There lies within property ownership a responsibility to tenants to make sure that they are safe. Indeed, it’s an obligation, and it’s a legal responsibility too.

Landlords must comply with the Electrical Safety regulations. They must have “the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every five years”.

A copy of the electrical safety report must be provided to tenants, and also to a local authority (like the council) if requested.

Can Anyone do an Inspection?

No. As the guidelines say, the inspection must be carried out by a competent person who is registered to do so. Our Property Management team have a list of approved contractors who are able to carry out these inspections. 

What do the Inspections Cover?

Inspections are not about fridges of kettles or other small appliances or white goods. What they about are the fixed electrical things like plug sockets and lights, and also showers if they are electric and permanently fixed.

Tests will see if everything is safe or if there is a risk of fire or an electric shock. It’s pretty easy to see why an inspection needs to be done – and that is to protect life and property. Depending on what an inspection finds, action may or may not be required. Landlords must then carry out the work within a specified time, and there must be written evidence of this.

What Happens if Electrics Remain Unsafe?

Responsible landlords will want to get any electrical issues fixed and will take action to make good anything highlighted in the inspection report immediately. In the guidelines, if work is not carried out, local councils have the authority to serve a remedial notice on a landlord who must then get the job done. If they don’t, and the council is confident that landlord duties have been breached, it can inform the landlord that it intends to impose a fixed penalty – and this could be up to £30,000.

It makes good business sense to ensure properties are inspected.

If you are a landlord and have any queries at all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Get in touch with us and we’ll run through the details with you.