As a landlord, you are responsible for ensuring your tenants’ safety. One essential part of this is electrical safety, with electrical accidents sometimes leading to devastating consequences. To reduce the possibility of these dangers, you should acquire an Electrical Safety Certificate.
What is an Electrical Safety Certificate?
An Electrical Safety Certificate is a legal document issued by a licensed electrician, certifying a property’s electrical installations are safe and comply with current regulations. It checks for hazards like faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and damaged appliances.
After testing any property and determining it to be electrically safe, a certificate is issued that is valid for five years from the initial testing date.
You may also refer to these as electrical safety checks or landlord safety certificates.
Why Does The Landlord Need An Electrical Safety Certificate?
For several reasons, landlords in the UK are legally bound to obtain an Electrical Safety Certificate.
Tenant Safety
● Preventing Accidents: When electrical systems are faulty, it can lead to dangerous accidents such as electric shocks and fire
● Protecting Health: Incorrect electrical installations may jeopardise the health of tenants
Legal Compliance
● Meeting Regulations: The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 mandate landlords to ensure electrical safety
● Avoiding Penalties: Failure to observe these regulations leads to heavy penalties
Property Value
● Attracting Tenants: A house with a valid electrical safety certificate attracts tenants since it demonstrates a commitment towards safety and maintenance
● Facilitating Sales: A safe electrical system can boost the value of the property and make selling it easier
What Does An Electrical Safety Check Involve?
This safety check covers the entire fixed electrical installation of a domestic property. It includes:
● Light fittings and associated switches
● Plug sockets that include personal shaving sockets
● All wired connections are internal and external
● The main consumer unit (fuse box) and any residual current devices will also be inspected
● Permanently connected electrical equipment includes solar panels, shower pumps, storage heaters, etc
The electrician should consider the age, condition, and suitability of all aspects of your electrical installation when deciding what is safe and what is not. Older installations are exempt from complying with the latest edition of the wiring regulations but must be considered secure.
Electrical safety tests do not apply to non-fixed electrics. You will need an electrician to test them at least once a year, a process known as portable appliance testing (PAT test).
What Happens If Landlords Don’t Comply With These Regulations?
Suppose a landlord fails to receive a satisfactory electrical installation safety report for the property, carry out the necessary remedial work, or investigate within the required timeframe. In that case, the local housing authority serves a remedial notice, giving the landlord 28 days to act.
If the landlord does not take action, the local housing authority can arrange for an authorised person to undertake the required remedial work, subject to the tenant’s agreement. The costs of the work can be recovered from the landlord. In addition, they can also impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000.
How To Get An Electrical Safety Certificate?
As a landlord, ensuring the safety of your tenants is paramount. One crucial aspect is electrical safety. To maintain a safe environment, you must obtain an Electrical Safety Certificate. Below are the procedures involved in obtaining such a certificate:
Hire a Qualified Engineer
● Find a Competent Electrician: First, hire a registered and qualified electrician. Seek someone who is a member of a well-known professional body such as NICEIC or NAPIT.
● Check Qualifications: Ensure the electrician is qualified and authorised to conduct safe electrical inspections.
Get Your Electrical Safety Report
● Book an Inspection: Once you have selected a qualified electrician, schedule a convenient time for them to inspect your property.
● Overall Inspection: The electrician will conduct a thorough and detailed inspection of your property. This includes checking electrical wires, sockets, switches, circuit breakers and fuse boxes
Act on the Report
● Address Issues: After you have received an electrical safety report, review the report’s findings.
● Remedial Action: If the report identifies any electrical safety hazards, take immediate action, such as repairing damaged wiring, replacing faulty sockets or switches, or upgrading fuse sockets or switches.
● Hire a Qualified Electrician: If there is damage, a qualified electrician should make the necessary repairs.
Give the Tenant a Copy
● Legal Requirement: In most cases, landlords must give tenants a copy of the Electrical Safety Certificate.
● Tenant Awareness: Sharing the certificate with tenants shows your commitment to their well-being and safety.
Renew the Report When Necessary
● Periodic Checks: Periodical electrical testing is a comprehensive inspection of your home’s electrical systems and installation. Landlords are recommended to test their properties every 5 years or when there is a change of tenancy.
● Stay Updated: Track significant changes to electrical systems in your property, such as new renovations and installations.
Following these steps will ensure your rental property complies with safety electrical standards, protects tenants from dangerous electrical effects, and avoids potential legal claims.
How Electrical Test & Trace Ltd Can Help
Electrical Test & Trace Ltd offers electrical services to landlords. Our electrical installation and inspection services are committed to compliance and efficiency.
Here’s why you should hire Electrical Test & Trace Ltd:
● Expertise: Our experienced electricians are well-versed in electrical safety regulations, ensuring your property meets all the required standards.
● Efficiency: We will streamline the process by offering an electronic certificate, also known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report.
● Peace of mind: You can have peace of mind when you hire Electrical Test & Trace Ltd as our work is thorough and expertly carried out.
If you are looking for reliable electrical services, consider hiring Electrical Test & Trace Ltd.