Furthermore, 20% of all electrical shock victims are tenants in the private rented sector, despite these individuals making up just 16% of the UK population, showing that tenants face a significantly higher risk than owner-occupants.
Electrical Safety First has recently called for five-yearly mandatory electrical safety checks in rented accommodation. These electrical safety checks are already in place in Scotland, but according to Electrical Safety First, people in Northern Ireland, England and Wales could move into a house or flat that has never had an electrical safety check, despite the fact that landlords must renew gas safety certificates every year.
Each year, there are many cases of landlords being prosecuted for being in breaching safety regulations. Once recent case involved a landlord who was fined £15,000 for 12 safety and welfare offences (November 2015). A landlord in Yorkshire repeatedly failed to carry out upgrade works relating to fire safety, heating and kitchen facilities at the large bedsit property in Leeds. In the course of council inspections over several years, the landlord failed to to produce certification relating to the electrical safety of the property.
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations have been mandatory since 1st January 1997. They state that all electrical appliances with let accommodation must be safe. This applies to both new and second-hand appliances and covers all electrical items supplied for the intended use of the tenant. The regulations also cover fixed appliances such as cookers etc.
Whilst there is currently no statutory requirement to have annual safety checks on electrical equipment you may be liable if the electrical equipment or electrical system are not safe. LetRisks has put together some guidelines for agents and landlords on electrical safety:
• Ensure that tenants are given copies of instruction manuals and safety instructions for all electrical equipment in the rented property.
• Carry out visual inspections at least annually and at change of tenancy to ensure that the appliances and fittings are safe and in good working order, including the state of the flexes and plugs.
• Keep a record and safety checklist of these inspections, and diary reminders for future inspections.
• Keep receipts of electrical items that you buy and install in the rented property
• Make sure that tenants know the location where the main fuses and isolator switch are located.
• Include details of electrical items and fuse ratings on the inventory, and when they were last inspected.
• Consider using a qualified electrician to undertake Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).
• If in doubt or you are unable to do the inspections, use a qualified electrician.
Michael Portman, Managing Director of LetRisks comments:
“Electrical safety regulations should be enhanced to further protect the safety of tenants. Landlords have a legal obligation and a duty of care to tenants to ensure that the electrical installation and the electrical equipment supplied is safe, at both the start and during the tenancy.
“It’s also vital that landlords and agents arrange appropriate insurances, for both the structure of the building (that includes fixtures and fittings) and contents. The insurance needs to be suitable for let property and include Property Owners Liability. Even if you are letting an unfurnished flat, we recommend that you arrange cover for limited contents (covering carpets, curtains, and white goods) which will also come with cover for liability to the public and injury to tenants.”
