with this obligation, you may be subject to an administrative fine. In addition, the authorities may impose a compliance injunction, requiring you, as the owner, to carry out the chimney sweeping within a given period, failing which additional penalties may be imposed.
The impact on your home insurance
Insurance companies may include a specific clause relating to chimney sweeping in their home insurance contracts. To avoid any dispute, we strongly recommend that you keep the chimney sweep certificate issued by the professional you have used. This document can be presented to your insurer if necessary in order to prove that the maintenance has been properly conducted.
Chimney sweeping is an essential operation to ensure the efficiency of your chimney and the safety of your home. Although no national law requires it, some Luxembourg municipalities have made it mandatory. It is therefore essential to inquire with your municipality and comply with the applicable obligations.
No, there is no national law that makes it mandatory, but some municipalities stipulate that you must have your chimney swept regularly by a professional.
Generally, it is mandatory to maintain chimney flues once a year in the case of solid fuels, but it depends on the applicable regulations in your municipality.
Even in the absence of a legal obligation, it is recommended to have your chimney swept at least once a year to ensure its proper functioning and limit the risks of fire or poisoning. If the chimney is used intensively, particularly in winter, you would be well advised to have it swept twice a year.
Call a certified professional! This is the recommended solution to ensure the chimney sweeping complies with the requirements of your insurance and local authorities.
We advise you to request a chimney sweeping certificate, which may be required by your insurer in the event of a claim.
Some insurance companies require regular chimney sweeping to ensure coverage in the event of a claim. We therefore recommend that you check your home insurance policy to find out the specific obligations imposed by your insurer. A lack of maintenance could result in a refusal of compensation in the event of a fire or damage caused by a clogged flue.
You risk a local fine and a potential refusal of compensation by your insurance in the event of a fire.