Certificates · Updated 24 October 2026
Chimney sweep certificate: what it shows and what insurers ask for
A chimney sweep certificate is the written record your insurer, landlord or buyer's solicitor may ask to see. Here is what a good one contains, who issues it, and what to do if you have lost yours.
What a chimney sweep certificate shows
Formats differ by sweep and body, but HETAS's Chimney Sweeping Code and conditions of registration set out what a registered sweep checks and records. A useful certificate covers the fields below.
| Field | Example entry | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Property address | 12 Example Lane, Exampletown EX1 2MP | Should match the address on your insurance schedule. |
| Date of sweep | 1 October 2026 | Insurers look at the date against the interval in the policy. |
| Sweep and business | A. Sweep, Example Chimney Services | Named person and business, not just a mobile number. |
| Registration body and number | e.g. HETAS / Guild / NACS / APICS membership no. | Lets you check them on the live register. |
| Appliance and fuel | Wood-burning stove, logs | Which chimney or flue and what you burn in it. |
| Flue swept and method | Lined flue, swept by brush / power sweep | Each flue swept should be listed. |
| Condition and defects | e.g. light soot deposits, no defects found | Any concern must be recorded. |
| Smoke draw test | Pass | HETAS's code asks for a smoke draw test. |
| CO alarm and ventilation checked | CO alarm present and tested; air supply adequate | Checks HETAS's code draws from Approved Document J. |
| Recommendations and next sweep | Next sweep recommended: October 2027 | Use this to book the next visit. |
| Signature | Signed by the sweep |
Who issues chimney sweep certificates
- HETAS — registered sweep and service technicians must give the customer a sweeping (and, if relevant, servicing) certificate within 10 working days of the visit, and can only certify their own work (HETAS conditions of registration). Find one on the HETAS register.
- Guild of Master Sweeps — members are listed at findachimneysweep.co.uk.
- NACS (National Association of Chimney Sweeps) — find a NACS sweep.
- APICS (Association of Professional and Independent Chimney Sweeps) — apics.org.uk.
Many sweeps belong to more than one body. Our listings show the bodies the public register shows for each sweep.
Chimney sweep insurance: what insurers actually ask for
There is no single UK law requiring every chimney to hold a certificate. The requirement usually comes from your buildings or home insurance policy: policies covering solid-fuel appliances often expect regular sweeping by a competent person, and HETAS notes that your insurer may ask for the certificate if you ever claim. Read your own policy's wording for the interval and who counts as competent. Thatched homes often carry stricter conditions — see thatched homes.
Landlords, holiday lets and new installs
Letting agents and holiday-let insurers commonly want a current certificate on file; see the landlord chimney sweep certificate guide. A new stove install is different: it needs an installation certificate or building control sign-off, not a sweeping certificate.
How often and how much
You get a new certificate each sweep; how often depends on your fuel, use and policy (how often to sweep). HETAS's 2026 cost guide puts a standard sweep at about £60–£85 including its sweeping certificate. More on sweep costs.
Lost your certificate?
Ask the sweep for a copy first. If that fails, book a fresh sweep before your next claim or renewal, and keep a photo or PDF of the new certificate.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chimney sweep certificate?
A written record from the sweep of what was swept, when, by whom, the condition found and any tests or defects. HETAS-registered sweeps must provide one after every sweeping or servicing visit.
Does my home insurance need a chimney sweep certificate?
Many buildings and home insurance policies with a solid-fuel condition expect the chimney to be swept regularly by a competent person, and a dated certificate is the easiest proof if you claim. Check the wording of your own policy; there is no single UK-wide rule.
How often do I need a new certificate?
You get a new one each time the chimney is swept. Your policy, or the sweep's advice for your fuel and use, sets how often that is. See how often to sweep.
Who can issue a chimney sweep certificate?
Any sweep can write a receipt, but insurers and agents usually look for a certificate from a sweep on a recognised register: HETAS, the Guild of Master Sweeps, NACS or APICS. HETAS sweeps can only certify their own work.
How long does it take to get the certificate?
HETAS conditions of registration say the certificate must be provided within 10 working days of the visit. Many sweeps hand it over on the day.
How much does a sweep and certificate cost?
HETAS's 2026 consumer guide puts a standard sweep at around £60–£85, with the HETAS sweeping certificate included. Prices vary by area and job.
I have lost my chimney sweep certificate. What can I do?
Ask the sweep who did the work for a copy; registered businesses keep job records. If you cannot reach them, the simplest fix is to book a fresh sweep and keep the new certificate safe, ideally as a photo or PDF too.
Is a sweeping certificate the same as a HETAS installation certificate?
No. An installation certificate (or building control sign-off) covers fitting a stove or flue. A sweeping certificate covers a sweep visit. A sweep-only registration does not let a sweep self-certify installation work.