Table of Contents
Faulty and poorly maintained electrical installations account for many accidents including shocks, burns, property damage, and in serious cases, death.
There are certain regulations and best practices regarding electrical installations and their proper maintenance that everyone must abide by, including landlords.
Due to the risks associated with faulty electrics, all landlords must ensure that the electrical installations in their rented properties are safe and comply with the current safety regulations.
Read on to find out what is involved in a landlord electrical inspection, how often it needs to be done, along with the legalities involved.
The Electrical Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020 which state that:
According to these regulations, all landlords must have their electrical installations checked by a trained and qualified electrical contractor every 5 years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
The landlords must:
During a landlord electrical inspection, all the fixed parts of the installations are checked which include the consumer box, circuit boards, sockets, switches, and fixtures.
The inspector will look for:
The electrical inspection is done in two parts; a visual assessment and an Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR).
The regulations do not cover electrical appliances that are not fixed such as microwaves, fridges, and televisions. For them, the landlords are recommended to carry out portable appliance testing (PAT) between 6-12 months depending on the type and use of the appliance.
A visual assessment is a simple check to ensure all the installations are up-to-date. If there are any visible signs of an issue, a thorough visual assessment should pick them up.
It should be carried out annually so that any discrepancies found between the professional inspections can be easily identified and addressed.
Visual assessments must focus on:
A few apparent warning signs of an overdue electrical inspection are:
Most electrical appliances generate heat during operation. However, when the outlets get hot, and that’s something that they should never, know that it’s time to call in the experts and have them check your system for faults.
Flickering lights are one of the earliest and most common signs of an inadequate electrical installation indicating issues with either the voltage or wiring that has become loose. If the issue is with a single fixture, it might be best to check the individual light first. However, if the issue is common throughout the property with different light fixtures, it might be a good idea to get the electrics checked.
The smell of burning, especially when its related to the house electrics, is a clear indicator of something being wrong. Odd odours, such as of burning near the sockets, is a sign that fire damage may have already started and is real cause for alarm. Sparks can also be a potentially dangerous problem and an indicator of the outlets short-circuiting with excessive heat being built up inside causing melted insulation leading to electrical fires.
If you touch an electric component and receive a shock, it is a clear sign of inadequate earthing. This goes for all kinds of installations such as light fixtures, switchboards, sockets, machines, and other electrical equipment. If you receive an electric shock, even if it’s a small one, know that it is time for a proper inspection of the system.
If you notice any of the outlets becoming loose, do not plug anything in them since they can lead to shocks and burns and also turn into a potential fire hazard. It is best to call a professional to have it fixed right away and perform an inspection of the other outlets for similar issues as well.
While messy and tangled wiring cause no specific issues on their own, they are usually an indicator of poorly done and rushed work. A skilled electrician would never leave the cables and wires in a mess.
If you see wires that look like a bird’s nest, it is best to have a thorough inspection done of the entire system because if someone can be lazy and messy enough to leave your wires in that condition, who knows what else they’ve done due to incompetence.
An EICR is more detailed than a visual assessment and the landlord must obtain it from the inspector at the end of the inspection.
It is a detailed report explaining the outcome of the inspection and any remedial work if required. If the report does not indicate any issues with the existing installation, the landlord need not take any further remedial action.
The report uses the following classifications to indicate where and if action must be taken:
If the report receives a code C1 or C2, it means that the installations are unsatisfactory and must be fixed before continuing use.
Code C3 does not indicate any remedial work per se, just recommended improvements to make the installations safer than they already are.
Once the report has been generated and the necessary corrective measures have been taken, an appropriate certificate is issued that confirms that the installations now comply with the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.
If the results of the EICR are unsatisfactory and remedial work needs to be done, landlords have up to 28 days to take action.
If no action is taken, local authorities can arrange for remedial work to be carried out with the consent of the tenant while recovering the costs from the landlord.
A financial penalty of up to £30,000 can also be imposed on the landlord if they are found to be in breach of their duty to provide a safe place for their tenants.
The regulations came into effect on 1 June 2020 and apply to all new tenancies from said date onwards and existing tenancies from 1 April 2021.
To determine when the new regulations apply to your rented property, you must check the date on which the tenancy is granted. If it is after 1 June 2020, it is considered a new tenancy.
If you are unsure about the type of tenancy and the relevant dates that apply, you may seek advice from a professional.
The regulations apply to tenants who have a right to occupy a property as their only or primary residence and pay rent, also including assured shorthold tenancies and licenses to occupy.
Exceptions include accommodations relating to healthcare such as hospitals, hospices, and care homes, along with hostels, refuges, student halls, social housing, and lodgers.
Concerning a house in multiple occupations (HMO), which is a property rented out by at least 3 people from different households/families, the regulations apply if the HMO is the tenant’s only or primary residence and they pay rent.
HMOs were previously not covered by the Electrical Safety Regulations but are now required by the law to abide by them.
There are obvious benefits to why landlords must get their electrical installations regularly inspected. They are:
Fires are a serious hazard with the majority of domestic fires caused by electrical faults. They can amount to substantial losses in terms of property and life. Electrical fires can be avoided by conducting regular inspections of all the electrical installations to ensure there are no major, or even minor faults that could lead to something so serious.
Faulty wiring means faulty operations. You can’t expect to use any of your electrical appliances and machinery efficiently with a bad electrical system powering them. Faulty and inadequate installations can also unnecessarily add to your electricity bill despite you not consuming that much energy. A good, thorough electrical inspection will discover all such issues and help with making the system more efficient.
Other than causing inefficiencies in your system, electrical faults can cause your appliances to malfunction due to power surges and outages. They can sometimes even cause long-term damage to expensive machinery causing them to stop working completely. You can’t possibly attach a power stabilizer with every piece of electric equipment you own, which is why it is so important to deal with these issues before they cause substantial damage.
According to safety laws and regulations, it is your responsibility as a landlord to have all your electrical installations checked regularly for any signs of damage or defect. All electrical installations must comply with the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.
Electrical installations and wiring deteriorate over time with constant wear and tear making regular inspections a necessity to identify any faults and fix them before they become a safety hazard.
All landlords must prepare for the regulations by ensuring they have an up-to-date Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before April 2021.
Although the date seems far away at the moment, the commotion surrounding the new regulations is sure to cause an influx of demand and a shortage in the supply of skilled and qualified electricians in the month’s leading up to it.
Therefore, to avoid putting yourself and your property at risk, you must book your EICR as soon as you can with an electrical company you can trust. Once you have the EICR and safety certificate in your hands, you’ll be at ease knowing your property is safe and compliant with the law.
WHO CAN CARRY OUT AN ELECTRICAL INSPECTION OF YOUR RENTED PROPERTY?
The law states that landlords must have their electrical installations inspected by a trained and qualified electrical contractor to rule out any possibilities of electricity-related faults leading to injuries and accidents.
At Calder Electrical Services, we offer a wide range of installation, maintenance, and testing services for all kinds of domestic, rented, commercial, and industrial properties.
Our experienced NICEIC registered electrical contractors are here to deliver a professional and high-quality service following the current wiring regulations.
Our testing and inspection services include:
It is a requirement under the Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public. This is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals, which can range from 3-5 years.
Our experts can run various tests to find faults in your commercial property’s electrical system through an EICR and help prevent any accidents and injuries by recommending remedial work to fix the faults ASAP.
It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5-10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.
Our experts can conduct a thorough visual assessment to identify any clear signs of damage along with a detailed EICR where each circuit is tested and inspected to make sure it is not deteriorating and is safe to use.
If you are currently private renting to a tenant, you will need to make sure that the electrical installations within the property are safe for use.
Our experts can provide a Landlords Safety Certificate to identify any issues and to make sure your property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations. You will need to carry out a landlord electrical inspection every 5 years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring such as ovens, kettles, and microwaves, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises. It is recommended that they are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.
Get in touch with us for our professional testing and inspection services to keep your property secure from the risks of faulty electrical installations and appliances.
Photo by Andrei Ianovskii on Unsplash
Faulty and poorly maintained electrical installations account for many accidents including shocks, burns, property damage, and in serious cases, death.
There are certain regulations and best practices regarding electrical installations and their proper maintenance that everyone must abide by, including landlords.
Due to the risks associated with faulty electrics, all landlords must ensure that the electrical installations in their rented properties are safe and comply with the current safety regulations.
Read on to find out what is involved in a landlord electrical inspection, how often it needs to be done, along with the legalities involved.
The Electrical Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020 which state that:
According to these regulations, all landlords must have their electrical installations checked by a trained and qualified electrical contractor every 5 years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
The landlords must:
During a landlord electrical inspection, all the fixed parts of the installations are checked which include the consumer box, circuit boards, sockets, switches, and fixtures.
The inspector will look for:
The electrical inspection is done in two parts; a visual assessment and an Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR).
The regulations do not cover electrical appliances that are not fixed such as microwaves, fridges, and televisions. For them, the landlords are recommended to carry out portable appliance testing (PAT) between 6-12 months depending on the type and use of the appliance.
A visual assessment is a simple check to ensure all the installations are up-to-date. If there are any visible signs of an issue, a thorough visual assessment should pick them up.
It should be carried out annually so that any discrepancies found between the professional inspections can be easily identified and addressed.
Visual assessments must focus on:
A few apparent warning signs of an overdue electrical inspection are:
Most electrical appliances generate heat during operation. However, when the outlets get hot, and that’s something that they should never, know that it’s time to call in the experts and have them check your system for faults.
Flickering lights are one of the earliest and most common signs of an inadequate electrical installation indicating issues with either the voltage or wiring that has become loose. If the issue is with a single fixture, it might be best to check the individual light first. However, if the issue is common throughout the property with different light fixtures, it might be a good idea to get the electrics checked.
The smell of burning, especially when its related to the house electrics, is a clear indicator of something being wrong. Odd odours, such as of burning near the sockets, is a sign that fire damage may have already started and is real cause for alarm. Sparks can also be a potentially dangerous problem and an indicator of the outlets short-circuiting with excessive heat being built up inside causing melted insulation leading to electrical fires.
If you touch an electric component and receive a shock, it is a clear sign of inadequate earthing. This goes for all kinds of installations such as light fixtures, switchboards, sockets, machines, and other electrical equipment. If you receive an electric shock, even if it’s a small one, know that it is time for a proper inspection of the system.
If you notice any of the outlets becoming loose, do not plug anything in them since they can lead to shocks and burns and also turn into a potential fire hazard. It is best to call a professional to have it fixed right away and perform an inspection of the other outlets for similar issues as well.
While messy and tangled wiring cause no specific issues on their own, they are usually an indicator of poorly done and rushed work. A skilled electrician would never leave the cables and wires in a mess.
If you see wires that look like a bird’s nest, it is best to have a thorough inspection done of the entire system because if someone can be lazy and messy enough to leave your wires in that condition, who knows what else they’ve done due to incompetence.
An EICR is more detailed than a visual assessment and the landlord must obtain it from the inspector at the end of the inspection.
It is a detailed report explaining the outcome of the inspection and any remedial work if required. If the report does not indicate any issues with the existing installation, the landlord need not take any further remedial action.
The report uses the following classifications to indicate where and if action must be taken:
If the report receives a code C1 or C2, it means that the installations are unsatisfactory and must be fixed before continuing use.
Code C3 does not indicate any remedial work per se, just recommended improvements to make the installations safer than they already are.
Once the report has been generated and the necessary corrective measures have been taken, an appropriate certificate is issued that confirms that the installations now comply with the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.
If the results of the EICR are unsatisfactory and remedial work needs to be done, landlords have up to 28 days to take action.
If no action is taken, local authorities can arrange for remedial work to be carried out with the consent of the tenant while recovering the costs from the landlord.
A financial penalty of up to £30,000 can also be imposed on the landlord if they are found to be in breach of their duty to provide a safe place for their tenants.
The regulations came into effect on 1 June 2020 and apply to all new tenancies from said date onwards and existing tenancies from 1 April 2021.
To determine when the new regulations apply to your rented property, you must check the date on which the tenancy is granted. If it is after 1 June 2020, it is considered a new tenancy.
If you are unsure about the type of tenancy and the relevant dates that apply, you may seek advice from a professional.
The regulations apply to tenants who have a right to occupy a property as their only or primary residence and pay rent, also including assured shorthold tenancies and licenses to occupy.
Exceptions include accommodations relating to healthcare such as hospitals, hospices, and care homes, along with hostels, refuges, student halls, social housing, and lodgers.
Concerning a house in multiple occupations (HMO), which is a property rented out by at least 3 people from different households/families, the regulations apply if the HMO is the tenant’s only or primary residence and they pay rent.
HMOs were previously not covered by the Electrical Safety Regulations but are now required by the law to abide by them.
There are obvious benefits to why landlords must get their electrical installations regularly inspected. They are:
Fires are a serious hazard with the majority of domestic fires caused by electrical faults. They can amount to substantial losses in terms of property and life. Electrical fires can be avoided by conducting regular inspections of all the electrical installations to ensure there are no major, or even minor faults that could lead to something so serious.
Faulty wiring means faulty operations. You can’t expect to use any of your electrical appliances and machinery efficiently with a bad electrical system powering them. Faulty and inadequate installations can also unnecessarily add to your electricity bill despite you not consuming that much energy. A good, thorough electrical inspection will discover all such issues and help with making the system more efficient.
Other than causing inefficiencies in your system, electrical faults can cause your appliances to malfunction due to power surges and outages. They can sometimes even cause long-term damage to expensive machinery causing them to stop working completely. You can’t possibly attach a power stabilizer with every piece of electric equipment you own, which is why it is so important to deal with these issues before they cause substantial damage.
According to safety laws and regulations, it is your responsibility as a landlord to have all your electrical installations checked regularly for any signs of damage or defect. All electrical installations must comply with the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.
Electrical installations and wiring deteriorate over time with constant wear and tear making regular inspections a necessity to identify any faults and fix them before they become a safety hazard.
All landlords must prepare for the regulations by ensuring they have an up-to-date Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before April 2021.
Although the date seems far away at the moment, the commotion surrounding the new regulations is sure to cause an influx of demand and a shortage in the supply of skilled and qualified electricians in the month’s leading up to it.
Therefore, to avoid putting yourself and your property at risk, you must book your EICR as soon as you can with an electrical company you can trust. Once you have the EICR and safety certificate in your hands, you’ll be at ease knowing your property is safe and compliant with the law.
WHO CAN CARRY OUT AN ELECTRICAL INSPECTION OF YOUR RENTED PROPERTY?
The law states that landlords must have their electrical installations inspected by a trained and qualified electrical contractor to rule out any possibilities of electricity-related faults leading to injuries and accidents.
At Calder Electrical Services, we offer a wide range of installation, maintenance, and testing services for all kinds of domestic, rented, commercial, and industrial properties.
Our experienced NICEIC registered electrical contractors are here to deliver a professional and high-quality service following the current wiring regulations.
Our testing and inspection services include:
It is a requirement under the Electricity of Work Act 1989 that as a business or commercial space, you must make sure that the electrical installations are deemed safe for use by your employees and the public. This is done by carrying out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at regular intervals, which can range from 3-5 years.
Our experts can run various tests to find faults in your commercial property’s electrical system through an EICR and help prevent any accidents and injuries by recommending remedial work to fix the faults ASAP.
It is recommended in the wiring regulations BS 7671 that a domestic property must be regularly inspected and tested after an electrical installation every 5-10 years, or if you are buying/selling the property.
Our experts can conduct a thorough visual assessment to identify any clear signs of damage along with a detailed EICR where each circuit is tested and inspected to make sure it is not deteriorating and is safe to use.
If you are currently private renting to a tenant, you will need to make sure that the electrical installations within the property are safe for use.
Our experts can provide a Landlords Safety Certificate to identify any issues and to make sure your property is safe for use and up to electrical standards and regulations. You will need to carry out a landlord electrical inspection every 5 years or whenever there is a change in tenancy.
Portable Appliance Testing tests items that are not part of the fixed wiring such as ovens, kettles, and microwaves, and so do not fall under the electrical testing of the premises. It is recommended that they are tested between 3-12 months depending on the type and usage of the item.
Get in touch with us for our professional testing and inspection services to keep your property secure from the risks of faulty electrical installations and appliances.
Photo by Andrei Ianovskii on Unsplash
