Electrical Safety

 

By law, landlords must ensure that the electrical system and any electrical appliances supplied with the let, e.g. cookers, kettles, toasters, washing machines, etc., are safe to use.

You should ensure that tenants are given copies of operating and safety manuals for ALL equipment on the property, and you should carry out regular checks.

There is currently no statutory requirement to carry out annual safety checks on electrical installations. However, there are statutory requirements for electrical tests in houses in multiple occupation (HMO) and mains must be tested every five years. Licenced HMOs may carry specific requirements for testing set out in the licence document.

Guidance for Landlords

It is important to ensure that all electrical appliances and fittings within the property are safe and in good working order. Unlike gas regulations, there is no law that says you must have an electrical safety certificate. However, should any electrical fittings or appliances within the property cause harm to a tenant, you could be held liable. It is strongly advisable to have the equipment checked before the start of each let. It would be good practice to have the equipment checked at regular intervals thereafter. You should obtain and retain test reports detailing the equipment, the tests carried out and the results.

You should ensure that the electricity supply complies with the latest wiring regulations. We would recommend that a circuit breaker (RCD) is fitted to power circuits, that you avoid supplying numerous appliances and ensure that any appliances supplied are in good working order (retain receipts) and any flexes are in good condition and property attached to the appliance and plug. Always have any second hand equipment checked. You should ensure that any operation instructions and safety warnings are supplied with the appliances. You should also check that earth tags are in place and that plugs are of an approved type with sleeved live and neutral pins and plugs and sockets conform to BS1363, or BS1363/A for heavy duty uses. Check that all fuses are of the correct type and rating. Ensure that the tenants are made aware of the location of the main consumer unit, fuses and isolator switch.

If you are in any doubt about the wiring or the safety of any appliances, you should consult a qualified electrician.

In 2005, new legislation under Part P of the Building Regulations made it a requirement that certain types of electrical work in dwellings, plus garages, sheds, greenhouses and outbuildings comply with the standards. This means that a competent electrician must carry out the work. For do it yourself, electrical work, you must belong to one of the Government's approved Competent Person Self-Certification schemes or submit a building notice to the local authority before carrying out the work.

This service is currently available only to properties within the M25
 

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