It is a landlord's responsibility to ensure that they are aware of their duties and obligations regarding electrical safety. These responsibilities come from the following regulations:
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Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
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Consumer Protection Act 1987
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Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
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Building Regulations 2000
A landlord must ensure that all electrical installation and electrical appliances are safe to use with little risk of injury or death to humans or risk of damage to property. This applies throughout the whole of the tenancy.
This includes:
- labelling, construction, design and manufacture
- insulation and earthing
- protection from electric shock
- adequate guards for radiant heaters or moving parts
- the need to provide instruction for safe use.
Furnished properties
Particular care should be taken when renting a furnished property, all mains voltage electrical goods that are supplied should be brand new or be tested by a qualified electrician at the beginning of each tenancy.
Protect yourself
It is recommended by the Electrical Safety Council that a regular formal inspection is undertaken of both the installation and appliances on an annual basis.
For more information from the Electrical Safety Council click here
There is, however, no statutory legal requirement to have an annual safety check as there is with gas, however, the Institution of Electrical Engineers recommends a formal periodic inspection and test to be carried out on the installation at least every 10 years, or when there is a new tenant. A periodic inspection should be carried out by a suitably qualified person and a certificate is given which should be retained by the landlord.