How much does a chimney sweep cost?

A standard chimney sweep usually costs £60–£120 per flue, and HETAS puts the UK average for 2026 at around £72. Most landlords with one open fire or wood burner pay between £60 and £85 for a routine sweep. The price goes up if the sweep finds a blockage, heavy soot or a bird’s nest.

Typical chimney sweep prices

These are typical ranges from HETAS and UK price guides, not quotes. HETAS figures show a spread from about £60 in the East Midlands to about £82 in London.

What affects the price

• Type of appliance. A modern wood burner with a lined flue is usually quicker to sweep than a wide open fireplace.
• Condition of the flue. Heavy tar, soot or a nest takes longer and may need extra equipment.
• Number of flues. Most sweeps offer a discount for a second flue swept on the same visit.
• Access. Tall chimneys, awkward rooflines or stoves boxed in by furniture all add time.
• Location and season. Prices are higher in London and the South East, and sweeps get booked up in early autumn.

A very cheap quote is worth questioning. HETAS warns that an unusually low price can mean the sweep isn’t trained or insured.

How often to sweep

HETAS recommends:

Book the sweep just before the heating season starts. If you sweep twice a year, make the second visit after the peak of the heating season. A chimney that hasn’t been used for a long time should be swept before it is lit again, as nests and debris are common.

If your tenant uses the fire a lot, ask the sweep whether a shorter interval would be sensible. The sweep’s advice is a reasonable benchmark if anything later goes wrong.

The landlord’s legal position

There is no single law that says “sweep a rented chimney every X months”. But several rules apply.

• Keeping appliances safe. You are responsible for keeping the heating appliances and installations you provide in repair and safe to use. A blocked or tarred flue is a fire and carbon monoxide risk.
• Gas fires. If the chimney serves a gas appliance, the flue is part of the annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The engineer may ask for the chimney to be swept before they will pass it. See our gas safety certificate cost guide.
• Carbon monoxide alarms. The rules differ across the UK:

Once a tenant reports a faulty alarm in England, you must repair or replace it.

The certificate of sweeping

A good sweep will give you a certificate of chimney sweeping after each visit. It records the date, the appliance, the condition of the flue and any problems found. HETAS approved sweeps issue a HETAS certificate, which insurers and solicitors recognise.

For a landlord, the certificate is useful in three ways:

• it is evidence that you have kept the appliance safe if a tenant or the council raises a concern;
• some home and landlord insurance policies expect regular sweeping, so check your policy wording and keep the certificate in case of a claim;
• it helps when you sell the property.

Keep the certificate with your other safety records and give the tenant a copy.

Who to use

Use a sweep who is HETAS approved or a member of a recognised trade body such as the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps or the National Association of Chimney Sweeps. These members are trained, insured and issue a certificate. HETAS has a postcode search on its website. Ask for proof of insurance before you book.

Ways to keep the cost down

• Book early. Sweeps are busiest in September and October. Booking in late spring or summer is easier and sometimes cheaper.
• Sweep several flues or properties together. Ask for a discount for two flues or a small portfolio on the same day.
• Combine it with the gas check where the same visit timing works, so you only need to arrange tenant access once.
• Tell the tenant what to burn. Wet wood and household rubbish cause tar build-up, which means more expensive sweeps.
• Set a reminder. Use our free certificate reminders so the sweep is booked before the cold weather, and check what else is due with the landlord certificate checker.