Some Key Points About Electrical Safety
-
Recent statistics show that there are around 30 deaths and 4,000 accidents every year in the UK, which involve electrical installations. Problems could occur in your property so it is very important that you get it checked by a qualified electrician.
- When letting a property in England & Wales the landlord must ensure that the electrical installation and the equipment is safe for use.
- While there are clear benefits to checking the electrics of a property, there is no statutory requirement to have annual electrical safety checks as there is with gas installations. However given the implications, it advisable to have an electrical check as the landlord can still be liable if the electrics go wrong.
- Landlords should provide tenants with the operating and safety instructions of electrical equipment in the property.
Electricians Guide for Landlords
All electrical appliances and the electrical installation in the property should be safe and functioning correctly. While gas regulations insist upon checks to be carried periodically, there is no law that states you must have a landlord electrical safety certificate. However, if any electrical part of the electrical installation or the electrical appliances in the rental property cause harm to a tenant then the landlord could be held responsible.
Electricians advise that electrical checks are done to minimise the risks to landlords. Landlords should manage their property correctly taking into consideration the potential implications of electrical failure. If landlords manage their property badly the consequences could be significant.
Landlords should visually inspect the property or electricians can do this. Periodic checks should be completed by qualified electricians in a more detailed fashion to make sure the property is up to standard.
Electricians advice the following, which is in line with current electrical regulations:
- The electrical system should comply with the most up to date electrical and wiring regulations. Commercial regulations for landlords differ so landlords should source an electrician with competence in commercial electrical installations.
- A Residual current devise (RCD) should be fitted to the power circuits. Electricians can do an update to the fuseboard.
- Make sure that supplied appliances within the property are at a minimum.
- There will be a number of appliances in the property and they must be in correct working order. Keep all your appliance receipts so that if something does go wrong you can claim on the guarantee or prove the age of the appliance.
- If you have second hand equipment – make sure it is checked before use by an electrician.
- Operating instructions and warning notices should be provided with the appliances and the tenant should have access to these too.
- Flexes that are fitted to the appliances should be in good order. There should not be any dangerous ware and tear.
- Earth tags should be on the appliances. If you are not sure what is required here please contact an electrician to help you.
- Plugs should operate correctly too with the correct sleeved and neutral pins.
- The British Standards should be adhered to. There are many of these so contact an electrician who can show you the relevant aspects for you and your property.
- Crucially fuses should be of the correct type and rating.
- Tenants should also know some information about the electrical installation. They should have access to the main consumer unit, fuses and isolator switch.
Further advice on these electrical parts can be found by contacting a local electrician.
.
|
