Electrical Guidance for Landlords

As the number of people becoming Landlords soars, research from the Electrical Safety Council has found that misunderstandings between Landlords and Tenants over responsibilities for safety are exposing many people to life-threatening electrical dangers. The ESC is concerned that the rise in inexperienced Landlords - many of whom are finding it easier to rent out their property than sell it - will further compromise safety. The consequences for not understanding obligations can be serious. If a Landlord is found to be negligent over electrical safety it can lead to fines or even imprisonment. Our guidance for landlords outlines the simple steps you can take to ensure the electrical safety of your properties.

Landlords are responsible for making sure the electrical installation is safe in a property.

This responsibility applies at the start of a tenancy and the property must be maintained in a safe condition throughout its duration. You should carry out basic visual checks to ensure that the installation has no hazards, including broken accessories (such as sockets and light switches), signs of scorching around sockets due to overloading, damaged cables to portable equipment or trailing cables/flexes.

Have a regular periodic inspection and test carried out on the property.

If you own a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you have a legal obligation to have a periodic inspection carried out on your property every five years. If your property is not an HMO, you are not legally obliged to get your installation inspected and tested on a periodic basis. However, the ESC recommends that a periodic inspection and test is carried out by a registered electrician on your rental properties at intervals not exceeding five years, or on a change of tenancy. They will then issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which details any damage, deterioration, defects or conditions within the installation that give rise, or potentially give rise, to danger.

Make sure that your property has adequate RCD protection.

Since 2008 the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671, has called for almost all electrical circuits installed in homes to be RCD protected. An RCD is a life-saving device which protects against dangerous electric shock and reduces the risk of electrical fires.

Use a registered electrician for any work on your property.

By choosing a registered electrician, you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing the work is being done to the UK National Standard, BS 7671.

Carry out Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) on appliances provided as part of the rental agreement.

As a landlord you are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that the appliances you provide are safe. Portable Appliance Testing is one way of doing this and it should be carried out before every new tenancy.

Download the ESC's 'Home Electrical Safety Check' smartphone App.

The ESC's free smartphone App makes it easy for you to carry out a fast and effective review of your properties and fulfil your responsibility for Tenant safety.  Visit the Android Market or App Store and search for ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’.

Please visit the ESC website for more details http://www.esc.org.uk/public/guides-and-advice/guidance-for-landlords/