Tenants’ lives can be spared if the electrical systems in their rental residences are protected from shocks and fires. Landlords who fail to follow electrical safety laws may risk fines and other penalties. On the other hand, landlords can rest easy knowing that their homes are electrically safe by taking a few simple actions, such as obtaining a
Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate and executing the appropriate inspections.
Reasons for its Extreme Importance
According to the
Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate, electrical faults cause over half of all home fires in the United Kingdom, resulting in 350,000 injuries and 70 fatalities annually. Disregarding electrical safety laws can cause serious injury or even death to individuals and property. While some of these disasters might attribute to irresponsible use of appliances or the power system. Many others can attribute to poor maintenance and a disregard for electrical safety.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informative purposes only and is not a legal or research source. For more information, go to the
Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate page or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
Landlord’s Functions
The tenant is solely responsible for appliance and electrical safety. Private landlords in London must have a licensed electrician assess each rental property’s electrical system by June 1, 2022. This is a requirement for all new tenants before they may move in. Then, every five years after that, as long as the tenancy hasn’t changed. The new renters must given an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
According to the Defective Premises Act of 1972, landlords have additional legal responsibilities in the case of HMOs (houses in multiple occupations). Which states that landlords must provide certain duties of care to tenants to prevent personal injury or property damage due to flaws in the residence. The electrical wiring system, as well as any furnished appliances. Such as stoves and kettles, are the landlord’s responsibility (including fittings and fixtures). For a
Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate, all these components must perform properly and keep up to date.
Section 21 Warnings
If the local council has served a landlord an improvement notice. They cannot utilize a section 21
notice as of October 1, 2015. However, landlord harassment in the form of threats to use such a notice still exists. It is illegal for a landlord to serve one in response to a tenant’s complaint about needed repairs.
Noncompliance: Harmful Consequences
Landlords who violate the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 legal risk action. Cancellation of their insurance, fines of up to £30,000, and potentially jail time.
The Procedure
Landlords are provided with an electrical installation condition report (EICR) to demonstrate whether. Or not the electrical installation meets the standards outlined in the appropriate code (further information about EICRs can find here). The electrician will inspect and test the property’s fixed electrical equipment. Such as outlets and showers, and remedy any immediate safety concerns that are discovered. No portable appliances (PAT) testing, including but not limited to white goods and televisions. Will under take unless specifically requested by the landlord.
Certification
A copy of the EICR London issued following the inspection must supply to the tenant within four weeks of its completion. Tenants should also ask their landlords for proof that the unit complies with BS 7671. The mandatory building code in the United Kingdom. A written confirmation of the completion of any necessary repairs must submit. To the Local Authority and the tenant within 28 days after the inspection.
If you have any questions, consult an expert
It would help if you never attempted to repair an electrical problem unless you have the necessary skills and experience. Landlords could only engage PRS-registered, fully-qualified electricians. To conduct electrical work in rental homes after revising the Building Regulations in 2005.
To ensure that your electrician has met the necessary standards, consult the
Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate. It is also strongly encouraged to utilize RCDs (residual current devices) to protect electrical circuits in your home. London Property Inspections contains a rewire pricing calculator and other useful resources. Including extra information on locating a local electrician in London.
